The Lathe of Heaven

source: The Lathe of Heaven

The Lathe of Heaven

When I saw this film I was very impressed by Bruce Davidson. He brought a purity to the role. Being a member of the sci-fi community I have often asked people about this film and I am surprised by how many of them have never seen it. I think it was a wonderful interpretation of the book.

I remember seeing Lathe of Heaven when it was on our ;local PBS station way back in 1979 and remembered liking it alot. Now that it is at last available on video and DVD, I can definitely say that it is one of the best science fiction films of all time (and you'll note I do NOT say "Sci-Fi"). For once we get to see a science fiction film that doesn't rely too much on special effects and shows SF is more than "rockets and rayguns". As a bonus, there is a superb interview with Ursula K. LeGuin. See it today!!!

I find it hard to believe that a film this popular is out of reach. This was one of the few films that leaves the viewer rethinking one's philosophy about the future, the past, the present, and human kind!! Did I dream it? Is there some strange power that prevents us from sharing it with others? Was it meant to be seen by a few chosen people who let it into their collective souls and minds? I'm not crazy! What if the Augmenter is at work here? Dream well tonight..under the other moons light..remember the lessons..reserved for our sight..it may be forever..or later tonight..that this films message..finally takes flight. Everyone who mentions this film feels changed at least a little by it. Lets find out if its meant to be seen again. We must stop the Augmenter and change the future. Lets see it again!! Ha! Dream on!!

I seen this movie when it first came out and couldn't remember the title for over 20 years yet its content and story stuck with me all these years. I was given the name of if it when I described the story premise on Sci-fi Channels Bboard web page and a member wrote back what it was. I was quite please since now I know what to look for. This movie is true classic Science Fiction right up there with Forbidden Planet and many others and has had a profound effect on my concepts and perception of reality and recommend it not only to sci-fi enthusiasts but people who are into psychology studies too. Movies like The Lathe of Heaven, Brazil, and other such psycho-dramas can help us to understand ourselves in very unconventional ways.

I just saw this movie after a mere 20 year hiatus. I wondered what I'd think of it after so many years. The answer is I liked it a lot. I won't go into any details as they have been amply covered already. I will just say that it was thought provoking and my wife and I talked about it for a couple of hours afterward.

The Lathe of Heaven has just been re-released. It's being shown on many PBS stations, and is also now on video. This was all due to high fan demand. This is a dreamy, scary sci-fi flick with strong moral lessons. It's almost like a play: set mostly in one place, with only three characters involved. The special effects aren't stunning, but they're perfectly effective. The story is wildly original: what would the world be like if your dreams all came true- not your daydreams, but the uncontrollable ones at night?

I saw this film when it first came out on PBS in 1980. Having lived in Dallas, Texas at the time, I saw a lot of places that I recognized (the doctor's offices are actually the Dallas City Hall, for example.) This freaked me out even more than it would have if I had lived in say, Houston. The film itself is about a man who can manipulate reality by his dreams. A psychologist tries to steer him in the right direction, but only makes things a mess. It was thought provoking and very fascinating. There were a lot of Campbellian metaphors in it. Stranger still is that the author of the original novel only gave one interview in her life, that being to Bill Moyers. Sadly, there was a remake on this film's 20th anniversary in 2000. The remake is nowhere near the quality of the original.

When I first saw "The Lathe of Heaven" back in the 80s on PBS while in high school, I was completely mesmerized and blown away. This wasn't because of special effects, lasers or destructive monsters, but because of the psychological element of control and power that plagues the mind. Based on the phenomenal book by Ursula Le Guin, the film does the book justice. Though, in the end, a book is a book and a movie is a movie, lovers of the novel will not be disappointed. If you love a great story, full of conflict, tension and surprises, you will enjoy this romp through the mind of George Orr and his inherent angst and strife. For me, this is one of the most potent science fiction tales of all time, if not one of the most thought-provoking stories ever told. Regardless, don't miss out on the amazing book and Le Guin's remarkable imagination.