Fahrenheit 451 (1966)

Director:

François Truffaut

Writers:

Ray Bradbury (novel)
François Truffaut (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

14 November 1966 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Aflame with the excitement and emotions of tomorrow!

Plot:

In an oppressive future, a fireman whose duty is to destroy all books begins to question his task.

Plot Keywords:

Book | Fireman | Future | Television | Book Burning

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Fri. Jan. 1

10:00 PM

TCM

Cast

Oskar Werner	...	Guy Montag
Julie Christie	...	Clarisse / Linda Montag
Cyril Cusack	...	The Captain
Anton Diffring	...	Fabian / Headmistress
Jeremy Spenser	...	Man with the Apple
Bee Duffell	...	Book Woman
Alex Scott	...	Book Person: 'The Life of Henry Brulard'
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Noel Davis	...	Cousin Midge - TV Personality

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:12 | USA:Unrated | Singapore:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Black Park, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Anglo Enterprises

Trivia:

Because François Truffaut had so much trouble with the leading actor, Oskar Werner, he said that if he hasn't wasted six years into making this film that he would have left the set like a shot.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Montag gets in the boat to hide from the flying cops, you can see the rope still tying the boat to the bank. Montag subsequently rows away with out untying it.

Quotes:

Guy Montag: [holding a book in his hand] Behind each of these books, there's a man. That's what interests me.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Making of 'Fahrenheit 451' (2003) (V)

A cautionary tale for our times

My first viewing of "Fahrenheit 451" since its initial relase ca. 1966 was last night, via DVD. I highly recommend this DVD version--it includes excellent bonus material, including a moving account of composer Bernard Herrman's role in making the film.

I rated the film a "9" despite not being a big Truffaut fan; there's something about the "feel" of his movies that makes me fidgety and leaves me dissatisfied. But that same feel seems just right in this atypical piece of his--he felt he had failed to make the movie right, and he had difficulties with it that are explained in the bonus material. I think what resulted was an unsuspected and unintended success, instead.

Now more than ever in recent history, we face problems with individual liberties that are uncannily reflected in this film. Watch it as a cautionary tale, as a visually stunning experience, and as an example of some of the best film music ever composed: but watch it. I think you'll be glad you did.