Post by manfromplanetx on Sept 14, 2017 21:25:03 GMT
“It is a film about children, not explicitly for them”, said the director Jonathan Miller.
His personal adaptation of Alice in Wonderland was first broadcast on the BBC at a late night hour.in Dec 1966. Such a timeslot and a fresh approach towards the famous classic caused a scandal and scathing comments in the press who labelled the film, “a travesty”
Millers adaptation however was not a travesty but is actually a very loyal adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s story, almost all of the dialogue comes from the book, with only a few improvised lines by some of the actors.
The film is a stylish fusion of 1960s counter-culture and dark Victorian drama with gothic and bohemian overtones.
Creatively filmed in stark black-and-white with dizzying & haunting perspectives, complete with a knockout Ravi Shankar’s sitar soundtrack which pulsates throughout.
That drifting essence of dreaming is masterly portrayed by Miller, the dreamscape and surreal atmosphere becomes a Victorian child's nightmarish excursion into a realm of pointless and disturbing madness.
Gone are the mandatory animal heads and costumes for the actors as seen in previous versions; gone almost completely are any moments of childhood whimsy, or wondrous gaiety.
Miller justified the actors dressed not in costumes but in period clothes saying that the animal names could be interpreted as nicknames for persons as well ... "Once you take the animal heads off, you begin to see what it's all about. A small child, surrounded by hurrying, worried people, thinking 'Is that what being grown up is like?"
Supported by cast of prominent British actors, the perfect choice for an alienated Victorian child, was 13 year old Anne-Marie Mallik this was her first and only film role ever.
A solemn young girl she appears rather expressionless, but never dull, with an indignant air she gives as good as she gets, talking almost impatiently and harshly to the Wonderland characters, who seem mostly to have only silly things to say, much like adults in her real life.
This brilliant interpretation/adaptation of Alice in Wonderland in just about every scene keeps us on edge visually, aurally, logically and emotionally , just as we are in our own dreams, a remarkable artistic achievement from Miller and crew.
The 1933 Hollywood version tragically for al its visual splendour and top cast lacks substance
Do you have any thoughts on interpretations, fav versions of Lewis Carroll's 1865 fantasy Alice in Wonderland ?
His personal adaptation of Alice in Wonderland was first broadcast on the BBC at a late night hour.in Dec 1966. Such a timeslot and a fresh approach towards the famous classic caused a scandal and scathing comments in the press who labelled the film, “a travesty”
Millers adaptation however was not a travesty but is actually a very loyal adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s story, almost all of the dialogue comes from the book, with only a few improvised lines by some of the actors.
The film is a stylish fusion of 1960s counter-culture and dark Victorian drama with gothic and bohemian overtones.
Creatively filmed in stark black-and-white with dizzying & haunting perspectives, complete with a knockout Ravi Shankar’s sitar soundtrack which pulsates throughout.
That drifting essence of dreaming is masterly portrayed by Miller, the dreamscape and surreal atmosphere becomes a Victorian child's nightmarish excursion into a realm of pointless and disturbing madness.
Gone are the mandatory animal heads and costumes for the actors as seen in previous versions; gone almost completely are any moments of childhood whimsy, or wondrous gaiety.
Miller justified the actors dressed not in costumes but in period clothes saying that the animal names could be interpreted as nicknames for persons as well ... "Once you take the animal heads off, you begin to see what it's all about. A small child, surrounded by hurrying, worried people, thinking 'Is that what being grown up is like?"
Supported by cast of prominent British actors, the perfect choice for an alienated Victorian child, was 13 year old Anne-Marie Mallik this was her first and only film role ever.
A solemn young girl she appears rather expressionless, but never dull, with an indignant air she gives as good as she gets, talking almost impatiently and harshly to the Wonderland characters, who seem mostly to have only silly things to say, much like adults in her real life.
This brilliant interpretation/adaptation of Alice in Wonderland in just about every scene keeps us on edge visually, aurally, logically and emotionally , just as we are in our own dreams, a remarkable artistic achievement from Miller and crew.
The 1933 Hollywood version tragically for al its visual splendour and top cast lacks substance
Do you have any thoughts on interpretations, fav versions of Lewis Carroll's 1865 fantasy Alice in Wonderland ?