MovieChat Forums > Fahrenheit 451 (1966) Discussion > Prophetic Film

Prophetic Film

posted 7 years ago by lordnimbo
2 replies | jump to latest

Many of the discussion threads touched upon what 'I' see in this film, regarding where 'we' have ended up, and are heading to.

But, I'd like to discuss what I have noticed, now that 45 years have passed since I first watched the film (Science Fiction week on the ABC 4:30 movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2es-lfRSDOI).

The large 'flatscreen' TV, and the focus of it within the home (is any other part of the house ever used ?) and the leading dialogue of the 'cousins' scene reflecting today's 'main stream media' providing more 'context' than 'news content' in an attempt to 'guide you' to 'their' conclusions.

The people on the modern 'mass transit' (the monorail), though not having the modern implements (Iphones, MP3 players, etc) in the film, are solitary and unsocial. Sounds, music and conversation are not shared with those around you.

Persecution of teachers who do not 'fit in' or teach the students in the prescribed/approved manner.

And, at least in the film version, the subtle indication that the 'elite' (or upper echelons) are fully aware of that which the 'lower' classes are not to see or know. Montag's boss (the Captain) reveals that he knows all about the books they are burning, as he mentions the plot of each one being thrown into the fire.

Like many of the other SciFi books I read earlier in life (or were written post-WWII, such as Heinlein's contributions), I see it as a warning of what we were to stay alert for, while others have used them as 'how to' guides....

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Well said, especially here in the UK.

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

I had a GF who was expected to read Fahrenheit 451 for a community college class. She didn't and was delighted I had a DVD copy of the F451 movie at that time (15 years ago).
Once it started, she began deriding it for being B&W and corny. Sure, it's a product of it's time, maybe it's not a timeless classic, but it's a very good film in it's own right, and I was annoyed she wouldn't just absorb it and get what they were trying to convey. She was lucky I had it.
She got in trouble with the law soon after and left the state for greener and safer pastures, where she likely made the same mistakes and had to move somewhere else again. She seemed sweet. but she was a wild child, a "free liver" was how one friend put it