was this movie based on a book?
Can someone let me know if this movie was adapted from a book?
If so what is the name of the book?
Yes, a book by the same nmae. I have only read the book, in fact, and would be very interested in seeing the movie. Is it easy to find?
shareI've read the book twice and really enjoyed it (obviously). Funny that it came out so long ago, I read it about 7 years ago for the first time and within a week of each other, two people log onto IMDB with the same question - is it easy to find as a movie because I haven't seen it. I can't seem to find it, though.
i remember seeing his movie when it was released ,and yes itis on vhs ,saw it once in a video store in late 80's,still kicking myself for not buying it
shareI saw it on VHS in the early 1990s. It doesn't seem to be out on DVD yet. Too bad. It's no classic but it's OK. The book though is much better--I read it a few times in the 1970s.
shareYes, the book is a lot better. It goes into so much detail of Dr. Proud discovering layer by layer his past life as Jeff Chapin. Another interesting scene was Dr. Proud going to a clairvoyant (sp) who led him though a past live regression session. In each of his past lives, Dr. Proud had experienced the same type of injury that he currently had and the same type of death. I think this scene would have been excellent in the movie. both the book and movie were eerie in their own way.
shareHi Austin. You're right about thost parts in the book--I had forgotten about them. Maybe we'll see the book and movie back out one of these days.
sharePreppy, I agree- It's time for a remake, or continuation.
shareRemake definetely. The original was more interested in female nudity than anything else. A continuation--that would be an interesting idea! I remember when I saw it at a theatre--one woman behind me said "Is he going to get reincarnated again?"
BTW, the book is available on Amazon.com. I ordered a copy for one cent!
I'm so jealous, Preppy! I think I paid about $5 bucks on ebay for the book!! In regards to a continuation, hey, this guy can simply be reincarnated forever- I guess the story never has to end.
shareSorry!:) But the books is worth $5.00. If it's any consolation I AM paying $3.95 shipping and handling--LOL. Also you're right--the story could go on again and again. A sequel to this would be real interesting. Who knows--they might do a remake. Hollywood seems to love doing a remake of EVERYTHING these days.
shareI just read the book, and it explains why the film includes the scene with Margot Kidder in the bathtub.
In the novel, it's explained in some detail that Marcia's attraction to Jeff was highly physical and sexual (and vice versa), so much so that she was still drawn to him even after he had cheated on her and humiliated her. She loathed him, but was still intensely drawn to him physically. Ultimately, killing him was the only way to get him out of her life, and even that didn't work (she was still obsessing about him years later, before Peter Proud showed up).
This would have been hard to explain in a film without a lot of filler dialogue. The bathtub scene is effective in showing that she still fantasizes about Jeff even as she's remembering his brutal treatment of her.
I understand that some viewers were put off by this, but I think it plays a legitimate part in the story. I first saw the film when it premiered back in 1975, and it was clear to me what was going on. The book just goes into fuller detail.
If you liked the movie, the book is well worth reading. Max Ehrlich is no John Steinbeck, but the story is well paced and vivid, and has a lot of interesting ideas that didn't make it into the film. Proud is a professor of Indian history; both he and Jeff Chapin are part Indian; and there's a tradition in some Eastern tribes that when you have a dream, you should make that dream come true. This is part of what impels Peter to take that swim in the lake.
I have read the book several times going back to the mid 70s when it first came out and have seen the movie. The book goes into greater detail. I got the feeling, however, that his reincarnation life ends with this life. The reason is that with this life he is able to find out about his past where in his previous lives he has no clue. This is also the only life where he encounters people he actually knew from his previous life. Also, when you look at his ascension in social status he begins his lives journeys at the low end of the spectrum until he reaches his current status, that of a university professor who lives a very comfortable life. This lays the foundation of a interesting discussion, if reincarnation does exist, do we also begin our lives journey's at the low end until we finally reach a supreme status, such as a great leader, thinker, or doer? General George S. Patton believed he fought battles during the roman era which culminated with his final life as the greatest field general during World War II. If the notion of reincarnation is correct then I still have many lives to live...
shareI agree with this assessment. I believe that some souls are well integrated towards their end of time here. The glories of this earth have passed away, sort of speak, and are no longer desired. The focus is as much on what's beyond our grasp as what was once in it. I've been told I came back to give a little more and then (hopefully) it's nirvana. It sounds like a good enough plan to me.
shareI was once told I have an 'old soul'--possibly on my last incarnation--and I've done anything but rise to highest level on the spectrum, but that could be because I adopted the philosophy of Taoism, and choose to live simply. Of course, I don't necessarily believe in reincarnation anyway.
BTW, I've read the book six times. It [i]is a good read. Thought provoking, even if you don't believe in reincarnation.
Thank you and appreciate your contribution.
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