: Lathe of Heaven
Far superior version of the film. According to the DVD, this was the first film every made for PBS. It’s amazingly high-tech for 1979, especially since it only cost $250,000. The script is much better in this version, with the dialog being much more interesting, conveying both character and plot. And the 2002 version left out critical details from the book, such as the invasion of the aliens. The aliens might seem silly or B-movie to some, but they’re critical to the story because they show us the ultimate, fantastical power of harnessing the man’s dreams to change the universe. By showing us that power, and the way it can be turned against us, we realize how dangerous it is manipulating reality through the dreams of another. Fascinating stuff. This version made it clearer that the doctor did know the man was telling the truth — his dreams did change reality, he wasn’t crazy — but that left me confused as to why and how, since supposedly everyone else forgot that the world had ever been different. The film has its flaws, but it’s still well above average, and amazing considering the complex subject and the budget and the year. The new version had a bigger budget and better special effects, but wasn’t as good.
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