If you didn't live through the late 60s/early 70s, you have no idea how BIG Kurt Vonnegut was at the time. Reading SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE was required of all cool students, probably second only to LORD OF THE RINGS. I read this book, then devoured all his earlier books, but eventually tired of his work.
Over 35 years have passed since I read the book, so I can't comment on how true the film is to the book's narrative, but I have to say that I can't imagine the job being done any better than this. What makes it work is the careful way the director and editor set up the transitions between scenes/eras; even though it doesn't make sense LOGICALLY it makes a lot of sense with visuals and sound. The Dresden scenes really make the war come alive, and even Tralfamadore looks great! The scenes of the Pilgrim family at various times in their lives can be a little confusing, but you just need to relax and go with the flow.
For me, the weakest link in the film was Michael Sacks and the make-up artists who attempted to send him through time. He simply doesn't have the screen presence or the acting skills to hold a film like this together, and the bad "middle-aged-man" makeup looked like it came from a high school play. The minor characters are much more memorable, especially Eugene Roche and Valerie Perrine, Ron Liebman and the debuting Perry King.
Vonnegut remained a venerated icon until his death, but I don't think his drawing power lasted beyond the 1970s. He became one of those authors whom you're supposed to respect, but whose books you probably haven't read. His most enduring piece of work is the short story "Harrison Bergeron" which shows up in many high school literature anthologies, and which probably seems very non-PC in today's educational system. But in 1972, he was the king, and this film will give you a glimpse of why.
Over 35 years have passed since I read the book, so I can't comment on how true the film is to the book's narrative, but I have to say that I can't imagine the job being done any better than this. What makes it work is the careful way the director and editor set up the transitions between scenes/eras; even though it doesn't make sense LOGICALLY it makes a lot of sense with visuals and sound. The Dresden scenes really make the war come alive, and even Tralfamadore looks great! The scenes of the Pilgrim family at various times in their lives can be a little confusing, but you just need to relax and go with the flow.
For me, the weakest link in the film was Michael Sacks and the make-up artists who attempted to send him through time. He simply doesn't have the screen presence or the acting skills to hold a film like this together, and the bad "middle-aged-man" makeup looked like it came from a high school play. The minor characters are much more memorable, especially Eugene Roche and Valerie Perrine, Ron Liebman and the debuting Perry King.
Vonnegut remained a venerated icon until his death, but I don't think his drawing power lasted beyond the 1970s. He became one of those authors whom you're supposed to respect, but whose books you probably haven't read. His most enduring piece of work is the short story "Harrison Bergeron" which shows up in many high school literature anthologies, and which probably seems very non-PC in today's educational system. But in 1972, he was the king, and this film will give you a glimpse of why.