Fahrenheit 451 (1966)

Fahrenheit 451
Directed by Francois Truffaut
Written by Francois Truffaut And Jean-Louis Richard from a novel by Ray Bradbury
1966/UK
Anglo Enterprises/Vineyard Film Ltd.
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental

[box] The Captain: Robinson Crusoe, the Negroes didn’t like that because of his man, Friday. And Nietzsche, Nietzsche, the Jews didn’t like Nietzsche. Here’s a book about lung cancer. You see, all the cigarette smokers got into a panic, so for everybody’s peace of mind, we burn it.[/box]

Francois Truffaut’s first and only English-language film seems even more relevant in the age of political correctness.

It is sometime in the near future.  Montag (Oskar Werner) is a fireman. which in this time and place means that he burns things – mostly books.  Montag is married to Linda (Julie Christie) who spends all her time glued to reality shows on their widescreen TV.  She is completely brain-washed.  After one of his jobs, Montag meets free-spirited schoolteacher Clarisse (also Julie Christie) and becomes intrigued with the books he is burning.

Can love and literature survive in a world dominated by Big Brother?  With Cyril Cusak as the head of the fire brigade.

Fahrenheit 451 was required reading in my youth.  So much so that I’m not sure whether I’ve seen the movie before or was just reminded of the book.  It is visually stunning but I think Truffaut was better suited to more delicate, personal material.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9iyKI2pJbE

Clip