10 Kurt Vonnegut films
February 9th 2007 07:47
I think Kurt Vonnegut is one of the greatest writers ever. Quite a few other people share my sentiments, as he has been adapted for film and television more than a couple of times. Unfortunately, none of the results have been suitably popular or spectacular - the most well-known adaptation probably being George Roy Hill's respectable film of 'Slaughterhouse 5'. Anyway, I thought I would put together a short guide/list of Kurt Vonnegut-related films. I should point out that I haven't seen any of these (they're not exactly the easiest of things to find), so I have no opinion on any of these to really state. I'm just making a list...
Happy Birthday, Wanda June
The first proper adaptation of a Vonnegut work was this 1971 film version of his play 'Happy Birthday, Wanda June' - a story of a father's return home after 7 years of absence. The film starred Rod Steiger, two years on from his Oscar win. Susannah York and Don Murray also featured.
Between Time and Timbuktu
A 90-minute television adaptation of another Vonnegut play, aired in 1971 and virtually never seen again. No one of real note appeared. Focused on a astronaut/poet who travels through time.
Slaughterhouse 5
George Roy Hill (the Oscar-winning director of 'The Sting', 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' and 'Slap Shot') directed this 1972 adaptation of Vonnegut's most famous novel. It probably remains the most well-thought of of all the various films to have been made from Vonnegut's seemingly unfilmable novels. 'Slaughterhouse 5' is a combination of time-travelling science fiction and tragic war film.
Slapstick (of Another Kind)
This early 80s sci-fi parody is alleged to be based on Vonnegut's 1976 novel 'Slapstick, or Lonesome No More'. Apparently the two works bear only a few superficial similarities to one another, the film existing as very much a mangled and Hollywood-ised version of Vonnegut's book. Jerry Lewis, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldmen, Merv Griffin and Pat Morita all appear. Orson Welles also provided some vocal work.
Who Am I This Time?
A 60 minute television movie based on Vonnegut's short story of the same name (which can be found in the collection, 'Welcome to the Monkey House'). It starred Christopher Walken as Harry Nash, a shy small-town guy who takes part in a local theatre production. During the production he is transformed into the character he is playing, and a new girl in town (played by Susan Sarandon) subsequently falls in love with him. Sounds interesting. Directed by Jonathan Demme.
Displaced Person
Also known as 'D.P.', this 1985 Emmy-award winning 60-minute telemovie was also based on a short story that can be found in the Vonnegut collection, 'Welcome to the Monkey House'. Set during World War II, it focused on a black German oprhan boy who attaches himself to a black American soldier (the only other black person he has ever seen).
Monkey House
A short-lived 1991 television series based on assorted Vonnegut short stories. Frank Lagella and Madeline Kahn both appeared.
Harrison Bergeron
A full-length 1995 telemovie based on another short story that can be found in 'Welcome to the Monkey House'. This is a dystopian science-fiction tale that features Sean Astin in the title role, along with appearances from Eugene Levy, Hayden Christensen and Christopher Plummer.
Mother Nighty
This seldom-seen film is based on the Kurt Vonnegut novel of the same name, a story about Howard Campbell - an American Nazi in World War II Germany who is also a supporting character found in the book 'Slaughterhouse 5'. Here he is brought to life by Nick Nolte. Alan Arkin, Kirsten Dunst, David Strathairn and John Goodman also appear.
Breakfast of Champions
The most amazing of all the film and television adaptations of Kurt Vonnegut works would probably have to be this 1999 film version of the brilliant novel 'Breakfast of Champions'. It starred Bruce Willis and Albert Finney. What's so amazing about it is that almost nobody has heard of it. The film is apparently so awful that it was virtually buried after release. Other well-known actors and actresses who appeared in it include Lukas Haas, Owen Wilson, Nick Nolte, Barbara Hershey, Glenne Headly, Michael Clarke Duncan, Omar Epps and Will Patton.
Happy Birthday, Wanda June
The first proper adaptation of a Vonnegut work was this 1971 film version of his play 'Happy Birthday, Wanda June' - a story of a father's return home after 7 years of absence. The film starred Rod Steiger, two years on from his Oscar win. Susannah York and Don Murray also featured.
Between Time and Timbuktu
A 90-minute television adaptation of another Vonnegut play, aired in 1971 and virtually never seen again. No one of real note appeared. Focused on a astronaut/poet who travels through time.
Slaughterhouse 5
George Roy Hill (the Oscar-winning director of 'The Sting', 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' and 'Slap Shot') directed this 1972 adaptation of Vonnegut's most famous novel. It probably remains the most well-thought of of all the various films to have been made from Vonnegut's seemingly unfilmable novels. 'Slaughterhouse 5' is a combination of time-travelling science fiction and tragic war film.
Slapstick (of Another Kind)
This early 80s sci-fi parody is alleged to be based on Vonnegut's 1976 novel 'Slapstick, or Lonesome No More'. Apparently the two works bear only a few superficial similarities to one another, the film existing as very much a mangled and Hollywood-ised version of Vonnegut's book. Jerry Lewis, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldmen, Merv Griffin and Pat Morita all appear. Orson Welles also provided some vocal work.
Who Am I This Time?
A 60 minute television movie based on Vonnegut's short story of the same name (which can be found in the collection, 'Welcome to the Monkey House'). It starred Christopher Walken as Harry Nash, a shy small-town guy who takes part in a local theatre production. During the production he is transformed into the character he is playing, and a new girl in town (played by Susan Sarandon) subsequently falls in love with him. Sounds interesting. Directed by Jonathan Demme.
Displaced Person
Also known as 'D.P.', this 1985 Emmy-award winning 60-minute telemovie was also based on a short story that can be found in the Vonnegut collection, 'Welcome to the Monkey House'. Set during World War II, it focused on a black German oprhan boy who attaches himself to a black American soldier (the only other black person he has ever seen).
Monkey House
A short-lived 1991 television series based on assorted Vonnegut short stories. Frank Lagella and Madeline Kahn both appeared.
Harrison Bergeron
A full-length 1995 telemovie based on another short story that can be found in 'Welcome to the Monkey House'. This is a dystopian science-fiction tale that features Sean Astin in the title role, along with appearances from Eugene Levy, Hayden Christensen and Christopher Plummer.
Mother Nighty
This seldom-seen film is based on the Kurt Vonnegut novel of the same name, a story about Howard Campbell - an American Nazi in World War II Germany who is also a supporting character found in the book 'Slaughterhouse 5'. Here he is brought to life by Nick Nolte. Alan Arkin, Kirsten Dunst, David Strathairn and John Goodman also appear.
Breakfast of Champions
The most amazing of all the film and television adaptations of Kurt Vonnegut works would probably have to be this 1999 film version of the brilliant novel 'Breakfast of Champions'. It starred Bruce Willis and Albert Finney. What's so amazing about it is that almost nobody has heard of it. The film is apparently so awful that it was virtually buried after release. Other well-known actors and actresses who appeared in it include Lukas Haas, Owen Wilson, Nick Nolte, Barbara Hershey, Glenne Headly, Michael Clarke Duncan, Omar Epps and Will Patton.
| 63 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by David
It's nice to know we do agree on something ...
Or so it goes ... *
David ...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Have not seen some of the Tv adaptions but Im familiar with the stories, a few little treasures to find.
I cant say enough bad things about teh 1999 Breakfast Of Champions adaption....just a mess
Comment by Luke
Book Club
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior