Dejah Thoris is a name I have often used as a pseudonym, ever since I first read the 1912 novel, A Princess of Mars… the basis for the 2012 film, John Carter. It was in the 1970’s that I first discovered Barsoom (as the natives call Mars), and was swept away by the high adventure and romance of the world created by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
I couldn’t get enough of it. I read all of Burroughs 86 books and short stories several times. The prolific author transported me to Venus, Mars, Pellucidar, Africa, even the Wild West, as he wove his epic tales, which have sold over 100 million books in 56 different languages.
What I would have given to be able to see these spectacular vistas, sumptuous architecture, and remarkable characters on the big screen.
We have certainly seen the films that were inspired by John Carter of Mars: Superman, Flash Gordon, Star Wars, Dune, Avatar, etc. etc. etc., but how wonderful it would be to see the original, the first action hero, John Carter himself !!
Alas, Burroughs books are so complex that every effort to re-create them failed miserably. Think Tarzan…
Oh, yes, everyone loves Tarzan, (89 Tarzan films were made between 1918 and 2008, not to mention television shows, etc.) but there is so much more to him than the movies portray….
What I would have given to be able to see these spectacular vistas, sumptuous architecture, and remarkable characters on the big screen.
We have certainly seen the films that were inspired by John Carter of Mars: Superman, Flash Gordon, Star Wars, Dune, Avatar, etc. etc. etc., but how wonderful it would be to see the original, the first action hero, John Carter himself !!
Alas, Burroughs books are so complex that every effort to re-create them failed miserably. Think Tarzan…
Oh, yes, everyone loves Tarzan, (89 Tarzan films were made between 1918 and 2008, not to mention television shows, etc.) but there is so much more to him than the movies portray….
…. all in twenty-six novels, which take the multi-lingual aristocrat on journeys through worlds that exist only in our imagination. And what an imagination Burroughs had !!
Update: The 2016 film: The Legend of Tarzan had a very good Burroughs feel to it, with the Jewels of Opar and the great Apes, while retaining the feel of the Johnny Weissmuller films. I give that a thumbs up, and fans seemed to enjoy it, too.
Disney’s John Carter is the film that seems to break the Burroughs movie curse. 21st century technology was needed to bring his story, and Barsoom to us. Of course, there is still too much going on in the books, therefore there are some alterations, as is always the case with Hollywood. However, this film captures the essence of A Princess of Mars, and we are taken on a magnificent thrill ride.
While the story closely follows the first book of Burrough’s Martian series, a few changes have been made to appeal to a modern audience. I think it works that the Therns are more powerful, however, I am not crazy about an addition to John Carter’s back story which changes the dynamic of his love story with the “incomparable Dejah Thoris.”
While it is true that Hollywood movies always change the books they film, Harry Potter proved that you actually can film exactly what is written in popular novels, and make a lot of money in the process. But the wildly successful Harry Potter book/film series is the exception to the rule.
Modern audiences may think that this film is anachronistic, and unrealistic, but they must remember that it was written 100 years ago. I mean, no one critisized War of the Worlds, which is completely implausable.
Besides, sword fighting is fun, as are air ships with oars, which use the 8th Barsoomian ray to stay aloft. And who is to say that there are not underground cities on Mars like Horz, where ancient civilizations, like the Orovars, have been living since the seas dried up.
While it is true that Hollywood movies always change the books they film, Harry Potter proved that you actually can film exactly what is written in popular novels, and make a lot of money in the process. But the wildly successful Harry Potter book/film series is the exception to the rule.
Modern audiences may think that this film is anachronistic, and unrealistic, but they must remember that it was written 100 years ago. I mean, no one critisized War of the Worlds, which is completely implausable.
Besides, sword fighting is fun, as are air ships with oars, which use the 8th Barsoomian ray to stay aloft. And who is to say that there are not underground cities on Mars like Horz, where ancient civilizations, like the Orovars, have been living since the seas dried up.
I also was wary about the choice of Taylor Kitsch for role of John Carter. His looks are a bit boyish for my taste. However, when he began to speak in that deep, manly voice, he won me over. Kitsch really became Dotar Sojat, as the Tharks dubbed Carter.
A Princess of Mars had been in development longer than any movie in history. Attempts to produce the film began in 1931. It almost came to pass in the 1990’s, and at the time, I was hoping that someone like Adrian Paul (the Highlander) would have gotten the role, so closely did he fit my image of the Warlord of Mars.
However, as I said, Taylor Kitsch has won me over, and, with each viewing of John Carter (of Mars), I love the film more and more. I really hope they make sequels. I would so love to see the Kaldanes and Rykors !!
Plus, there was talk of making a Carson of Venus (Amtor) film.
Plus, there was talk of making a Carson of Venus (Amtor) film.
Written in 1915, the story deals with the Pan-American Federation’s refusal to get involved in World War I. They set up a military patrol at the 30th parallel, effectively cutting off all contact with the eastern hemisphere. Over a century later, an accident causes one of the patrol ships to venture into European territory, where our hero discovers what has become of the Old World.
Edgar Rice Burroughs’ grandson, the late Danton Burroughs, gave me a copy of that book when I thought I had lost my original copy. On a whim I visited the ERB offices in Tarzana, California (the town named after Burrough’s most famous character), and had the privilege of meeting Danton.
The office was full of books and memorabilia. The writer’s grandson was a big fan, and was pleased to tell me stories of his grand-dad, and show me around the Burroughs estate. It is sad that he did not live to see the triumph that is the film, John Carter. However his daughters, Dejah and Llana Jane, named after characters in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ books, were there at the Hollywood premiere of the film in 2012.
The office was full of books and memorabilia. The writer’s grandson was a big fan, and was pleased to tell me stories of his grand-dad, and show me around the Burroughs estate. It is sad that he did not live to see the triumph that is the film, John Carter. However his daughters, Dejah and Llana Jane, named after characters in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ books, were there at the Hollywood premiere of the film in 2012.
My dream of a film about Barsoom and the epic adventures of Dejah Thoris and John Carter have come true. The film is not perfect, but it comes close, and I love it !!
The Moral of the Story is: if you don’t understand what the big deal is with the film,
John Carter, then read the 11 books in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoomian series.
Then go and see the film !!
John Carter, then read the 11 books in Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoomian series.
Then go and see the film !!
Even though Disney shot down John Carter in the U.S. with inept marketing, the film continues to be # 1 Internationally.
P.S. Tharks are the reason we think of Martians as Green !!!