Prince and Princess of Barsoom (Mars to you)

[alan french]

Hi,
As a result of a recent thread I started concerning Tarzan, there appears to be a possibility that it could digress in to the subject of another Edgar Rice Burroughs' hero who just pre dates Tarzan. See me Tarzan! Me Unique!

I was surprised some time ago, when I learned that a film version features this character was in process of being made. Particularly that the books by Edgar Rice Burroughs take place on Mars, and pictures the planet differently to how today's space probes observe it.

I must admit the character has something interesting aspects that can be discussed. An animated version was going to be made many years ago. I have seen some sample animated artwork of this.

However, it looks as though he might be a popular hero to cinema goers as from next year with present day film makers.

Does anyone who is familiar with this character wish to contribute to this thread and discuss this character and his beautiful wife, Dejah Thoris, who is a martian humanoid princess?

Alan French.

[alan french]

Hi,
It seems no-one at the moment does. Oh! Well! Win some. Lose some.

However, it does mean there is an established thread when the film is released.

But it is interesting to note, that someone is making a film based on something published about 100 years ago. With the progress of time, science, discovery and invention has quite often made many science fiction stories dated, because of things that we now know. Although in some instances, some authors have put things in their tales which have come very close to reality years later.

This film however, if faithful to Edgar Rice Burroughs' stories should produce, if handled right, some good special effects. But we shall see.

Hope to see you on this thread next year?

Alan French.

Alan French.

[Steve Crook]

But it is interesting to note, that someone is making a film based on something published about 100 years ago. With the progress of time, science, discovery and invention has quite often made many science fiction stories dated, because of things that we now know. Although in some instances, some authors have put things in their tales which have come very close to reality years later.

Some SF authors have predicted the future quite well, but a lot more have been proven wrong by time.

That's why the best SF doesn't rely on gadgets, spaceships or ray-guns but is simple "ideas fiction" where they just take a simple idea and ask "What if ..."

That's why "The Trouble With Lichen" by John Wyndham remains a favourite. It's a simple idea, what if someone discovered an anti-ageing treatment that actually worked? What would happen to society if everybody lived for a lot longer? What would happen to things like the insurance companies or the pension funds? What would the young people do if the older people weren't dying off to make room for them to take their place?

It was written in 1960 but is just as topical today.

Steve

[Timmy_Lea]

I think the only real problem with this movie will be that the source material has been so inspirational to countless tv shows/movies etc that many may think it very derivative.

[Steve Crook]

I think the only real problem with this movie will be that the source material has been so inspirational to countless tv shows/movies etc that many may think it very derivative.

Which films or TV shows have been based on the John Carter stories?

Steve

[Timmy_Lea]

Which films or TV shows have been based on the John Carter stories?

Steve

None that I know. But what I said was that the source material has been so INSPIRATIONAL to countless tv shows/movies. James Cameron recently acknowledged the influence of it on Avatar.

[alan french]

Hi,
Regarding Steve Crook's question resulting from Timmy Lea's comments.

Many years ago, there used to be a popular children's television programme called Whirligig. (Continues today as a television of old website.) Among the many items which were featured in it, would be a short serial. Two of them featured a chap who crash landed in England on his sky boat. Thinking about it. There could have been a John Carter influence here. Both in his appearance and his craft was called a sky boat. I do not think it was a large item. Oh! And of course he was from Mars.

I also read somewhere, that an author was influenced by Edgar Rice Burroughs Martian stories. So he wrote a series in the same style but it took place on Venus. Edgar Rice Burroughs, for devilment, retaliated, not by suing the author, but decided to write a series also set on Venus.

Also, a lot of SF authors were influenced by Edgar Rice Burroughs. I think it was Ray Bradbury, who decided for his own amusement, decided to write a sequal the The Gods Of Mars, because you had to wait for the next book to find out what happens.

Somewhere on the internet Possibly the website ERB, you can see animated drawings made for a prospective cartoon series featuring John Carter.

must sign off.

Alan French.

[Timmy_Lea]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJpVWVLNoQo

[alan french]

Hi,
Thankyou for the film clip.

Michael Moorcock was also influenced by Edgar Rice Burroughs Martian stories. He wrot some adventures of someone called Sojan. They published in Tarzan Adventures. Mind you, he was also the editor of the magazine, so I suppose he was biased.

Alan French.

[Timmy_Lea]

John Carter: our thoughts on 20 minutes of footage that we've seen - Den of Geek

[alan french]

Hi,
Just seen the post and read. The proof in the pudding is in the eating. I hope it is a success. Afterall, not only does John Carter only just predate Tarzan, but may have been an influence some years later for Superman. Remember, originally, Superman could not fly, but only made fantastic leaps in the air.

Alan French.

[Timmy_Lea]

http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/1149...rew_stanton_qa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xX-zot7lTtA

[Timmy_Lea]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8I9eZGzNhM

[alan french]

Hi,
Amazing that this is based on a story approximately 100 years old.

Alan French.