ALL SCI-FI

Steve Joyce · Solar Explorer Joined: 14 Dec 2013 Posts: 57

Years back, I used to have a website. It was about my early researching of silent science fiction. The site eventually got too difficult to keep up what with finding of footage along the way, new info uncovered, etc.

On the main page this was the gist of the purpose of the whole darn thing:
"Frustrated in obtaining the actual films and in understanding others, I began seeking out source novels and plays, scripts, film catalog summaries and the like. This not only helped me fill in the gaps; it also helped me appreciate along the way some great "gaslight" authors. "

Anywho, to start things off... here's my 2002 mini-essay on Aelita:

"Aelita by Alexei N. Tolstoy

I grow fonder of the 1924 Russian film Aelita every time I watch it. All during my first viewing I just wanted the story to move along to the action on Mars. This does take a long time to happen. But upon repeating viewings, I get just as engrossed if not more because of the look the film provides on post-revolution Soviet economics and societal conditions.

Here's a brief comparison of the film and short novel (now read for the 2nd time):

SPOILERS

In the novel, Los is a widower.

In the film, a Soviet Commissar becomes friendly with his wife with and he kills her in a fit of jealousy.

In the novel, it is Los and the gung ho revolutionary soldier Gusev that travel to Mars. They do so merely because Los has invented an apparatus to travel there with no idea what they will find.

The film's voyagers include these two and as well as the comedic detective Kravtsev as a reluctant stowaway. Mars has already contacted Earth by this time.

The film adapts the books main points concerning the events on Mars. Los becomes enamored with Aelita. A revolt ferments amongst the Martian workers, There is a power struggle between Aelita and "dictator" Tuskub thrown into the mix.

The novel does not end in a dream as does the film. Instead Los returns to Earth to be haunted by Aelita's memory. Although I've even grown to forgive somewhat this copout ending, Aelita on the screen would have been improved in keeping this finale intact.

written: 5/19/2002"

I've since found out that a better translation of the novel has been done. One day, I'll track it down.

Steve
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"There is a planet in the Solar System where the people are so stupid they didn't catch on for a million years that there was another half to their planet." - Kilgore Trout.

Zackuth · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:17 pm Post subject:

I had heard about Aelita years ago and finally tracked down a copy of the movie 5 or 6 years ago. I enjoyed it a lot even with a lot of Soviet propaganda in the movie (I'll have to dig it out and watch it again). I did not know this was based on a short story.

Bud Brewster · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 11:47 pm Post subject:

Bless my soul, good old Youtube has this entire movie. I'd love to know how the picture quality compares to the version you have. Is it just as good?

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

Steve Joyce · Solar Explorer Joined: 14 Dec 2013 Posts: 57

Bud Brewster · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 2:08 pm Post subject:

Holy cow, that weird eight minute film is an animated acid trip! And I was surprised by all the blatant (and lewd) sexual elements.

I can't imagine what the message of this film was supposed to be — although the "Capitalism is dead!" subtitle was probably the gist of it.

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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)