Last and First Men
Directed by Johann Johannsson
Two billion years in the future, humanity finds itself on the verge of extinction. Based on the cult 1930 science fiction novel by British author Olaf Stapledon, with narration by Tilda Swinton, is a poetic, hopeful, and tragic work: an allegory of remembrance, ideals, and the death of Utopia.
Two billion years in the future, humanity finds itself on the verge of extinction.
Cast: Tilda Swinton
Member Reviews
Great book. Poor adaptation.
Olaf Stapledon’s novel is really great. I highly recommend it. As to the movie… well, I genuinely enjoy experimental films, if this film featured only the visuals and the score I could have gotten into it perhaps, but as an adaptation of the novel it was sadly lacking. I would want the visuals to at least attempt to hint at the narrative. When Tilda Swinton tells us about a building that appears to be made of light, don’t show us a dark, opaque structure, for example. I’m giving it a lenient 2 skulls, as it may at least convince some to read the original book.
Olaf Stapledon’s novel is really great. I highly recommend it. As to the movie… well, I genuinely enjoy experimental films, if this film featured only the visuals and the score I could have gotten into it perhaps, but as an adaptation of the novel it was sadly lacking. I would want the visuals to at least attempt to hint at the narrative. When Tilda Swinton tells us about a building that appears to be made of light, don’t show us a dark, opaque structure, for example. I’m giving it a lenient 2 skulls, as it may at least convince some to read the original book.
I liked it; the narration was really good and I think it was an interesting way to adapt a short story of this sort. I can see why some don't like the 'slideshow' aspect, but I thought it was intriguing and relaxing - this was one I kept on in the background more like an audiobook, but I liked sporadically stopping to appreciate the visuals also.
Best movie on Shudder - period.