Main Cast: Rod Steiger, Claire Bloom, Robert Drivas, Don Dubbins, Jason Evers
Release Year: 1969
Country: US
Run Time: 103 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
This science fiction fantasy is taken from the stories of Ray Bradbury. Carl (Rod Steiger) has a tattooed torso of bizarre illustrations done by his wife Felicia (Claire Bloom). Each one tells a story about the future, and when Will (Robert Drivas) meets The Illustrated Man in a hobo jungle en route to California, Carl warns him not to look too closely at the pictures on his person. One story has Carl, Felicia, Will and another man stranded on a planet plagued by perpetual rainstorms. Another has Will as a marriage counselor who watches in horror while Carl and Felicia's children plan their deaths. The third futuristic saga has Will observing Carl and Felicia on the top of a mountain as they plan to kill their children. After the three stories, Will is plagued by futuristic nightmares of Carl coming to kill him in this depressing and pessimistic film. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
Review
This Ray Bradbury adaptation is a well-intentioned but deeply flawed affair. The biggest problem with The Illustrated Man is that it forgoes the sense of wonder that infuses Bradbury's work. Instead, screenwriter/producer Howard Kreitsek and director Jack Smight go for a psychological, message-conscious approach that often steamrolls over the subtleties of the material in an attempt to make it feel 'serious.' As a result, "The Veldt" and "The Last Night On Earth" feel more like lectures than stories (they also suffer because their twist endings are telegraphed long before they get a chance to unfold). The best of the stories is "The Long Rain," where the psychological approach fits the introspective tone of the story. The film's framing device is frequently more interesting that the stories it surrounds: it benefits from a compelling sense of mystery and committed performances by Rod Steiger, Robert Drivas and Claire Bloom (all of whom also figure prominently in the stories). Unfortunately, the framing device fizzles out with a lame 'open ending' likely to leave most viewers scratching their heads. In short, The Illustrated Man is a misfire that is likely to disappoint viewers who expect it to live up to its heady ambitions. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
Tim Weldon - John; Christine Matchett - Anna; Pogo - Peke the Dog
Credit
Joel Schiller - Art Director, James E. Reynolds - Consultant/advisor, Frank Weatherwas - Consultant/advisor, Anthea Sylbert - Costume Designer, Terry Nelson - First Assistant Director, Jack Smight - Director, Archie Marshek - Editor, Jerry Goldsmith - Composer (Music Score), Gordon Bau - Makeup, Philip H. Lathrop - Cinematographer, Howard B. Kreitsek - Producer, Ted Mann - Producer, Marvin March - Set Designer, James E. Reynolds - Special Effects, Ralph Webb - Special Effects, Howard B. Kreitsek - Screenwriter, Ray Bradbury - Book Author
