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From: schatz@bambi.UUCP (Bruce R. Schatz)
Newsgroups: net.movies
Subject: Re: A Canticle For Liebowitz
Message-ID: <12@bambi.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 3-May-85 21:48:34 EDT
Article-I.D.: bambi.12
Posted: Fri May  3 21:48:34 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 4-May-85 09:09:34 EDT
References: <724@rayssd.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Communications Research;  Morristown, NJ
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the problem with most good science fiction novels is that the interesting
parts are the philosophical and sociological observations which don't
necessarily translate well into cinematic terms.  that is, they appeal
to intellectuals who like rich worlds and slow pacing not flashy pictures
and fast pacing.   Canticle for Liebowitz was boring even to this
intellectual and, i suspect, quite unappealing to today's audiences.

a much better suggestion would be Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination.
this has breathlessly fast pacing and vivid imagery as well as considerable
intellectual depth.  it is a retelling of the classic revenge novel
The Count of Monto Cristo in a futuristic setting where thought-controlled
teleportation is the social norm.
it has been optioned for a movie several times but never completed.

my personal favorite is Olaf Stapledon's  Odd John.
this tells of the infancy and youth of a Homo Superior, a human of the
next level of intelligence.  it is told in a matter of fact fashion
with many sharp comments about human nature and society.
its puckish perspective and spiritual awakening may well appeal to
today's counterculture, the rebellious teenagers who constitute a large
portion of the movie-going audience.
the movie rights were owned by the late George Pal, who produced such
sf film classics as The Time Machine and War of the Worlds.