BuzzFlash Reviews
Slaughter House Five: The Original Movie (Re-issued DVD)
Based on the Novel by the Late Kurt Vonnegut
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Vonnegut, until his death, was also a passionate voice against the cruel embrace of death by the Bush Administration. He wasn't a writer who retreated to the ivory tower of art. He had much to say about the world in which he lived, and the politics of those who kill in the name of peace.
This is the widely acclaimed 1972 film, directed by George Roy Hill, that captured the beguiling time travel of one Billy Pilgrim, who survived the firebombing of Dresden during WW II, only to find himself living three lives simultaneously.
It's a moving, comical and compelling cinematic adaptation of a classic novel, one of those rare books that you would put in a time capsule.
A fine Hollywood tribute to an authentic voice of America, the late Kurt Vonnegut.
An Online Reviewer:
"Like most of those who have posted before me, I am an avid Vonnegut fan and went into this movie with a guarded optimism that it would just be decent.
But George Roy Hill did an excellent job conveying the overall feel of the book -- the time jumping was flawless and I didn't find it hard to follow at all. The actor who played Billy Pilgrim captured Billy's passive, calm and vaguely anti-social demeanor. Lazarro, Montana and Billy's wife are also well played.
George Roy Hill had a knack for directing movies made from great books -- e.g., "The World According to Garp" -- and in the end, I was pleasantly surprised how well this movie turned out.
As far as the Vonnegut adaptations go (I know of four -- this one, "Mother Night," "Breakfast of Champions" and the god-awful "Slapstick") this one is the best of the bunch.
I've always wanted to see a movie version of "Sirens of Titan," but it'll probably never happen -- so "Slaughterhouse Five" is my only chance to "see" Tralfamadore.
Recommended to any true Vonnegut fans."
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