If you're a science fiction fan, chances are good that you're familiar with such films as "Total Recall", "Minority Report", and of course, the classic, "Blade Runner". And you may also be nerdy enough to know that all of these were based on the work of seminal American science fiction writer Philip K. Dick. There is something about the writer's darkly vivid imagining of dystopian near-future worlds coupled with his intriguing exploration of the fundamentals of human identity that seems tailor-made for movie adaptations, and Hollywood knows it: by now, nearly a dozen Philip K. Dick works have been given the cinematic treatment.
Thus far that list has not included the writer's 1962 novel, "The Man In the High Castle". The Hugo Award-winning novel posits a grim alternate future in which the Axis powers rather than the Allies won World War II. In this terrifyingly realized other-history, the conquered United States is a land divided, with Germany ruling the eastern half and Japan holding the western portion, and a lawless "neutral zone" in between. Sound intriguing? Then you'll probably want to head over to Amazon and check out their very ambitious, high-profile adaptation, which will debut this fall as an Amazon Original Series.
Amazon released the show's pilot episode in mid-January and shortly thereafter announced that they would produce a full season of "The Man In the High Castle", making it available to subscribers of their Prime streaming video service. But not everyone has to wait another month or two to sample the show, as Amazon hosted a premiere last week at Comic-Con, during which several hundred lucky attendees were able to watch both the pilot and episode two, on the big screen, in the comfortable setting of the San Diego Civic Theater.
In the audience at the Civic Theater were series stars Rupert Evans, Luke Kleintank, Alexa Davalos, and Rufus Sewell, as well as the novelist's daughter, Isa Dick Hackett. Prior to the screening, executive producer Frank Spotnitz ("The X-Files") took to the stage for a brief Q & A during which he discussed some of the decision-making that went into the adaptation, and the benefits of creating a series with modern viewing habits in mind.
With regard to the tightly-controlled aesthetic of the show, which must faithfully depict a 1960s America that has seen fifteen years of suppression under totalitarian conquerors, Mr. Spotnitz noted that "We had to think carefully about how to set up the look of the show, because we knew we would have to live with our decisions for the rest of the series." That thoughtful decision-making certainly pays off, as viewers will find themselves easily - and probably uncomfortably - immersed in the grim reality that the novel puts forth. The show is dark, clothing and décor are drab, and dusty surfaces abound. There are a few imaginative touches, such as an outdoor pay phone outfitted with what looks like a protective hood to shield a caller from the elements, but mostly the cars, clothes, and technology all seem several years out of date and thoroughly utilitarian, as though living under political oppression has flattened western creativity and development as well as crushing the American heart and soul.
Mr. Spotnitz also observed that modern viewing habits have had an impact on the structure and pacing of television shows. The producer mentioned more than once that all episodes of "The Man In the High Castle" will be released together in the fall, and available for streaming right away. The writers' awareness of this availability freed up the production in some ways, as, "you don't have to recap the previous week at the beginning of each episode because the viewer hasn't had to wait a week in between watching (the episodes)." This flow was evident at the premier screening, as the pilot crescendoed with a surprising reveal and the second episode picked up with almost no relenting of the tension and pace.
So, should you check out "The Man In the High Castle" when it arrives on Amazon Prime this fall? Be advised: it's very dark, both aesthetically, and in subject matter. The reality of life under a Nazi regime is explored unflinchingly, and there are turns in the story that will render emotional blows that are difficult to prepare for. That said, the pilot sets up a compelling story, led by three strong characters: Juliana Crain (Alexa Davalos), who's pulled into a resistance movement when her sister disappears; her lover, Frank Frink (Rupert Evans), who suffers the effects of Juliana's freedom fighting, and Joe Blake (Luke Kleintank), who seems to be caught between two worlds...but time will tell. Also of note is John Smith (Rufus Sewell), who holds a high rank in the Nazi army and espouses values such as "doing what you are told" and "acting for the good of the nation and society rather than for personal gain" in a way that provides an eerie window into the totalitarian mindset - it's unsettling precisely because for a moment or two it sounds appealing, and it makes sense. If you are interested in alternate histories, if you can weather a glimpse into the darker side of human nature, or if you are curious to know exactly who is "The Man In the High Castle", you should certainly look out for the series, on Amazon Prime this fall.
