My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye to watch the working of his lie
On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford
Suppression of the glee that pursed and scored
Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
II. What else should he be set for, with his staff?
What, save to waylay with his lies, ensnare
All travellers who might find him posted there,
And ask the road? I guessed what skull-like laugh
Would break, what crutch 'gin write my epitaph
For pastime in the dusty thoroughfare,
III.
If at his counsel I should turn aside
Into that ominous tract which, all agree,
Hides the Dark Tower. Yet acquiescingly
I did turn as he pointed: neither pride
Nor hope rekindling at the end descried,
So much as gladness that some end might be.
……….. So say the opening three verses of Robert Browning's poem 'Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came'. It features the medieval knight, Childe Roland who is in search of the mythical Dark Tower which many before him have looked for but perished in the process. The poem was the the main inspiration for the Dark Tower series of books by Stephen King which totals so far a grand amount of eight novels totalling well over 4,000 pages which assimilates themes from a plethora of genres, including fantasy, science fiction, western and horror. It tells the story a "gunslinger" and his obsession on reaching a tower, the nature of which is both tangible, allegorical and said to be the nexus of all universes.Throughout the story King uses parallels to our own mythology in his creation.
Roland Deschain is the last living member of a knightly order known as 'gunslingers' and the sole surviving member of the line of Arthur Eld ( the equivalent of our King Arthur and the round table myth). It is a world that parallels our own, some things are the same, some things are similar and somethings are very different. Even the most powerful of countries have been decimated by war, with entire cities and areas vanishing , never to be seen again. In this new world time does not flow in a straightforward manner. Occasionally, even the sun rises and sets in the 'wrong' part of the sky. This Mid-world society is arranged in a medieval feudalistic fashion, while at the same time sharing technological and community attributes with the American old West, but it is also magical in nature. However, many of the magical qualities have disappeared from Mid-World, but some sources of an old power remain as do ancient objects and machinery from a long gone technologically advanced culture. Mid-world is said to have "moved on", and it appears to be falling apart at the seams. As the series opens, Roland's motives, aims and even his age are unclear, though as the books continue, we slowly learn more about these mysteries.
A couple of interesting asides……(well to me anyway)
Language
Stephen King created a language called 'High speech' for his characters in the Dark Tower story. It is an ancient language spoken by gunslingers and those who remember the time before the world 'moved on'. It is instinctively comprehended by the members of Roland's acquired group, it is suggested that this knowledge is telepathic in nature. Examples of this language includes a phrase such as Thankee, Sai ("Thank you, Sir/Ma'am."). In addition King uses the term Ka which is the approximate equivalent of destiny, or fate, in the fictional language High Speech (and similarly, Ka-tet, a group of people bound together by fate/destiny). This term originated in Egyptian mythology and storytelling and has featured in several other King novels, short stories and screenplays over the years.
The opposite to High speech is the Low Speech, which has a degree of similarity to a polluted form of English. The majority of language and everyday interactions in In-World are in the Low Speech.
Cross over to other Stephen King works
I make absolutely no excuses for my love of Stephen King's work, especially this series of books. In my humble opinion he is often unfairly looked down upon by certain snooty members of the literary brigade, who seem to correlate being popular to being a low quality writer. The Dark Tower series -- which stretches through numerous lengthy novels is alluringly complex and peculiar, crossing between different worlds and times. Yes it can be frustrating in its tortured complexity and with Kings habit of catching you off guard when 'letting go' of characters that you have become increasingly attached to. Roland's character arc in particular is beautifully written and designed. We don't always feel comfortable with some of the things we grow to learn about him, but we always have a level of sympathy for his actions. Another interesting feature is Kings habit of interlinking various characters and sub-plots with some of his other works. For example, Father Callahan, who appeared in 'Salems Lot' crops in this series as tortured as ever….. “God grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the tenacity to change what I may, and the good luck not to fuck up too often.” Warning! - There be spoilers ahead…….
The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (1982)
The first book in the series introduces us to Roland Deschain of Gilead, the only surviving gunslinger of a long-dead dynasty in a dying land. The knight wanders through this wasted world, seemingly chasing a mysterious "man in black" who can help him locate the Dark Tower. Along his journey he finds Jake, a young boy who died in a car accident in our own world. As his quest continues Roland may be prepared to sacrifice what he holds dear so that his obsession can continue.
“Would’ee speak a word of prayer first, Roland? To whatever God thee holds?”
“I hold to no God,” Roland said. “I hold to the Tower and won’t pray to that.”
The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three (1987)
"The Drawing of the Three" begins on the same after the first book ends. Sickness has overcome Roland, and being pursued by man-eating monsters - 'lobstrosities'. In desperation he succeeds in transferring his consciousness into our world -- and into the minds of drug addict and smuggler Eddie Dean, and legless civil rights activist Odetta Holmes (and her evil other personality, Detta). Roland succeeds into bringing Eddie and Odetta into Mid- world. immediately putting at risk the quest for the Dark Tower by Eddie's abolition and Detta's hatred.
The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands (1991)
The book begins with Roland mentoring Odetta/Detta - who is now known as Susannah, and Eddie in the ways of gunslingers. Eddie and Susannah are now married, and the couple are quickly becoming more skillful and knowledgeable in their new roles in the group (or Ka-tet). However, Roland is now suffering as a result of the reality-paradox he created when he rescued the young boy Jake, his mind and sanity is beginning to collapse. Meanwhile Jake's mind is also deteriorating in New york. In order to save Roland and Jake from insanity, the group pulls Jake away from our world to Mid-world. But no sooner has he become part of the Ka-tet when they find themselves a disintegrating city, with an psychotic mono train and a ominous figure seemingly tracking them...
The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass (1997)
Once again the story begins just where the last book left off. Roland and the rest of the group escape from one world and slipping into a different plane. And it is there that Roland recounts to his friends a story, one that details his discovery of something even more elusive than the Dark Tower: love. It is majestic and expansive, a story worthy of any folk-tale which pulsates with an almost suppressing ambiance, and aching with the shattered reminiscence of a past romance with his only true love. The book charts Roland's journey to his own tortured past, to a time when some of lives harshest lessons awaited him, lessons of loyalty and betrayal and destiny.
The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla (2003)
Roland Deschain and his collective are are making their way slowly through the forests of Mid-World on their odyssey towards the fabled the Dark Tower. Eventually they find themselves on the outskirts of a town, Calla Bryn Sturgis. At first, all seems peaceful and tranquil in the secluded town. However, beyond in the hills lies the for boding darkness of Thunderclap, the origin of an appalling ailment that is destroying the soul of the town. The wolves of Thunderclap and their abhorrent ravaging are on their way again. Roland and his Ka-tet are determined to resist them, even if it means putting their quest in peril.
The Dark Tower VI: Song of Susannah (2004)
This is a story rich in complexity and quite possibly my favourite instalment of the series.
To give birth to her "chap," demon-mother Mia has taken over the body of Susannah Dean and used the energy of Black Thirteen to transport them to the city of New York in the summer of 1999. Now Susannah Dean is possessed, her body an organic repository for the demon. The thing that is growing inside Susannah is something dreadful. Meanwhile, Eddie and Roland find themselves in the US state of Maine in the summer of 1977 - and this world is very real and very violent. It is also inhabited by a certain well known horror writer who turns out to be as stunned by their arrival as they are by his existence.
The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower (2012)
The stunning final volume sees Roland on an ever-changing combination of electrifying rejoicing and sorrowful despair in his unremitting attempt to reach the dark tower. Roland's band of friends are still united, though no longer together. Susannah-Mia has been taken away to New York to give birth while Jake, Father Callahan and Oy try to follow her. Roland and Eddie are still in Maine, looking for the place which will take them to Susannah. The tower is getting ever nearer, but every step of the way Roland is followed by a terrible and sinister aberration. The last few miles to the tower may have to be faced alone.
The Dark Tower: The Wind Through the Keyhole (2012)
Kings return to the series…...There is no synopsis here because the simple fact is that I haven't read it yet - though I know for a fact that Santa may well have bought it me for Christmas in a couple of weeks…….. can't wait!
Saturday, 1 December 2012
HARVEY (1950)
“I have wrestled with reality for 35 years and I am happy to report that I finally won out over it.”
(Elwood P. Dowd)
Oh Elwood P. Dowd, how I loved your philosophy of life when I first saw this wonderful fantasy movie one cold and rainy winters afternoon, stuck in my bed and full of the flu. I was an impressionable teenager when, one rainy afternoon with nothing in particular to do other than find some old movie on television, I stumbled onto this gem of comedy- fantasy movie making. I remember that for some reason (and for the life of me I can't remember why) I had been feeling a little sorry for myself and busy evaluating my life (yes I know, I started young!) All I know is that the film, for what I thought would be a brief moment in time took me away from whatever problems were on my mind at the time. It cheered me, inspired me, made me laugh and had an everlasting impact on me which has lasted to this day.
HARVEY, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Mary Chase, is a classic tale of a middle-aged, amiable (and somewhat eccentric) individual whose best friend is a 6' 3.5" tall rabbit named Harvey, a white rabbit that only Elwood can see. According to Elwood, Harvey is a pooka, a benign but mischievous creature from Celtic mythology who is especially passionate about helping social outcasts.Elwood explains at one point that that Harvey has the power to stop time: "Did I tell you he could stop clocks? Well, you've heard the expression 'His face would stop a clock'? Well, Harvey can look at your clock and stop it. And you can go anywhere you like — with anyone you like — and stay as long as you like. And when you get back, not one minute will have ticked by. ... You see, science has overcome time and space. Well, Harvey has overcome not only time and space — but any objections." This seemingly idiosyncratic insistence on the true existence of his Rabbit friend have driven his sister Veta (played by the magnificent Josephine Hull, who won an Academy Award for her performance) and niece Myrtle Mae ( played by Peggy Dow) to the edge of bewilderment. Elwood's family are terrified that Myrtle Mae will never be accepted into 'polite society' and find a husband with her insane uncle Elwood in plain sight. The family make the decision to have him committed to a nearby mental institution. Harvey is a comedy, a fantasy. It is also a cunningly clandestine intelligent character study of alcoholism, mental illness and high society - all dressed up in a low-key gentle movie. James Stewart gives one of his finest performances in a large list of memorable performances, and if memory serves me correctly, this was one of his personal favourites. When revisiting this movie its always a small surprise to be reminded that behind the care-free portrayal there is actually a subtly dark performance from Stewart playing this middle-aged alcoholic who claims to all that he keeps company with a six-foot-tall, invisible rabbit. In fact many of the themes and topics within the film such as the effects of alcoholism and how mental illness was treated (or not, as the case may be) in the 1950's have dark undertones.
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying that this is a 'One flew over the cuckoo's nest' in its treatment of how classifying and labelling someone as mentally ill could be potentially problematic. It is however a prime example of how serious and dark issues can be clothed in a gentle and playful manner, whilst still leaving room for thought and contemplation. Moreover, at no point are the issues that surround Harvey treated in an exploitative way. He is happy with himself and his life and perhaps more significantly, he makes others happy (especially the strangers that he meets) with their lives. That is perhaps the great skill and magic of Elwood and his invisible friend in that they instill a feeling of peace, contentment and joy to almost everyone who comes into contact with them.
The official movie trailer
Is Harvey real? That's the question that I constantly read when I see accounts of this film. It could be argued that this question is immaterial as we already know that Elwood thinks he is real and as a consequence of that we are conscious that Elwood's family thinks Elwood is insane and bringing shame on the good name of the family. I would suggest that it isn't actually important whether Harvey is real or not, because to Elwood he is real and it is possibly that belief in Harvey and what Harvey represents to him that bestows this middle-aged man with grace, humility and charm. Maybe we all need a Harvey, so that we too can reject of the harshness and selfishness of the world that we live in. maybe we already have one and its a case of finding again the childhood carefree nature that many of us leave behind over the years……. However, the clues at the end of the film leave us in little doubt of the true reality of the existence of the 6' 3.5" tall rabbit. Harvey is a charming, magical masterpiece that cleverly balances elements of fantasy, comedy, and human without falling into the trap of ever becoming sugary or maudlin.
So is Harvey real? Of course he is.
The complete cinematic edition of the movie.
I think that it's only fitting that I leave the last words to Elwood - words that perfectly embody his character and philosophy of life….. "Harvey and I sit in the bars... have a drink or two... play the juke box. And soon the faces of all the other people they turn toward mine and they smile. And they're saying, "We don't know your name, mister, but you're a very nice fella." Harvey and I warm ourselves in all these golden moments. We've entered as strangers - soon we have friends. And they come over... and they sit with us... and they drink with us... and they talk to us. They tell about the big terrible things they've done and the big wonderful things they'll do. Their hopes, and their regrets, and their loves, and their hates. All very large, because nobody ever brings anything small into a bar. And then I introduce them to Harvey... and he's bigger and grander than anything they offer me. And when they leave, they leave impressed. The same people seldom come back; but that's envy, my dear. There's a little bit of envy in the best of us".
Friday, 23 November 2012
THE WICKER MAN (1973) "Come. It is time to keep your appointment with the Wicker man"
So much has been written over the years about the film often dubbed by modern day critics as "The Citizen Kane of horror movies'. The production, the low-key cinematic release, the initial critical mauling and the subsequent rise to it's much loved modern day status meant that I did wonder about adding further of value to the existing body of work on the subject.
However, I quickly realised that even if nothing new or original came from my musings I still needed to talk about, perhaps my favourite movie of all time.
Often Pigeon-holed as a horror movie, The Wicker Man is more than that. Yes it does have moments of horror - the ending IS genuinely horrific….but more of that later. It's also
an earnest and articulate thriller about paganism in a modern day society, indeed many modern Pagans have embraced the lifestyle suggestions of the movie for providing an idealised manifestation of Pagan culture that showed the Island inhabitants as happy, cheerful, and well-adjusted! The ending of the movie does seem to have escaped them however…...
The Wicker man was written by Anthony Shaffer whose excellent script provided a cunning mixture of comedy, a gradual feeling in the audience of an ever increasing dread, and a genuinely horrific climax.
The film begins when we are introduced to a policeman from the mainland, Sergeant Neil Howie , who receives an anonymous letter requesting his presence on Summerisle, a remote Scottish island noted for its plentiful fruit produce, to investigate the disappearance of a young local girl named Rowan Morrison.
Rowan?…..never heard of her.
A soon as Howie reaches the island we see that the residents of Summerisle are friendly but curiously distant, and in some cases not particularly welcoming. Immediately there is the undercurrent of feeling that all is not what it appears. Howie (a stunning performance from Edward Woodward) is treated as an outsider by the Islanders as he encounters difficulty in getting any information from them. Indeed, they claim never to have heard of the missing girl Rowan, even her own mother insists Rowan does not exist.
Howie's search eventually brings him into contact with the island's community leader, Laird Summerisle (played by the always, always, ALWAYS wonderful Christopher Lee) describes to Howie the island's recent history and culture. Summerisle's grandfather was a scientist who formulated a number of new strains of fruit that he believed could prosper in the Scottish climate as long as they were accompanied by the 'correct' growing conditions.
The Laird goes on to explain that these 'correct' growing conditions were, his Grandfather introducing a belief in the local population that the older gods were in fact genuine and worshipping them by farming the new crop strains would deliver them from their meagre livelihood. The crops did indeed go on to bear plentiful harvests of fruit and the island's Christian clergy were forced away, with the population now completely embracing the pagan philosophy.
The delicious Ingrid Pitt getting all down and Pagan
The repressed policeman, a devout and celibate christian is constantly tempted and appalled in equal measures by the island's seductive atmosphere, With phallic symbols and hypnotic music seemingly everywhere. The numerous pagan ceremonies, often in the form of multiple sexual acts, are are prevelant at every opportunity with the biggest temptation being completely conveyed by the Pub landlord's daughter (Britt Ekland), who overloads Sargent Howie with barely containable sexual desire.
Oh go on then Willow, if I must……
However, the problem of the missing girl remains, with ever more numerous indications that hint at a darker reality beneath the colourful local customs. When that reality is ultimately discovered, Howie becomes the crucial element in the islanders' most elaborate and ultimately horrific ritual.
Laird Summerisle explains to Howie that he was enticed to the island by the islanders themselves, who have all conspired to persuade him that a missing girl was being held captive. The Laird admits to the Sargent that the previous year's harvest failed disastrously. Their pagan religion requires sacrifice to be made to the sun god. Howie's devout Christian lifestyle and his job as a police officer mean that he is suitably pure in heart and innocent enough to be sacrificed to placate the sun god and provide a successful harvest.
"Oh god! Oh Jesus Christ!!!"
Despite the protests of the now terrified policeman that the crops failed because fruit was not meant to grow on these islands, Howie is stripped naked, dressed in ceremonial robes and led to the summit of a cliff with his hands tied. He is horrified to find a giant, wooden Wicker man statue containing a range of animals, in which he is then locked inside. The statue is set ablaze…….
The stunning end scene of The Wicker Man
The movie soundtrack
An essential and sometimes overlooked component to the film is the accompanying soundtrack, which here provides a principle part of the story narrative. There are a number of superlative songs and pieces of musical score that accompany a number important scenes, such as the plane's arrival, Willow's dancing, the maypole dance, the girls jumping through fire, the search of the houses, the procession, and the final burning scene. Indeed, according to folklore, the director announced to a clearly surprised cast halfway through filming that they were actually making a musical!
Some of the movies songs were original compositions, arranged and recorded by Paul Giovanni. On occasion the soundtrack contains folk songs performed by characters in the film. The songs vary between traditional songs, original Giovanni compositions.
The Maypole song
"Willow's Song" has been covered or sampled by various rock music bands.
Willows song
The musical score to this day remains one of the most unusual in the entire genre: an assemblage of original, authentic folk songs and instrumental underscore that bring to mind a long forgotten, hauntingly discomfiting sense of displaced time and place. A form of folk-pop informed by ancient forces of nature and pagan belief. Long a holy grail among soundtrack aficionados.
Friday, 16 November 2012
Season 3 - Game Of Thrones
Winter is coming,er, in March
The ten episode-long new season of Game of Thrones will be based on the first half of "A Storm of Swords," the third book in George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series. However, whilst apart from a few exceptions, the first two seasons roughly corresponded to the first two books, the size of the third novel makes this virtually impossible to do the same. Consequently, it is anticipated that the plot line will be divided between the third and a potential (Come on HBO!) fourth season. As per the previous two series when some episodes have contained out of sequence plot lines, this again may happen in season 3.
Plot, character and new cast details are being kept well and truly under wraps at the moment. However, from the few tit bits of information that have been released we know that Clive Russell will be playing the role of Black Fish and the delicious Charlotte Hope will be playing Myranda.
When writing about the output of horror material from Universal studios I could talk about many things. I could talk about a the impact Universal had on a previously belittled film genre, providing a rich source of material and in the process becoming immensely influential in the horror film genre. All of which is virtually irrefutable.
I could talk in possibly grand terms about how Universal studios brought the themes and technical artistry of German Expressionism to Hollywood cinema and forever determined our concept of Gothic horror movies in the process.
I could also talk about how more than any other movie production company, the collection of work has left an indelible mark in the horror, thriller and Science Fiction cinema. In the process, becoming synonymous with the genre and creating some of the most iconic figures in all the history of film. The horror movie monsters that occupy our public consciousness all have their origins in the iconic 1930s and 1940s films produced by Universal. Yes, I could go on to talk about how there are some very early attempts at simultaneous movie domain with the characters of Dracula, Frankenstein's monster and the wolf man regularly transgressing into other movies from the Universal misters stable through sequels or 'guest appearances'.
But no, I won't mention those points…… I will though say simply that the impact on first seeing 'Frankenstein' as a young teenager was huge in regard to filling my world with amazing monsters and demons. To this day I can still recall the sense of shock and pleasure I felt on seeing those movies, particularly the first time I was allowed to stay up late and watch 'Frankenstein'. A result of which that night had me charging up the stairs to my room after the end-credits in an almost delicious blind panic that the monster would be waiting under my bed…..and no, I didn't dare look…….and do you know what? They have stood the test of time.
You may note that in the list below of my 5 favourite movies from Universal horror, that there is no entry or mention of a certain Transylvanian male vampire. This may or may not be controversial for some, but while Bela Lugosi's gave one of the iconic performances as Count Dracula, overall the film is actually rather disappointing. With the exception of a couple of performances, the majority of the cast are simply not very good. Moreover, whilst the iconic Gothic appearance of the film is there, the camera work is shoddy and lazy and there really isn't very much tension at any point in the film.
So anyone reading this may feel free to disagree with this list. But be warned, if you do I may just have to send my hunch-backed assistant out to collect you in the middle of the night…..Muraahahahahahaaaaaaa!
Frankenstein (1931)
"We are about to unfold the story of Frankenstein, a man of science who sought to create a man after his own image without reckoning upon God. It is one of the strangest tales ever told. It deals with the two great mysteries of creation – life and death. I think it will thrill you. It may shock you. It might even – horrify you. So if any of you feel that you do not care to subject your nerves to such a strain, now's your chance to – uh, well, we warned you."
There we have a rather courteous notice of intent before the opening credits of perhaps the most visually and stylistically iconic movies of all time about the scientist who builds an artificial man by using parts from stolen bodies. He succeeds, with the aid of an electrical storm, in bringing the creature to life but, because his assistant has provided the brain of a criminal, the creation proves impossible to control. Eventually the monster escapes, accidentally killing a small girl, and is pursued and apparently slain by angry villagers in the most energised of movie climaxes.
The movie features a stunning performance from a previously little-known English actor who was born by the name of William Pratt, better known as Boris Karloff who gave intricate texture to a character that could have been laughed off the screen. In the end he produced a pathetic and entirely sympathetic creation that has been a template for monster portrayal in cinema ever since.
The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Arguably a rare example of a movie sequel superior to the original and in my personal top10 movies of all time, Karloff reprises his role as the lumbering yet dignified monster. In the film, Dr Frankenstein is is now tormented by his previous actions and an unenthusiastic assistant to Dr Pretorius, his former mentor who is now pursuing his own creations of new life.
The delicious Elsa Lanchester, adds a touchingly mystified and vulnerable performance as the Bride who his immediately horrified by her own existence. The last horror film directed by James Whale features an evocative and powerful musical score that only further make this production of the finest and most touching cinematic productions of any era.
The Wolf Man (1941)
Although it is predated by an earlier Wolf Man film (The 1935 Werewolf Of London), this movie is regarded as the benchmark for inventing the cinematic werewolf legend, The ethereal atmospheres, complex scenes and another atmospheric musical score combine to make this a showpiece of the genre. The Wolf Man is a classic Universal horror movie, equal in every way in being as influential as Dracula or Frankenstein, complete with a sad and reflective script by Curt Siodmak and memorable performances from Lon Chaney Jnr, Claude Rains and Bela Lugosi .
Dracula's Daughter (1936)
As I've previously mentioned, to some people It may be almost blasphemous to say that the the original is actually a rather poor movie and that, Dracula's Daughter is a total improvement over the original….but in my opinion, its true. Gloria Holden is gloriously sexy as the Countess Marya Zaleska, who steals her her father's body from the authorities in the hope of cleansing her family from the horror of that nasty Vampire behaviour by burning his body. Of course, she is unable to resist the lure of the blood, in particular the blood of female victims which adds an interesting undertone of vampire Lesbianism that set the tone for Hammer productions some years later.
The movie cleverly contains range off inventive inclusions, apart from the lesbian subtext,comedy too is interjected. Dracula's Daughter is a gem that is often overlooked in the pantheon of Dracula-lore and should be regarded among the most peerless of the Universal horror films.
Most of us have certain books that provide a special resonance in our lives. Perhaps the book provides a meaning or explanation for our own life or some insight into society or wider human existence. Perhaps it represents a turning point in ones intellectual or artistic development. Or possibly, it may be a special book that simply provided escape from reality when we needed it most.
For me, in the case of this science fiction novel, it was probably the last two reasons as to why I fell in love, as a 16 year old boy with this somewhat bleak story of Nuclear Armageddon. Yes, once again we return to the subject of a dystopian future following the destruction of the planet……...
Level 7 is a book by the American writer Mordecai Roshwald written in 1959. The story takes the form of the diary by Officer X-127, who is assigned responsibility to control the "Push Buttons," a machine intended to set in motion the atomic destruction of the enemy - whoever they may be, in the country’s deepest emergency shelter four thousand feet underground. Level 7 has been built to withstand the most devastating nuclear offensive and to be completely self-sufficient to be able to function for up to five hundred years. Officer X-127, like the rest of the military personnel inhabitants of the shelter, has been selected according to a psychological profile that assures their willingness to obey their orders and essentially destroy all life on the planet. X-127 duly receives his orders to push the nuclear bomb buttons to begin the third world war , for which the duration of is merely a staggering total of just 2 hours and 58 minutes. As of that moment, the civilian population moves from the surface of the planet to a collection of underground shelter complexes on the the first 5 levels, while the military personnel already inhabit Levels 6 and 7. It later emerges that the orders given to blow the other side to pieces have been completely automated and that World War III has lasted less than three hours as a series of computer responses to an initial innocent misunderstanding between the two enemies. As the story progresses we learn that , the inhabitants are becoming affected by the war. Some of the military personal begin to question their blind obedience to their leaders - the most obvious case being the case of X-117 ( a friend of X-127) who commits suicide after he becomes overcome with guilt. Even here, the complete certainly of X-127 isn't shaken. "He certainly wasn't the right kind of man for Level 7" he says to himself.A couple from Level 3 go out to report on conditions, and are dead within 5 days, finding nothing but ash and darkness. In a short space of time, other civilians begin to be affected as the inhabitants of the surviving top shelters systematically begin to meet their deaths, as the surface radiation makes its way down past air filters and into ground water sources. Level 7 has sold hundreds of thousands of copies in the decades since it was written and should be quite rightly considered a masterpiece alongside such pieces of work as Huxley's 'Brave new World' as an example of anti-Utopian literature. It is easily the most powerful and remorseless attack on the whole nuclear madness that any work of fiction has ever produced. Take for example the passage where X-127 states that the neutral countries in the war have asked for information on the make-up of the weapons so that they can effectively try to take care of their populations as best they can. Both X-127's country and the enemy refuse, on the grounds that it may mean giving some of their own secrets away.
The book real genius of the book is that it is written in such a way to prevent the reader from identifying which side is which. References to society are structured as to be just as relevant to notions of Western democracy as to the construct of soviet Union society. Nor does the novel hint at any geographical references or individual names. It is left to us, the reader. Leaving the identification of nationality as ambiguous at best only emphasises to the book's themes of dehumanisation and blind obedience to authority and the illogicality of nuclear warfare.
Yes at times it is grim and harrowing. It is a masterpiece warning against the stupidity of mutual destruction and a book that has as much impact on me now as it did to that 16 year old boy many moons ago.
Kings return to the series…...There is no synopsis here because the simple fact is that I haven't read it yet - though I know for a fact that Santa may well have bought it me for Christmas in a couple of weeks…….. can't wait!
