Fahrenheit 451: Classic sci-fi flick presented fascinating yet troubling view of future

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

As a kid, my older brother and I were dyed-in-the wool science fiction fans.

Actually, we were science fans first. We were children of the 1960s, when the U.S. space program was in a race to the moon versus the Soviet Union. My brother and I consumed every printed word and every broadcast image and sound that was related to NASA's Gemini and Apollo programs.

But in that day and time, the line between science and sci-fi seem pretty blurry. As a kid in that time, I felt that very few things were not possible if men set their minds to it.

Science would pave the way to a better future. Already we were hearing about the new technologies developed for the space program. It didn't seem like any sci-fi was too far-fetched.

But not all science fiction was as upbeat as NASA press releases. One of my Scholastic Book Club books was called "The Runaway Robot," which was a moral tale wrapped up in a sci-fi wrapper. A robot, treated like a slave, runs away from his master seeking a new owner who will offer more -- shall I say it? -- humane treatment. Pretty complex issues for a 1960s kids book.

And of course I had read and seen the movie version of H.G. Well's "Time Machine." What disappointing news to know the future may not be so wonderful after all!

I enjoyed films and books that explored the future, and it was with great interest that I read my brother's copy of Ray Bradbury's novel "Fahrenheit 451."

The movie was on Turner Classic Movies earlier this evening, and no matter how often I see it, I usually try to make time to see it again. What a classic story and film, though I think without Julie Christie it may have had a much smaller audience.

There are many interesting themes in the movie that make it worth watching. The society of the 24th century has determined that books are a detriment to the greater good and are illegal to own.

Firemen of the day don't put out fires, they create them in order to burn confiscated books.

News and information is presented by the media, which focuses on entertainment and propaganda. The emphasis is not on knowlege or seeking truth, but ignorance.

Life in the society centers around superficial things. Our protagonist, Montag, is a firemen who begins the novel happy with his job. He tells his neighbor "We burn them (the books) to ashes, and then we burn the ashes. That's our motto."

Montag gets curious about the books he burns, and eventually discovers the world beyond the superficial. As his self-realization continues, he becomes less and less happy with his loveless marriage and empty existence.

In the end, he and other societal outcasts (i.e., those who read books) serve as human libraries for the future of mankind.

The movie is certainly dated, and not really as good as the book, but it's still entertaining. My 13-year-old daughter and I -- both book lovers -- enjoy seeing it and discussing its interesting -- albeit troubling -- view of the future.