Can you name this movie?

March 7, 2006 3:52 AM

Can you ID this circa 1979/1980 movie?

I saw part of a movie in very late 1979 or very early 1980, I think on PBS, although I had the impression it was a British import. Here's what little I remember about the content: a white man was dating a black woman, there may have been a threat of the end of the world happening, and at some point, the film (and, I think, by extension reality) changes from color to black and white, or vice versa. I'm inclined to say that it went from color to black and white, with the implication that skin color becomes irrelevant. Any ideas?

posted by kimota to media & arts (7 comments total)

Lathe of Heaven. http://imdb.com/title/tt0081036/

Based on the book by Ursula K. Le Guin. One of my favorites.

There was also a more recent version, http://imdb.com/title/tt0290230/ , but it was not worth watching IMO.
posted by gregvr at 4:03 AM on March 7, 2006

Whoops-- screwed up the links:

The 1980 version: http://imdb.com/title/tt0081036/

The 2002 version: http://imdb.com/title/tt0290230/
posted by gregvr at 4:15 AM on March 7, 2006

The original is available on DVD, and includes a nice interview with Le Guin. I saw it on PBS when I was 10, and it really made a lasting impression on me. Particularly the end, as you noted, where it all goes black and white (or gray). I have to say, it holds up pretty well, special effects aside.
posted by schoolgirl report at 6:54 AM on March 7, 2006

Awesome! Thanks!
posted by kimota at 7:01 AM on March 7, 2006

The PBS version was much better than the recent remake.
posted by Astro Zombie at 8:51 AM on March 7, 2006

I will also agree that the recent version is a steaming pile of ass; the pbs version is way better considering its budget was miniscule. It looks rather dated but the story is good. I also highly recommend reading the book.
posted by jockc at 11:26 AM on March 7, 2006

The really embarrassing thing is, ten years ago, I had a girlfriend who loved Le Guin, and about a year ago, my best friend let me borrow the book, but I never got around to reading it! So close.... Thanks, everyone!
posted by kimota at 6:36 PM on March 7, 2006