MovieChat Forums > Stalker (1980) Discussion > Faithful Adaptation of 'Roadside Picnic'

Faithful Adaptation of 'Roadside Picnic'

posted 11 years ago by Edward_de_Vere
5 replies | jump to latest

On the one hand, I would love to see an adaptation of the Strugatsky brothers' Roadside Picnic that's more faithful to the book than Stalker, which is only loosely based on the novel. The book introduces a whole treasure trove of bizarre phenomena that would work great with the right FX team.

On the other hand, I know perfectly well that if Stalker is ever "remade," it won't be a faithful adaptation. Rather, it would be a generic Hollywood sci-fi film along the lines of Steven Soderbergh's second-rate remake of Solaris.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] Edward_de_Vere 11 years ago

I read Solaris a while ago and enjoyed it, though I can see why Lem was dissatisfied with its adaptations to the screen (i.e. ignoring most of the hard science fiction aspects). Tarkovsky's adaptation was obviously far removed from the source material, but still an interesting film in its own right. The Soderbergh adaptation seemed like a second-rate melodrama aboard a space ship (casting the hideously untalented, perpetually twitching Jeremy Davies in a supporting role didn't help any either).

[–] rmkeltz78 11 years ago

I think Stalker is among the greatest sci films ever, and I can't believe I'm actually going to say this, but if a good director, good cast, and good writers were to be attached to remaking it, I'd be for it. That being said, I would absolutely LOVE to see a faithful adaptation of Roadside Picnic, it's a favorite of mine.

[–] caller85071 10 years ago

I agree. Roadside Picnic is one of my favorite novels, and I would love to see a faithful adaptation produced by the right people. With that said, I actually think there could be another great lose adaption, one that is very different from Stalker. The novel really offers a few great ideas to be worked with.

[–] estocade 10 years ago

Tarkovsky's adaptation is great, but another adaptation by another director might be equally great. The book is definitely worth it.