Among the new shows for this round of Amazon Pilot Season is an adaptation of The Man in the High Castle
I had lost track of the development of this series; the last news I had read was the this was going to be produced on the BBC some time ago and I was surprised to read only recently that it was a pilot that Amazon.com
My hope is that even if the series isn’t produced at least some viewers will be intrigued by what they saw and seek out the novel
Actually, I should state that my hope is that this pilot leads to a series. The writer, Frank Spotnitz, worked on the X-Files
So please watch, enjoy it and send in a positive survey response to the pilot. I’ve seen a lot of good reviews and press about this pilot so I’m very optimistic that it will be made into a series.
In spite of the obvious changes in the film, from the novel, the pilot had a wonderfully dense, layered atmosphere created by the sets, locations and music. Reminiscent of Blade Runner, known for its ambience, which is mostly due to Ridley Scott and Syd Mead.
I was very wary of this pilot and had low expectations, but needlessly so as it turns out. The pilot hewed to the general narrative line without trying to recreate the novel, which would be impossible, and anyone who has read the book will appreciate the various references scattered throughout the episode. Changes to major characters might be the hardest aspect for fans to negotiate, but as long as they don’t stretch things too far and keeping in mind this is just an adaptation, I hope they make a season of it.
I watched the pilot and enjoyed it, but watching the supposedly subjugated Americans going about their daily business as if it was 2014 raised 5 of my 8 eyebrows. Still, I’ll give it 6 pseudopodia up! Hope it goes into series production.
Many years ago I remember a BBC drama about the alternate history of the Nazi’s winning the war. Can’t for the life of me remember what it was called. Looking forward to watching this pilot.