One of my fave books in recent years The Road by Cormac McCarthy (author of No Country for Old Men) is finally going to make it to the big screen. A film version of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel starring Viggo Mortensen has already been shot and finished and was originally set for release last year but due to worries about the film’s ability to win awards, it was shelved for release this year. At long last, a movie trailer has been released and we finally get our first look at the film’s footage … but first, here is what the movie poster looks like:
If you’ve read the book, then you know how amazing it is in its chilling simplicity. No book has moved/disturbed me as much as The Road has. I love the book so much, I gave away as many copies as I could to my friends because I just wanted them to read it for themselves. It’s so good. Judging by the new trailer, it looks like the heart and soul of the novel has been kept intact for the big screen. After the jump, check out the movie trailer for The Road in full …
OMG. I love it. I urge you all to READ THIS BOOK if it looks interesting to you. Read the book then see the movie … you’ve got time. I promise, the book is really spectacular. I got chills just from watching this trailer … I may have to read the book again myself. This is truly the movie I am most looking forward to seeing this year.
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Also, check out 0:27 and 1:03 in the trailer. You can see needles on the pine trees. In the book, EVERYTHING is dead. Everything. For years. And covered in thick layers of ash. Ugh.
I guess I’m the only one who didn’t really love the book?? I have only read it once and I will admit that sometimes on a reread I change my mind, but I did not feel moved by the book at all. I usually like almost everything you recommend though Trent, so maybe I’ll give it a reread, just for you :)
i dont know if the movie can have as much power as the book. in the book i felt lost without the speaker tabs and chapters, in a movie it will be real and i really loved the book for its dream like quality…
I fell in love with this book and am so happy to hear that it is reaching the big screen. I think it sends and utterly scary message that I think all should here.
The story is way to scary to sit and watch in a 2 hr period, I had to put the book down and walk away so many times….return when ready…the film just looks tense and ..well. Scary.
Amazing book! Cant wait to see it brought to life with an amazing cast…
I don’t know if I can connect with the kid. He looks too old.
One of the best books I’ve ever read. I’m disappointed by the trailer though…it doesn’t look desolate enough. Too Hollywood.
Trent, have you read the book Shane?
Am I dense, need glasses – where is Guy Pearce?
periz & Jenny–
I agree, the transition to film appears to have been too big of a task. they defo beefed up the plot, good guys/bad guys feel rather than the questions of human nature that the book forces on you. I think maybe with the right indy film creator it may have felt more accurate to the book. but yes, too much holywood – the book fans will be sad and the while the others wont have quite enough action and scifi… bummer. Stil going to see it tho! (Lord of the Flys movie still managed to knock the crap out of me, so maybe…)
I agree with Erik and Jenny. The movie looks…good…but it doesn’t seem like it’ll live up to the dreariness of the book. I assume they had to throw in the explosions and whatnot just to please the producer and get the movie made. I will see it anyway, so that I can form my own opinion; I’m sure it’ll be worth my 8 dollars!
I have had the book on my book shelf for two years along with many others I keep saying I have to make time to read. After watching the trailer I MUST make time this summer to read it the movie looks incredible I can only imagine how wonderful the book is.
I have had this book sitting on my bedside table for about a year now and haven’t had the notion to start reading it.
I think I will start over the weekend :)
Good looking out Trent! This book was one of the most amazing reads of my life and as soon as I heard Viggo was gonna be in the movie, I died inside a little….from excitement! Do you know who will be playing the old man towards the end?
PS I saw David on E! yesterday!
Well, where was Guy Pearce in the trailer? He’s a brilliant actor … and I didn’t see him….
I read this book with my Girls Book Club and I was one of the few who hated it- I hated all the ambiguity and could never feel a connection to the characters whatsoever. It did provoke some thoughts about survival and how to cope when you’re constantly living in fear, but I had a hard time buying into the book. I’ll still see the movie, just because I’m interested in how it will adapt to the big screen. I wouldn’t recommend this book, but I’m happy that other people were able to get so much out of it!
Meh, the trailer doesn’t make me want to see the movie, and as far as reading the book, I’ve been burned by Trent’s recommendations before. I tried reading the book House of Leaves (which Trent gushed about), and couldn’t even get all the way through it. I hated that book.
@Lori — aww, sorry. House of Leaves is a genius book. If you don’t like The Road then I think it’s safe to assume we don’t have the same literary taste.
The Road is the most thought-provoking, disturbing book I’ve ever read. It’s scary because you can imagine humans acting this way when put in this situation. I highly recommend reading it, though it’s not an easy thing to have in your head.
Trent–once I saw this post I immediately downloaded it to my kindle and read it all last night–amazing. I just tossed and turned last night because I kept thinking about it and couldn’t fall asleep–keep the recommendations coming!
Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower series echoes some of themes in The Road — a bit differently, but also questions what survival means if not love.
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