Many of us that grew up in the late fifties and early sixties became fans of science fiction through the near constant exposure to ‘B’ flicks and pulp soft covered books of the genre. In our real lives this was a time when science was making previously unheard of strides brining us into a promised paradise where technology would solve the problems of mankind. Now half a century later we do live in a world where technology has exploded and is present in most American homes. Science fiction is still one of the most popular genres in television, literature and film and we still love it. The power of Sci-Fi is the fact that is in bound only by the imagination. It can bring us to new worlds and allow us to meet creatures much different from ourselves. While it is a great form of entertainment there is a branch of Sci-Fi that uses the fantastic stories and premises to provide a look deep into the human condition. An author or film maker can probe topics that otherwise would be too sensitive with regular fiction. A robot can be a reflection of mankind; an alien can exhibit greater human qualities that we frequently display. Like millions of others I have always shad a special place for stories that delve into the psychology of what it means to be human. Science fiction is perfect for this since it is able to provide circumstances and characters that can go beyond what normal is; pushing the limits of our minds. One of the greatest science fiction authors in this regard is Ursula Le Guin.

Le Guin is perhaps best known for her ‘Earthsea’ novels but that work only scratches the surface of her talent. Her stories are deeply psychological; they look at what makes us tick in a way that the reader is prompted to a period of deep self reflection. In 1980 one of her best novels, ‘The Lathe of Heaven’ and like most of Ms Le Guin’s works it begins with a simple premise and quickly becomes an involved story whose many layers will initiate hours of conversation. This was the first of her works to be made into a film. It was also the first made for television movie for PBS through WNET Channel 13 New York and has become one of the most popular and requested programs they ever had. My wife and I were both already fans of Le Guin and I remember our excitement when this was first broadcast on television. It was everything we had hoped for and more. Watching it was almost like re-reading the novel. It has been remade in 2002 by A&E but the original is still the best representation of the story that you can see. This is a DVD that may lack many of the glossy extras and slick production that most have become accustomed to watching but the story is the thing and that is stellar.

Most of us had heard the phrase that dreams can come true. Parents tell this to their children to assure them that they can reach for something that seems beyond their reach and if they work hard enough it will happen. Le Guin takes this innocent little saying and turns it on its ear. The screenplay was written by Diane English and Roger Swaybill. This was the first script for English but Swaybill previously wrote the crime thriller ‘Breaking Point’. All aspects of the production were done in close association with Ms Le Guin. It is exceptionally rare for the author of a novel to be so respected and included in such a project but since this was a public television production they went into it with a dedication to quality more than profit. In the story a meek, mild tempered man, George Orr (Bruce Davison) has a powerful ability. He can change reality with his dreams; what he dreams literally comes true. The power is such that all of history may be altered to make the new reality come to be. He changes not only the present and future but the past. In trying to avoid sleeping he winds up under the care of a psychiatrist, William Haber (Kevin Conway), who specializes in sleep disorders. Haber discovers Orr’s ability and tries to use it to correct the many problems of the world. There is such a degree of complexity inherent in this story that it is amazing. It examines man’s desire to control his destiny; to alter the world around him. Then there is another need; one that is often in direct conflict with the first, trying to control another human being. A man can do great harm to others even though his intentions are noble. Haber starts out wanting to make the world a better place but is soon corrupted by his control of a man with unlimited power.

Fred Barzyk and David R. Loxton due an amazing job of directing this film; breaking new ground with the first production made for public television. Without the constant eye of studio executives worried about the financial success of the film they were able to craft a faithful rendition of the novel. They were both greatly involved with a previous work that made its way to PBS; ‘Between Time and Timbuktu’. This was an anthology of sorts based on the works of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. As such they were used to working on bringing an author’s vision to life. With the modest budget afforded to public television they didn’t have a lot to work with but they created something so worth while with so little. The story is jumpy; a necessity since reality is in a state of constant flux. They rely heavily on visual clues to help ground the production and allow the audience to experience what it is like to be George. It is one thing to craft a story that is deep in meaning but these men go beyond that laudable goal and present a film that is as entertaining as it is engrossing.

George Orr is troubled and confused when he is assigned mandatory treatment by Dr. Haber. He had been abusing drugs to avoid sleep and Haber is given what he at first thinks is a routine case. Haber hypnotizes Orr and makes a simple suggestion to determine if the young man can change reality. Since Haber is there during the change is becomes aware of the both the old and new world. He then starts to use Orr to improve the condition on humanity. Things never go the way he thinks though. George becomes upset with the control Haber has and seeks a legal remedy with a civil liberties lawyer Heather LeLache (Margaret Avery). At first she dismisses George but begins to realize the truth. At one point Haber has George dream away racial strife. In the dream the solution is simple; all people always have been grey; there are no races. George was falling in love with Heather but in this world she can’t exist. A large part of what made Heather a person was her biracial background and without race she cannot exist. To solve overpopulation the dream results in a vast plague that wiped out most of humanity. George is aware of all the changes and feels the burden of in effect killing billions of people.

Fans of television classic science fiction may recognize the control voice for the new Outer Limits. Here he is part of a wonderful cast of talented actors that embody the characters of the novel to perfection. The term masterpiece is used frequently but in this case it is true. This is simply one of the best pieces of science fiction available and all true fans must add it to their collection.