Aelita
by Alexei N. Tolstoy
I grow fonder of the 1924 Russian film Aelita every time I watch it. All during my first viewing I just wanted the story to move along to the action on Mars. This does take a long time to happen. But upon repeating viewings, I get just as engrossed if not more because of the look the film provides on post-revolution Soviet economics and societal conditions.
Here's a brief comparison of the film and short novel (now read for the 2nd time):
SPOILERS
In the novel, Los is a widower.
In the film, a Soviet Commissar becomes friendly with his wife with and he kills her in a fit of jealousy.
In the novel, it is Los and the gung ho revolutionary soldier Gusev that travel to Mars. They do so merely because Los has invented an apparatus to travel there with no idea what they will find.
The film's voyagers include these two and as well as the comedic detective Kravtsev as a reluctant stowaway. Mars has already contacted Earth by this time.
The film adapts the books main points concerning the events on Mars. Los becomes enamored with Aelita. A revolt ferments amongst the Martian workers, There is a power struggle between Aelita and "dictator" Tuskub thrown into the mix.
The novel does not end in a dream as does the film. Instead Los returns to Earth to be haunted by Aelita's memory. Although I've even grown to forgive somewhat this copout ending, Aelita on the screen would have been improved in keeping this finale intact
written: 5/19/2002