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The Illustrated Man
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Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Warner Brothers
EAN: 0085391112013
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Item Dimensions: 100
Label: Warner Home Video
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled),
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
MPN: 111201
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Region Code: 1
Release Date: December 19, 2006
Running Time: 103 minutes
Studio: Warner Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: March 26, 1969
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Editorial Review:
Ray Bradbury's celebrated fiction has been notoriously resistant to screen adaptation, but that hasn't stopped the flawed film version of The Illustrated Man from gaining a small but devoted following. First published in 1951, Bradbury's classic book consisted of 18 stories framed by the tale of a man whose entire body is a living canvas of exotic tattoos, or "skin illustrations," each inviting the reader/viewer into Bradbury's ominous realm of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. In the film, this framing story takes place in Depression-era America, where a young drifter named Willie (well played by Robert Drivas) encounters Carl (Rod Steiger), the gruffly eccentric Illustrated Man. Gazing upon Carl's mesmerizing tattoos, Willie is transported into three of the 18 stories in Bradbury's collection. A pioneering exercise in virtual reality, "The Veldt" features a high-tech playroom (a precursor to Star Trek: The Next Generation's holodeck) where two children select an African veldt as their favorite virtual playground, ultimately trapping their parents (played by real-life couple Steiger and then-wife Claire Bloom) in a place of deadly danger. "The Long Rains" finds a quartet of astronauts (including Steiger and Drivas) stranded on Venus, where an incessant downpour preys on their sanity. "The Last Night of the World" takes place on the eve of a nuclear holocaust, as a desperate couple (again played by Steiger and Bloom) agonizes over the decision to euthanize their children before the end of the world.
As adapted by Howard B. Kreitsek and directed by Jack Smight (best known for Airport '75 and episodes of the original Twilight Zone), none of these stories work as well as the framing device, in which Steiger gives a brashly volatile performance. The story selection is curiously misguided and poorly executed, and Smight predictably fails to capture Bradbury's elusive quality of poetic allegory. Anthology films are always hit-or-miss anyway, but The Illustrated Man is more pretentiously frustrating than most (and more dated, especially in terms of sets and costumes), although it effectively captures the dreamy, contemplative tone that prevailed in many "art" films of the late '60s. If seen in the right mood, it's the kind of failed experiment that makes a lasting impression, despite its many shortcomings. --Jeff Shannon
Rod Steiger plays the tattoo-covered title role in this fascinating vision of doom and danger based on the classic short story collection by futurist Ray Bradbury. Robert Drivas portrays a good-natured drifter who can't tear his eyes from Steiger's freakish illustrations. And Claire Bloom is the mysterious seductress who created the "art" that curses its bearer - and comes to life in a nightmarish trio of tales. Two spoiled children turn playtime into slay time (from The Veldt). Shipwrecked astronauts wander across a planet cursed by The Long Rain. And loving parents choose their children's fate when the end nears (from The Last Night of the World). Every one of The Illustrated Man's pictures tells a story.And every story ends in terror.Running Time: 103 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 085391112013 Manufacturer No: 111201
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - MIND BLOWING
This is one of my most favorite movies it makes you think and thats good if a writer can do that. you must see and own this one. Rod Steiger was born for this one he was perfect for this part, Claire Bloom laked something but still did a good job. if they want a movie to remake with todays cg this is one to do.
Rating: - Oldie but Goodie
Good video (not outstanding, but good). The extra's are fun, but the quality is not very good. If you are a science fiction fan, this is a must-see and is probably the best quality you can get.
Rating:  - Reminiscent Of The Twilight Zone
Though I am familiar with some of the work of Ray Bradbury and have enjoyed what stories of his I have read, I never read the anthology of stories that made up The Illustrated Man. But I bought this movie anyhow to see how his stories might work on film.
The answer is they don't work very well as presented here. In the first place, if this is a Depression-era story, then drifter Robert Drivas' haircut is definitely out of place. He looks just like a typical late-1960s teenager. Secondly, the ... Read More
Rating:  - Steiger is great, but ...
Rod Steiger gives a great performance in this one. He is very disturbing. I was VERY disappointed with the movie though. It is very slow and does not even come close to living up to the book. Yes ... it is very surreal and builds some atmosphere, but it basically made me yawn after the first 30 minutes and wonder how the screen writer got so far away from the book. Read the book and pass on this one.
Rating: - Paul Scott
For all those people who are fans of classic sci/fi movies,already know of this movie and are like me and have'nt seen this movie since they were are kid, rest assure you will not be dissappointed. The 2 channel sound reproduction is excellent but I was more impressed with the picture quality which is superb. Skin tones and facial detail come alive and outdoor scenes are soft and clear in this amazing DVD transfer. If you have'nt seen this movie for a while in my opinion the story's still hold up very ... Read More
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