Steppenwolf (film)
Encyclopedia
Steppenwolf is a 1974
film
adaptation of Hermann Hesse
's 1928 novel
of the same name. The film made heavy use of visual special effects that were cutting-edge at the time of its release.
The film took seven years of complicated pre-production for its producers Melvin Abner Fishman and Richard Herland. Fishman, a student of Jung
and alchemy
, wanted the film to be "the first Jungian film" and built up relationships with the Hesse family that allowed the film rights of the book to be released. Herland raised the finance.
Directors Michelangelo Antonioni
and John Frankenheimer
, as well as the actor James Coburn
were all touted to direct the film. In the end, the film was directed by its screenwriter, Fred Haines
.
Although Walter Matthau
, Jack Lemmon
and Timothy Leary
were all proposed as playing the main role of Harry Haller, the role eventually went to Max von Sydow
. In the other principal parts, Pierre Clementi
played Pablo and Dominique Sanda
took the role of Hermine. Although the film is in English, none of the principal actors was a native English speaker.
Finally, the rights to the finished film were entirely given over to Peter Sprague, its financier. A "marketing disaster" followed, this included the colour of the prints coming out incorrectly. The film has remained little seen.
1974 in film
The year 1974 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 7 - Blazing Saddles is released in the USA.*August 7 - Peter Wolf, lead singer of The J...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
adaptation of Hermann Hesse
Hermann Hesse
Hermann Hesse was a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. In 1946, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature...
's 1928 novel
Steppenwolf (novel)
Steppenwolf is the tenth novel by German-Swiss author Hermann Hesse. Originally published in Germany in 1927, it was first translated into English in 1929. Combining autobiographical and psychoanalytic elements, the novel was named after the lonesome wolf of the steppes...
of the same name. The film made heavy use of visual special effects that were cutting-edge at the time of its release.
The film took seven years of complicated pre-production for its producers Melvin Abner Fishman and Richard Herland. Fishman, a student of Jung
Jung
Carl Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist, an influential thinker and the founder of analytical psychology.Jung may also refer to:* Jung * JUNG, Java Universal Network/Graph Framework-See also:...
and alchemy
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
, wanted the film to be "the first Jungian film" and built up relationships with the Hesse family that allowed the film rights of the book to be released. Herland raised the finance.
Directors Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian modernist film director, screenwriter, editor and short story writer.- Personal life :...
and John Frankenheimer
John Frankenheimer
John Michael Frankenheimer was an American film and television director known for social dramas and action/suspense films...
, as well as the actor James Coburn
James Coburn
James Harrison Coburn III was an American film and television actor. Coburn appeared in nearly 70 films and made over 100 television appearances during his 45-year career, and played a wide range of roles and won an Academy Award for his supporting role as Glen Whitehouse in Affliction.A capable,...
were all touted to direct the film. In the end, the film was directed by its screenwriter, Fred Haines
Fred Haines
Fred Haines was an American screenwriter and film director.-Early life:Haines was born in Los Angeles, California in 1936, and later moved to Tucson, Arizona with his family. He joined the United States Navy in 1953, and served until 1956 when he received an honorable discharge...
.
Although Walter Matthau
Walter Matthau
Walter Matthau was an American actor best known for his role as Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple and his frequent collaborations with Odd Couple star Jack Lemmon, as well as his role as Coach Buttermaker in the 1976 comedy The Bad News Bears...
, Jack Lemmon
Jack Lemmon
John Uhler "Jack" Lemmon III was an American actor and musician. He starred in more than 60 films including Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, Mister Roberts , Days of Wine and Roses, The Great Race, Irma la Douce, The Odd Couple, Save the Tiger John Uhler "Jack" Lemmon III (February 8, 1925June...
and Timothy Leary
Timothy Leary
Timothy Francis Leary was an American psychologist and writer, known for his advocacy of psychedelic drugs. During a time when drugs like LSD and psilocybin were legal, Leary conducted experiments at Harvard University under the Harvard Psilocybin Project, resulting in the Concord Prison...
were all proposed as playing the main role of Harry Haller, the role eventually went to Max von Sydow
Max von Sydow
Max von Sydow is a Swedish actor. He has also held French citizenship since 2002. He has starred in many films and had supporting roles in dozens more...
. In the other principal parts, Pierre Clementi
Pierre Clémenti
Pierre Clémenti was a French actor.Born in Paris, Clémenti studied drama and began his acting career in the theatre. He secured his first minor screen roles in 1960 in Yves Allégret's Chien de pique performing alongside Eddie Constantine...
played Pablo and Dominique Sanda
Dominique Sanda
Dominique Sanda is a French actress and former fashion model.Sanda was born as Dominique Marie-Françoise Renée Varaigne in Paris to Lucienne and Gérard Varaigne...
took the role of Hermine. Although the film is in English, none of the principal actors was a native English speaker.
Finally, the rights to the finished film were entirely given over to Peter Sprague, its financier. A "marketing disaster" followed, this included the colour of the prints coming out incorrectly. The film has remained little seen.