Review by C.J. Bunce
“Get ready for a surprise!”
Approaching its 35th anniversary, what better time to look back to one of the most exciting and best-loved sci-fi blockbusters. Total Recall came out of nowhere in 1990, with just a cryptic movie poster and not much else to let audiences know what was coming. But the movie went through more than 15 years of development, and fans may be surprised to know that it only got made because Arnold Schwarzenegger made it happen.
New interviews with Arnold and director Paul Verhoeven join a full history and hundreds of photographs you haven’t seen before in Simon Braund’s Total Recall: The Official Story of the Film, available for pre-order now here at Amazon, coming your way next month.
The book takes you back to the beginning, with a discussion of Philip K. Dick, the man who became far more successful after his death for his deep catalog of sci-fi novels and short stories (always one of our favorite subjects here at borg). Dick’s story “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale” is discussed in depth, how it was revisited, dissected, and put back together by about a dozen writers before we’d see it on the big screen to start off the 1990s.
It’s a long time coming. This is the official retrospective, oversized hardback, coffee table style book telling the story. The author brings in members of the crew to share the good and the bad, from involvement with the great writer Dan O’Bannon, to a rough production without many resources in Mexico. Ronald Shusett, O’Bannon, Dino DeLaurentis–many key players were involved early on. Richard Dreyfuss was favored to star as Douglas Quail–changed to Douglas Quaid, a desk worker whose role would be significantly updated for the final. Early on William Hurt was considered for Quaid, as well as Sam Neill and Patrick Swayze. What a different movie it could have been.
The book features a big history of the film from the struggles to create the right script, to getting the project off the ground, to making and marketing the movie. The text doesn’t track the images, so readers have two paths to take. Simon Braund’s history is a fun read and retrospective. Then the photography pieces provide another chronology, filled with concept art, behind-the-scenes process shots, and set and film clips.
Look for some concept artwork by the great Ron Cobb, and many images of costume designs and props, too, along with Verhoeven’s own storyboard sketches. Verhoeven was responsible for bringing the violence, something the press of the day and politicians had a field day with. Verhoeven says the final R-Rated version was a censorsed cut of his vision.
Readers will learn Basil Poledouris was the original choice for the score, with Jerry Goldsmith the final choice. Verhoeven recounts working with Goldsmith in the book. The score is still in print (available here).
All those special effects that won the movie a Special Achievement honor at the Academy Awards are covered, including lots of Martian makeups, the infamous subway x-ray scene, and the camouflage head piece for Quaid as a woman.
Kyle Lambert’s brilliant art for the 1990 soundtrack adorns the book. The author also provides a quick nod to key tie-ins, including the 1999 TV show Total Recall 2070 and the 2012 movie remake starring Colin Farrell.
Sci-fans, this is for you. Don’t miss it. Pre-order Total Recall: The Official Story of the Film now here at Amazon. It’s scheduled to ship September 3, 2024.
