Nabokov on Kafka (TV 1989)

Vladimir Nabokov, widely considered one of the world's greatest writers for such works as _Lolita_, was also a remarkable professor at Cornell University. Here, Plummer portrays the witty ... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Medak

Writer:

S.A.J. Thomas

Stars:

Christopher Plummer, Casey Brown, Melissa Koval

Cast

Credited cast:
Christopher Plummer	...	Vladimir Nabokov

Storyline

Vladimir Nabokov, widely considered one of the world's greatest writers for such works as _Lolita_, was also a remarkable professor at Cornell University. Here, Plummer portrays the witty Nabokov, providing an entertaining and insightful lecture upon "Metamorphosis," Kafka's bizarre story about a man who wakes up one morning to discover he has turned into a giant bug.

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Plot Keywords:

lecture | metamorphosis | short story | german literature

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Genres:

Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Also Known As:

Understanding the Metamorphosis

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kingston International Communications Inc., WQED

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on "Good readers and good writers: Franz Kafka: The Metamorphosis," from Nabokov's _Lectures on Literature_, vol. 1, 1980.

User Reviews

trite... watch only if you have to

I watched this tv show in my English Literature class after reading the Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. This short movie is basically a narration of Metamorphosis by Christopher Plummer (Sound Of Music), who poses as Nabukov, another famous writer, teaching a class.

If you've already read the story, don't watch it unless you have to. This show brings almost nothing new, and although Plummer isn't bad as a professor, sometimes his reading gets downright embarrassing and stupid when he starts reading really, really slow, as if his slow reading will bring about some dramatic effect (which doesn't). The only thing I thought was interesting was his depiction of what kind of bug Gregor really is, although I won't spoil that. Plummer's narration is abridged, and you can tell that this is a low budget flick. Doesn't work, skip it unless you're made to watch it like me. 5/10.