ALL THE KING'S HORSES was my favorite story of "Welcome to the Monkey House", from one of the greatest and most imaginative of American authors, the last "published" one.
It's a short story, and perhaps Vonnegut's most harrowing, easily the most theatrical and dramatic.
For those unacquainted with the story, it's the story of 16 Americans in the military captured by hostile forces and forced to portray chessman on a large board, in which the leader makes moves that result in either their life or death.
Added to this is the fact that the leader's wife and two boys are also on the chessboard.
Not to give away more, in this instance, there is only one boy, which is all the story really needs.
The adaptation to screen is done perfectly. In this case, the hostile rebel leader is somewhat different than the mindless cut throat of the short story, and that helps to make the points of the story.
I always thought this would make great theater, and this episode did not disappoint me one bit. The few alterations made for not only the same point and a better story, but also for a more credible one.
Stick this under "hidden gems".
It's a short story, and perhaps Vonnegut's most harrowing, easily the most theatrical and dramatic.
For those unacquainted with the story, it's the story of 16 Americans in the military captured by hostile forces and forced to portray chessman on a large board, in which the leader makes moves that result in either their life or death.
Added to this is the fact that the leader's wife and two boys are also on the chessboard.
Not to give away more, in this instance, there is only one boy, which is all the story really needs.
The adaptation to screen is done perfectly. In this case, the hostile rebel leader is somewhat different than the mindless cut throat of the short story, and that helps to make the points of the story.
I always thought this would make great theater, and this episode did not disappoint me one bit. The few alterations made for not only the same point and a better story, but also for a more credible one.
Stick this under "hidden gems".
