Counterfeit Worlds: Philip K. Dick on Film

by Brian J. Robb

From Blade Runner to the forthcoming A Scanner Darkly (starring Keanu Reeves), via Total Recall, Screamers, Impostor, Paycheck and Tom Cruise in Minority Report, the legacy of science fiction writer Philip K. Dick has revolutionised Hollywood. Counterfeit Worlds is the definitive history of all the adaptations of Dick's work, not only the films but also TV series, radio plays, even operas and computer games. Beginning with a concise biography of Dick, acclaimed writer Brian J. Robb looks at the evolution and production of each project in depth, along the way uncovering a wealth of new information, including the stories behind the fascinating unmade film Ubik (with a screenplay by Dick himself), and the stillborn sequels to Total Recall and the legendary Blade Runner.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2006

About the author

Brian J. Robb is the New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling biographer of Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, and Brad Pitt. He has also written books on silent cinema, the films of Philip K. Dick, Wes Craven, and Laurel and Hardy, the Star Wars movies, Superheroes, Gangsters, and Walt Disney, as well as science fiction television series Doctor Who and Star Trek. His illustrated books include an Illustrated History of Steampunk and a guide to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth (Winner, Best Book, Tolkien Society Awards). He writes and edits the Chaplin: Film by Film centenary blog site and is co-editor of the Sci-Fi Bulletin website. He lives in Edinburgh.

Reviews

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would have benefited from a skilled copy editor. Despite that annoyance, I liked it for providing a decent overview of PKD's life and work and an in-depth look at the adaptation processes by which his stories have been brought to film. It also pays proper homage to his far-reaching influence on modern consciousness. It's a useful addition to anyone's SF or PKD library.

[David Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative look at the film adaptations of Philip K Dick. Covers a very wide spectrum from the biography of the author himself as well as his influence on the wider world of entertainment.

[David Agranoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should not that I read a pre-release of a new edition that is updated. It is really great. Full review podcast interview coming up.

-David

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brilliant, whacked.

[Scott W. Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting look at Philip K. Dick and his stories, and how they were transformed into film. I didn't read the entire book but will certainly return to it another day.