Norman Mailer book is picked up three days after his death

By Matt Holmes / June 25, 2011

It's a little unfair maybe to call this move exploitational because... A) A deal like this just doesn't happen in a few days. B) It's a deal secured by his son. But still the timing is curious on this one. Three days after Norman Mailer's death on Saturday night and it's been reported by The Hollywood Reporter that his son John has secured the film rights to his father's debut 1948 novel THE NAKED AND THE DEAD and has revealed plans to produce the film alongside the media company Tar Art.

The book as you can tell clearly from the cover is a war novel which is actually based on Mailer's own World War II experiences. THE NAKED AND THE DEAD has already received the big screen treatment before, all the way back in 1958 from one of Hollywood's earliest action directors Raoul Walsh. The movie starred Aldo Ray and a certain Cliff Robertson, the latter of whom would go on to play Uncle Ben in the SPIDER-MAN movies. He's the one on the right here from this still from the film...

From Wiki...

Set in the South Pacific and dealing primarily with a single reconnaissance platoon of riflemen, the novel contains several combat scenes, but focuses on the psychological portraits of the men in the squad. The tension of the novel derives mostly from the conflict between officers and men, including the lieutenant of the squad and the men under him as well as his superiors. The novel questions the impact of high-ranking officers and their decisions on the outcomes of military campaigns.

Advertisement

Extremely relevant story for today's climate but again these movies have very limited box office potential. Some of cinema's highest paid actors over the last ten weeks have tried tackling this kind of subject matter and although the final product may be significant works of film and may well win them critical and awards acclaim, I'm surprised movie studio's or indeed agents are still happy to go along with them because they just aren't making money.

I've never seen the film or read the book, so I'm new on this one but it does sound like a really relevant tale. I'm hoping this one gets through the creative process and I'm certain the material here will capture the imagination of a talented helmer out there.