Author Archives: iandouglasmiles

The Visitor  by Ian Miles The cat turned to face me.  “Something terrible is going to happen” she said. Her voice was like that of a very young child. I woke in confusion. It must have been a dream. In dreams, I am rarely surprised even by the most remarkable happenings. But what woke meContinue reading “The Visitor (very short story)”

So, on this anniversary year, what are we to make of Vernilak’s life and legacy? He is rightly celebrated among both producers (especially in Europe and Asia) and their usual enemies, film critics (in many regions of the world). His work has cult followings in several locations, often extending beyond SF fans and those passionateContinue reading “A Good Egg – part 6 (Vernilak’s Legacy)”

Hatchlings was initially a slow-burner, but eventually did unusually well for an “Eastern” film in many Western countries. It continues to be listed as among the top twenty SF films. After two successful films, Vernilak was becoming a name to be reckoned with. The relative failure of his next release, Shambala (1973), was thus aContinue reading “A Good Egg – part 5 (“Shambala” and “Swansong”)”

Vernilak was by no means untouched by the political upheavals of the mid-1960s.  He came in for more than his share of criticism from official quarters, as the leader himself ailed and his coterie squabbled over the course that the revolution might take in the case of his demise. It was in this period thatContinue reading “A Good Egg – part 4 (“Hatchlings”)”

Perhaps Vernilak was wounded by the poor critical reception of Prisoners. Perhaps he felt that he had served his time producing films catering to aesthetic sensibilities inferior to his own. Perhaps the serious illness that afflicted the leader in the mid-1960s gave him a sense of greater freedom, perhaps the souring of his affair withContinue reading “A Good Egg – part 3 (“As It Was”)”

Vernilak’s name does not appear on any films for almost five years. We can imagine him honing his craft and building strong relationships with the film-making community, especially that centered on the National School of Photographic, Cinematographic and Televisual Arts.  (He spoke warmly of the School in his interviews.) He will no doubt be amongContinue reading “A Good Egg – part 2 (The “Interplanetary” Trilogy)”

A GOOD EGG. Part 1 – Introduction and “Mystery Jet”