Michael Crichton Has Died
Posted by Dirty Harry on Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
Because of his enormous storytelling skills and vast knowedge of science, Michael Crichton always had my admiration, but he forever earned my respect in taking on the liberal orthodoxy of global warming, which we all know is socialism disguised as nonsense.
To this day, one of my very favorite escape films is The Great Train Robbery (1979), which Crichton both directed and adapted from his own novel - a perfect example of what’s meant by the term, rippin’ good yarn. I also retain a soft spot for The 13th Warrior (1999), a near-perfect blend of adventure and horror which he wrote and co-directed.
Imagination, skill, curiosity, and a fearless dedication to truth.
We are running out of good men.
Filed in General |
Daliaon 05 Nov 2008 at 12:47 pm 1Very sad news indeed. I also have a soft spot for The Thirteenth Warrior. He was a true creative spirit and will be missed.
John Miltonon 05 Nov 2008 at 12:49 pm 2Jurassic Park changed my life, and the 13th Warrior ranks as one of my top ten films (and Eaters of the Dead was terribly clever when it was first released.)
I never believed one bit of the global warming nonsense, but State of Fear helped me clearly see the idiocy at work.
One of my favorite modern authors. He will be greatly missed. I just hope that last, as yet unreleased, novel is a great one.
Mr Stay Pufton 05 Nov 2008 at 1:00 pm 3Each new release was automatically added to my Christmas list. I’ll miss his work. Rest in Peace.
Rusty Jameson 05 Nov 2008 at 1:02 pm 4I’ve gotten into a lot of debates here on climate change. Creighton’s writing on the issue was lucid and provocative. A great intellect.
Nickon 05 Nov 2008 at 1:20 pm 5This is a horrible shock and very sad. Michael Crichton was one of my all-time favorite authors. His books were the perfect combination of entertainment and information. How many authors give you a bibliography of all the sources used in writing a novel? In the few interviews I’ve seen of him, he always appeared to be an incredibly well-spoken, informed, and very thoughtful guy.
I remember feeling a little nervous when I heard he was writing a novel about global warming, so, like DH said, I gained even more respect for him when it turned out he put forth a thoughtful, sober analysis of the issue.
I am really going to miss looking forward to reading his new novels.
wanketteon 05 Nov 2008 at 1:20 pm 6Oh, mannnn…
I loved the novel “The Great Train Robbery” too — the first of his that I read. A decent movie, too.
And “13th Warrior” was an underrated pleasure. Great match of writer & director.
Too young. And the older I get, the more I say that.
Kiton 05 Nov 2008 at 1:23 pm 7I still haven’t quite accepted it.
Shocking, indeed.
Nate Winchesteron 05 Nov 2008 at 1:24 pm 8In my high school years, I became a big fan of his and read a lot of his books (Sphere remains my favorite). Now when I look back, I may have some stylistic qualms with his work, but he commands my respect nonetheless for his creative spirit.
Would that someday I might be half the author and man that Mr Crichton was. And I must admit, he’s on my list of authors to someday, on the other side of the veil, share a drink and a talk with.
Farewell good sir. I miss you already.
Elizabetheon 05 Nov 2008 at 1:26 pm 9I hadn’t realized he did the 13th Warrior. It was an awesome movie, like wankette said, totally underrated and off the radar of most people. Totally worth the fact that I saw it on a first date with someone who never made it to a second date.
Mulholland Kevinon 05 Nov 2008 at 1:30 pm 10When we watched The Great Train Robbery on DVD we were puzzled by one setting that just flashed by with no explanation. During a chase scene the chasers and chased go zipping through this sordid, dark room with ropes stretched about chest-high from wall to wall. A bunch of scruffy gentlemen have their arms hanging over the lines and are sort of leaning into the lines and seem to be asleep. What the…?
Turns out there was an explanation, but it was on the director’s commentary portion of the DVD. In Victorian England there actually were rooms like that where the VERY poor could grab a little shut-eye without either paying for a room or sleeping in the street. Such a room was called “two-pence lean-to.”
I only mention it because it’s just the sort of cool thing you learn by the way from Michael Crichton. R.I.P.
ScottDSon 05 Nov 2008 at 1:34 pm 11(taken from another thread and lengthened):
When I was in high school, Sphere was released in theaters and the science students had to read the novel for class. I didn’t because I was in the advanced class but I even asked my teacher if I could read it anyway, perhaps for extra credit. He declined.
I’ve been on a Crichton kick lately (in between Star Trek novels). In his memory, I think I’ll try to seek out The Great Train Robbery at the library this weekend and read it with Jerry Goldsmith’s score for the film playing in the background.
On a lighter note, a friend and I saw Crichton’s movie Runaway last year (in HD!). I had only seen bits and pieces of it before but, afterwards, we couldn’t have a conversation without one of us calling the other one, “Ramsaaaay!” No wonder Gene Simmons doesn’t act more often.
Kiton 05 Nov 2008 at 1:35 pm 12Oh, and I LOVED 13th Warrior. Fine action film.
Coolest scene in the film:
(And one of the most badass speeches in film)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN-no1Ka7yU&feature=related
“Lo there do I see my father.
Lo there do I see my mother.
Lo there do I see my brothers and my sisters.
Lo there do I see the line of my people back to the beginning.
Lo they do call to me;
they bid me take my place among them in the Halls of Valhalla,
where the brave may live forever.”
Then Ahmed’s prayer:
Merciful Father, I have squandered my days with plans of many things. This was not among them. But at this moment, I beg only to live the next few minutes well. For all we ought to have thought, and have not thought; all we ought to have said, and have not said; all we ought to have done, and have not done; I pray thee God for forgiveness.
T.S.Benchon 05 Nov 2008 at 1:39 pm 13There is a Charlie Rose interview with Crichton on Youtube (you can link to it via Instapundit) where he discusses, amongst other things, the grief he took after writing the book skeptical of global warming. Good stuff.
Regards,
TSB
Growltigeron 05 Nov 2008 at 1:47 pm 14Rest in peace, Dr. Crichton.
He was my favorite author. I read every book he wrote.
What struck me most was his intelligence and the diversity of his interests. Global warming. He studied it. He did his research. Cloning (”Jurassic Park”) ibid. He delved into nano particles in “Prey” and explained quantum physics in “Timeline”.
All his books weren’t the best, but the underlying research was always there.
Kiton 05 Nov 2008 at 1:51 pm 15The Jules Verne of Our Generation is Dead.
WHY OH WHY?!?!
Maryon 05 Nov 2008 at 1:55 pm 16My childhood obsession with Jurassic Park was THE reason I wanted to get into movies. It kickstarted my whole love affair for entertainment.
Sadly, 9-11 was the reason I got out of it. Midway through college, and I couldn’t stomach the reactions from the future filmmakers that surrounded me. Now I regret giving up.
Especially today.
RIP, Michael Crichton, and thank you for your work.
Markon 05 Nov 2008 at 1:57 pm 17While his books had fallen a lot in recent years, I still looked forward to anything he did. I’m very saddened and my prayers go out to his family for this tremendous loss.
Campaspeon 05 Nov 2008 at 2:08 pm 18I agree DH, The Great Train Robbery is an enormously enjoyable heist film that has always ranked among my favorites. And I was a huge fan of ER for years. I am very sad to hear that he has died so young.
pandaxon 05 Nov 2008 at 2:42 pm 19I didn’t read to many of his books. Timeline and State of Fear. I liked both. A shame the movie was not anything near the book. State of Fear though was great. It ranks high on my list of books that should be made into movies but never will along with the actual version of Starship Troopers.
Rogue Maleon 05 Nov 2008 at 2:52 pm 20It’s been a lousy day all around, with the new Prez, the death of Michael Crichton, and the Small Wars Journal noting the recent death (announced Monday http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/obituaries/bal-md.ob.ripley03nov03,0,1985920.story) of Colonel John W. Ripley, USMC http://www.liminalgroup.com/rpdmes/speakers_panelist.htm, of Bridge at Dong Ha fame.
“Ripley at the Bridge” would be a hell of a movie, if Hollyweird deigned to make a film about a Marine as hero rather than as psycho.
USS Benon 05 Nov 2008 at 3:04 pm 21I love his books, his movies and his outstanding speeches.
What a great mind Mr. Crichton had. It wasn’t common knwledge, but Crichton was also a doctor.
Yet, he could explain the most complicated things in terms the average guy like me could understand.
He will be missed for several reasons, for his movies, books, and fascinating speeches (with sources).
Mr. Crichton was only interested in the truth.
Unfortunately, many of his coleagues ostricized him because he had the audacity and courage to speak the truth about global warming and copyright laws, among other things.
Theyshould be ashamed for the way they treated this great man.
RIP sir, and God bless your family.
Thank you for challenging my thinking, and expanding my mind, wrapped in entertainment.
You were a doctor but you spoke our language.
PerfectTommyon 05 Nov 2008 at 3:16 pm 22Yul Brenner as the gunslinger in”Westworld” was a brilliant stroke of casting. Of course designers of an amusement park would want guest to be able to test their skills against Chris of “The Magnificant Seven”. Plus you get to see Bab’s hubby get shot.
I haven’t seen “Looker” or “Runaway” for a long time and so I’ll have to take care of that. And I’ve never seen “Coma”, so I’ll have to do that as well.
And if you have never read “The Andromeda Strain”, then you take care of that ASAP.
Emilyon 05 Nov 2008 at 3:20 pm 23My brother and I are taking this hard. I’m insanely in love with Michael Crichton. It’s gonna be hard knowing that I don’t have another book of his to look forward to.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Jimboon 05 Nov 2008 at 3:21 pm 24My favorite author. A truely brilliant talent. The world of literary is a lesser place without the great Michael Crichton
ONeilon 05 Nov 2008 at 3:25 pm 25At last! Someone else who liked The 13th Warrior!
If any movie needs to be revived with an elaborate DVD edition– this is it.
JohnLockeon 05 Nov 2008 at 4:07 pm 26Wow, this is awful news. I absolutely love Jurassic Park and still hope to see a more faithful adaptation someday (although I’m a fan of Spielberg’s take). Reading State of Fear is on my to-do list, and because of this, I’ll definitely have to move it up. He was one of the few authors that I actually looked forward to writing a new book. Now that I know that it will never happen (save for one that was put in limbo due to his illness), I’m deeply crushed.
What a week.
Jack Marinoon 05 Nov 2008 at 6:03 pm 27Michael was a great warrior against ALgore and his religion of global warming. Why do we lose the fighters of truth and the idiots live on and on spewing their lies.
Joe Weldonon 05 Nov 2008 at 6:06 pm 28Yes, Harry, this is a loss for all of us.
Westworld, The Andromeda Strain, Looker, The Great Train Robbery, and The 13th Warrior.
What a resume.
R.I.P. Mr. Crichton.
Jonnyon 05 Nov 2008 at 6:12 pm 29I don’t Jack, but for some reason it reminds me of this quote:
“a coward dies a thousand deaths, a hero only one.”
Sharon Fergusonon 05 Nov 2008 at 6:36 pm 30LOOOOOVED Thirteenth Warrior - am forever a fan of Vladimir Kulich now.
Rest in peace, Michael. Darn it you had some good books!!!
PerfectTommyon 05 Nov 2008 at 7:34 pm 31What are the chances anyone will make a faithful adaptation of “State of Fear”?
Jake Was Hereon 05 Nov 2008 at 8:42 pm 32Michael Crichton is right up there with John D. MacDonald as one of my favorite American writers of all time. I read THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, SPHERE and TERMINAL MAN back in high school, and I’ve reread them several times since.
NeoConJedion 05 Nov 2008 at 8:48 pm 33State of Fear was awesome.
My friend, a Marine, loves 13th Warrior. He made me watch it, and now I find myself going back to it once in a while.
I put a huge story of Crichton’s passing in my paper tonight — with emphasis on his global warming skepticism.
Morganon 05 Nov 2008 at 9:42 pm 34Yes, it is a horrible shock; the kind you just you never see coming. Rest in peace, Michael Crichton.
PerfectTommy, thanks for mentioning both Westworld and Runaway. In Westworld (a.k.a. pre-1993 Jurassic Park), Yul Brynner had one of the best sinister faces I ever saw after he shot James Brolin and then said to Richard Benjamin, “Draw.”
Runaway was one of those films starring Tom Selleck when he was at the height of his Magnum fame. Unfortunately, the film wasn’t a hit at the box office. Pity, because in addition to Selleck there was also Gene Simmons showing his versatility as a performer by giving a good performance as the villain in the film.
soulpileon 05 Nov 2008 at 10:18 pm 35I will miss Crichton horribly. He’s one of my top three favorite authors. Especially because he never treated his readers as if they couldn’t understand his subjects.
Morganon 05 Nov 2008 at 11:12 pm 36“What are the chances anyone will make a faithful adaptation of ‘State of Fear’?”
PerfectTommy, I think there’s a better chance of a faithful remake of The Birds than there is of a faithful adaptation of State Of Fear.
Kiton 06 Nov 2008 at 6:09 am 37“You were a doctor but you spoke our language.”
Very true.
“Why do we lose the fighters of truth and the idiots live on and on spewing their lies.”
Jack, its like Ted Danson said on BECKER referring to his patients, “Why do the good ones die and the bad ones linger on?”
Bennett Marcoon 06 Nov 2008 at 6:21 am 38I’ve never been a big of sci-fi or fantasy, but I am a big fan of good writing and good story telling. Crichton was a good writer, and I enjoyed his work immensely.
Oh, and “The 13th Warrior” was nothing less than a SAGA — just like the ones my ancestors (on my mother’s side) used to tell down at the mead hall!
Kiton 06 Nov 2008 at 5:10 pm 39http://www.michaelcrichton.net/speech-environmentalismaseligion.html#
Brilliant article on both environmentalism and religion.
Also has a few good jabs at academics and atheistic “brights.”
Jonathanon 07 Nov 2008 at 8:14 am 40Everyone should read “Eaters of the Dead,” which is one of Chrichton’s earlier works. It is totally absorbing piece of first-person historical fiction. I liked it better than The 13th Warrior, the movie Hollywood made out of it.
Jaredon 09 Nov 2008 at 12:21 am 41RIP Michael, you truly were a visionary.
NickMon 09 Nov 2008 at 6:52 pm 42Guys: Speaking of Crichton’s stand on Global Warming, I was perusing another site (It was RE: Dinosaurs & other such whatnots) & a thread existed there mourning the passing of Mr. Critchton because of his ‘effect’ his Jurassic Park books had on the Paleontology field…however SEVERAL of the posters were openly hostile to Crichton & decried his “anti-science stance” when he dissed the global warming hysteria—ONE of them even questioned if the cancer he died of was a brain tumor, which would explain Critchton’s ‘heresy’; This malarky from people who, I might add, were NOT climatologists….
Sylviaon 10 Nov 2008 at 5:29 am 43Well you yankies will believe anything in makeup, yes a great storyteller, inspired, i think he may have been taken away from us too soon by a new power. The EGONOME!