There is a special thrill in exploring the intersection of literature and film, especially when it concerns a story as intriguing as ‘The Food of the Gods.’
An iconic piece of science fiction penned by H.G. Wells, this novel has been a topic of interest for generations of readers.
Its adaptation into a 1976 movie by Bert I. Gordon, while not exactly faithful to the original, has its own charm and appeal.
The novel, first published in 1904, presents a tale of scientists who create a substance that causes living beings to grow to enormous sizes.
The movie, released in 1976, follows a similar narrative but with the addition of horror elements.
This article aims to provide an in-depth book summary and a comparative analysis of the original story and its film adaptation. Prepare to dive deep into the world of H.G. Wells’ ‘The Food of the Gods.’
H.G. Wells: A brief bio and his works
H.G. Wells, born Herbert George Wells, was an English author known for his work in the science fiction genre.
His works, starting from ‘The Time Machine,’ have greatly influenced the evolution of science fiction. Wells was not just a writer, but also a historian and a sociologist. His works often reflected his thoughts on society and the future of humanity.
‘The Food of the Gods,’ also known as ‘The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth,’ is one of his less known but equally fascinating works.
It presents a story that is both a critique of society and a prophecy about the future.
This novel, along with other works by Wells, such as ‘The War of the Worlds’ and ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau,’ have cemented his place in the annals of science fiction literature.
Book summary: ‘The Food of the Gods’
At its core, ‘The Food of the Gods’ is a tale of two scientists, Mr. Bensington and Professor Redwood, who develop a substance they call ‘Herakleophorbia IV.’
This substance, when consumed, causes living beings to grow to enormous sizes. They test this substance on a variety of animals, resulting in giant chickens, rats, and wasps, among others.
However, things take a turn when some children consume the substance and grow into giants, leading to a societal divide between the ‘normal’ sized humans and these ‘Children of the Food.’
The novel explores themes of societal divide, the ethics of scientific experimentation, and the potential consequences of meddling with nature.
It leaves readers with a sense of unease, as they contemplate the implications of such unchecked scientific progress.
Comparative analysis: From novel to 1976 movie adaptation
Bert I. Gordon’s 1976 film adaptation of ‘The Food of the Gods’ takes significant liberties with the source material.
While the basic premise of a substance causing creatures to grow remains, the movie introduces horror elements and focuses on a group of people trapped on an island overrun by giant rats.
The movie, while not as thought-provoking or deep as the novel, provides its own form of entertainment.
Its B-movie charm, combined with some genuinely thrilling scenes, makes it a memorable watch.
However, for fans of Wells’ original story, the movie might come across as a bit of a disappointment due to its departure from the novel’s themes and narrative.
Parent guide to ‘The Food of the Gods’
As a parent, it’s essential to know what your children are reading or watching. ‘The Food of the Gods,’ both the book and the movie, contain some elements that might be disturbing for younger audiences.
The novel explores complex themes like societal dynamics, scientific ethics, and the consequences of unchecked progress, which might be intense for younger readers.
The movie, on the other hand, is a creature feature with horror elements. There are scenes of giant rats attacking people, which could be quite graphic and scary for children.
As such, parents should use their discretion when deciding whether ‘The Food of the Gods’ is suitable for their children.
When and where ‘The Food of the Gods’ takes place
In H.G. Wells’ novel, the story is set in the early 20th century England, with the countryside being the primary setting.
This rural backdrop serves as a stark contrast to the scientific experimentations that lead to the creation of giant creatures and humans.
In Bert I. Gordon’s movie adaptation, however, the setting is shifted to a modern-day (for the 1970s) remote island in North America.
This change in setting adds a sense of isolation and helplessness that enhances the horror elements of the film.
Exploring the film locations of ‘The Food of the Gods’
The film adaptation of ‘The Food of the Gods’ was primarily shot in Canada, specifically in British Columbia.
The dense forests and isolated landscapes of this region served as the perfect backdrop for the movie’s horror theme. Many scenes were shot on Bowen Island, which added to the sense of isolation and danger that the characters faced.
The beauty of these locations, combined with the film’s atmospheric cinematography, creates a visually striking contrast to the terror unfolding on-screen.
This use of real-world locations adds a layer of authenticity to the film, making the threat of giant rats feel all the more real and terrifying.
Who’s who in ‘The Food of the Gods’
In both the novel and the movie, there are several key characters that drive the narrative.
In the novel, the primary characters are the two scientists, Mr. Bensington and Professor Redwood, who create the ‘Herakleophorbia IV.’
There’s also Cossar, the practical man who helps manage the ‘Children of the Food,’ and several of the children themselves, notably Albert and his siblings, who grow into giants.
In the movie, the characters are quite different. The main character is Morgan, portrayed by Marjoe Gortner, who stumbles upon the island and the horror that it holds.
Other key characters include Lorna, played by Pamela Franklin, and Jack Bensington, a different take on the novel’s Bensington, played by Ralph Meeker.
Memorable quotes from ‘The Food of the Gods’
H.G. Wells’ writing is known for its thoughtful and often profound quotes, and ‘The Food of the Gods’ is no exception.
Some memorable quotes from the book include:
- “We are eating the food of the Gods, we are still children, our little lives are but a span in the life that is our destiny.”
- “The Food of the Gods I call it, this substance that Mr. Bensington and Professor Redwood made between them.”
- “It is not in the nature of things for any one man to make a sudden, violent discovery of science, or indeed of any other revolutionary innovation.”
In the movie, the quotes are less philosophical and more focused on the immediate danger.
A notable quote from the movie is: “There’s something in the food they eat that makes them grow. And if it gets into the wrong hands…”
The soundtrack by Elliot Kaplan: A review
The soundtrack of ‘The Food of the Gods’ movie, composed by Elliot Kaplan, is a fitting accompaniment to the film’s horror theme.
The music is atmospheric and suspenseful, enhancing the tension and fear that permeate the movie.
Kaplan’s score effectively underscores the film’s B-movie charm and horror elements, making it an integral part of the viewing experience.
Curiosities and fun facts about ‘The Food of the Gods’
While ‘The Food of the Gods’ is a thought-provoking novel and an entertaining movie, there are also some interesting tidbits related to both.
For instance, did you know that the novel was part of Wells’ middle-period works, which focused more on societal commentary than science fiction?
The movie, on the other hand, is notorious for its use of ‘magnified’ real rats to portray the giant rats.
This technique, combined with the over-the-top acting and special effects, has given the film a cult following among B-movie enthusiasts.
Tips for cosplaying ‘The Food of the Gods’ characters
For fans of ‘The Food of the Gods’ who wish to cosplay as characters from the book or the movie, there are several options.
For the novel, one can dress up as one of the scientists, complete with a lab coat and vintage spectacles, or as one of the ‘Children of the Food,’ with exaggerated sizes being the key aspect of the cosplay.
For the movie, fans can opt to dress up as Morgan, with his rugged attire, or as Lorna, with her 70s style clothing.
Alternatively, for a more horror-themed cosplay, one can dress up as one of the giant rats, complete with oversized rat costumes and terrifying makeup.
Dress like characters from ‘The Food of the Gods’
If you want to dress like characters from ‘The Food of the Gods,’ it’s all about capturing the essence of the early 20th century for the novel, and the 70s for the movie.
For the novel, men’s attire would typically include suits, hats and perhaps a lab coat for the scientist characters. Women’s attire would include long dresses, hats and gloves.
For the movie, the 70s style is key. Men can opt for rugged clothing like jeans, leather jackets, and boots, while women can go for high-waisted pants, blouses, and platform shoes.
And of course, for those daring enough, there’s always the option to dress up as a giant rat!
The ending of ‘The Food of the Gods’ explained
The ending of ‘The Food of the Gods,’ both the book and the movie, leaves a lasting impression.
In the novel, the ‘Children of the Food’ have grown into giants and are starting to assert their dominance over the ‘normal’ sized humans, leading to an uneasy coexistence.
The book ends on an unsettling note, leaving readers to ponder the future of this divided society.
The movie, on the other hand, ends with a more definitive conclusion.
After a long and brutal battle with the giant rats, Morgan and Lorna manage to escape the island, leaving it to be bombed and the threat neutralized.
However, the final scene hints at the possibility of more ‘Food of the Gods,’ setting up a potential sequel.
The potential of a remake, sequel or spin-off
Given the enduring popularity of H.G. Wells’ works and the cult status of the movie, there is certainly potential for a remake, sequel, or spin-off of ‘The Food of the Gods.’
A remake could offer a more faithful adaptation of the novel, exploring its themes of societal divide and scientific ethics in more depth.
A sequel or spin-off could expand on the world established by the novel or the movie, introducing new characters and scenarios affected by the ‘Food of the Gods.’
With modern special effects and storytelling techniques, these potential projects could offer a fresh and exciting take on this classic story.
Other media by Bert I. Gordon
Bert I. Gordon is known for his work in the B-movie genre, with a focus on science fiction and horror.
Besides ‘The Food of the Gods,’ he has directed several other films, including ‘The Amazing Colossal Man,’ ‘Earth vs. the Spider,’ and ‘Village of the Giants.’
These films, like ‘The Food of the Gods,’ are known for their larger-than-life plots and low-budget charm.
Similar media to ‘The Food of the Gods’
If you enjoyed ‘The Food of the Gods,’ there are several other books and movies you might like.
Books such as ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ by H.G. Wells, ‘The Andromeda Strain’ by Michael Crichton, and ‘The Day of the Triffids’ by John Wyndham explore similar themes of science gone awry.
On the movie front, films like ‘Them!,’ ‘Tarantula,’ and ‘The Deadly Mantis’ offer similar creature-feature thrills.
And of course, there’s the sequel to ‘The Food of the Gods’ movie, aptly titled ‘Food of the Gods II,’ which continues the tale of giant creatures.
Other notable works by H. G. Wells
Besides ‘The Food of the Gods,’ H.G. Wells has written several other notable works.
These include ‘The War of the Worlds,’ ‘The Time Machine,’ ‘The Invisible Man,’ and ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau.’
Each of these stories offers a unique blend of science fiction and societal commentary, making them enduring classics of the genre.
More media similar to ‘The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth’
If you’re looking for more media similar to ‘The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth,’ there are plenty of options.
Novels like ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley, ‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley, and ‘1984’ by George Orwell explore similar themes of unchecked scientific progress and societal divide.
For films, options include ‘The Fly,’ ‘Re-Animator,’ and ‘Splice,’ each offering a unique take on the theme of science gone wrong.
And for a slightly different medium, there’s the TV show ‘Black Mirror,’ which offers episodic explorations of future technology and its potential consequences.
Thought-provoking book club questions for ‘The Food of the Gods’
Discussing ‘The Food of the Gods’ can lead to some insightful and thought-provoking conversations.
Here are some book club questions to ponder:
- What are the ethical implications of the scientists’ actions in creating and testing the ‘Herakleophorbia IV’?
- How does Wells portray the societal divide between the ‘normal’ humans and the ‘Children of the Food’?
- What is the significance of the setting in the novel, and how does it contrast with the scientific themes?
- How do the characters react to the emergence of the ‘Children of the Food,’ and what does this say about their attitudes towards change and progress?
Video games inspired by ‘The Food of the Gods’
While there might not be any video games directly inspired by ‘The Food of the Gods,’ there are certainly games that share similar themes.
Games like ‘Bioshock,’ ‘Deus Ex,’ and ‘Fallout’ explore the consequences of unchecked scientific progress and the societal divide it can create.
These games, with their immersive worlds and thought-provoking narratives, offer a gaming experience that fans of ‘The Food of the Gods’ might appreciate.
Travel guide to visit the locations of ‘The Food of the Gods’
For fans who wish to visit the locations of ‘The Food of the Gods’ movie, a trip to British Columbia, Canada, is in order.
Specifically, Bowen Island, where much of the movie was filmed, is a must-visit. This quaint island offers beautiful landscapes and a sense of isolation that mirrors the movie’s setting.
While there, fans can explore the island’s trails, enjoy its natural beauty, and perhaps imagine what it would be like to encounter giant rats!
Just remember, it’s all in good fun, and no giant rats are actually waiting to pounce.
Conclusion
‘The Food of the Gods’ is a fascinating story, both in its original form as H.G. Wells’ novel and as Bert I. Gordon’s movie adaptation.
Whether you’re a fan of thought-provoking science fiction or B-movie creature features, there’s something to enjoy in this tale of giant creatures and societal divide.
So why not delve into this classic story and explore the intriguing world of ‘The Food of the Gods’ for yourself?
