For me part of that difference is the thrill of wondering what the mindset was when the book was released, especially seeing the differences between what was known/assumed about the planets in our solar system back then vs. what we know now. Knowledge is wonderful and exciting but so is that innocent sense of wonder derived from a time when one could still hope that we would find life on our nearest neighbors.

I have huge doubts that the film will capture the sense of wonder of the books. I believe a film like that *could* be made but I am not certain this is it and sadly if it flops we’ll probably never get another shot at it. It is a series that makes me wish someone with the passion that say Peter Jackson had for making LOTR or King Kong would take it on and do it justice. I do hope the movie is fun, but I don’t expect it to be the same kind of fun.

You’re incorrect.

The French had the idea, I think in the 1700s, that a blended human race would eliminate racism. Tarzan seems to be a copy of Voltaire’s story Ingenious and I believe Burroughs was influenced by French ideas.

Anyway, Mars is supposed to have Black, White, and Yellow (literally) races that are all ancient. The White race is the worst of them all. The Red race is supposed to be a blend of all of the others best adapted for survival in the harsh place. It’s suggested that the Green Martians might be a genetic experiment.

John Carter doesn’t care what people look like, only what they act like, and doesn’t care if his kids are blended. Also, he attributes his positive qualities to Earth culture, not his race, etc.

Thus, the story is about life on Earth and how religions (fake elitist politics) manipulate people to kill each other and waste life on fantasy. It’s about how no matter what people look like, ugly or beautiful, they’re only as good as their noble actions.

That message is extremely timely in light of current events.

Burroughs Mars stories are a page out of atheism written in a precommunist environment and keeps with that message. An international religion exploits and murders people at will and is entirely driven by people, not gods. That’s the overall plot.

Also, both Carter and Tarzan have the initials “JC” which could mean they’re types of “Jesus Christ” in that both characters are motivated by wanting peace,ethics, etc. There’s more going on in the stories than monsters and sword fights.

Thanks for the link.

Yes, I do know that. As did countless of teenage boys who cut their sf teeth on this book.

I read the books years ago but I’ve been brushing up on my ERB for the movie by listening to The Fantastic Worlds of Edgar Rice Burroughs (http://www.marsbooks.libsyn.com/). Actor David Stifel “That Burroughs Guy” is reading through all the Mars books and is up to book 5, The Chessmen of Mars, now. His voice is deep and resonant and some how old-fashioned which fits the story perfectly. He clearly loves what he’s doing and his enthusiasm is infectious. Highly recommended!