John Carter of Mars alternate title and poster
Princess of Mars (alternatively titled John Carter of Mars) is a 2009 Science Fiction film produced by Asylum based on Eager Rice Burroughs 1917 novel 'A Princess of Mars' that envisions John Carter as a United States Army Sniper in Afganistan whose transported to an alien world called Barsoom (depicted as outside our solar system in this iteration).
Plot[]
John Carter is a modern-day (2009 at the time of the film's release) U.S. Army sniper serving in Afghanistan, wounded in the line of duty and used in a teleportation experiment wherein he is transferred to Barsoom, here depicted outside our solar system. On this world, Carter exhibits the ability to leap amazing distances. Initially enslaved by the Tharks, he earns a rank among them and later saves a rival group's princess, the human-looking Dejah Thoris, from death.
The group of Tharks, led by Tars Tarkas, takes Carter to their leader Tal Hajus, guarded by Tars Tarkas' daughter Sola. Learning that Tarkas gave Carter a military rank only Hajus can give, Tarkas and Carter are forced to duel. Upon winning, Carter faces Sarka, an Afghan mercenary who had betrayed him. When Sarka escapes, Carter helps Tarkas kill Hajus and become the new leader of the Tharks.
Captain Carter then learns that Dejah Thoris has fled to the planetary air-cleaning station that keeps Barsoom habitable, which Sarka damages, causing the atmosphere to deteriorate. John Carter and Sarka face each other in a duel, but Sarka is killed by an insect during the fight. After Carter and Dejah Thoris reactivate the station, Carter is returned to Earth, where he declines to tell his superiors about his adventures for fear they will colonize Barsoom, and returns to military duties while hoping one day to return to the planet.
Production[]
The film was originally to be a modern day retelling of Eager Rice Burroughs novel, much like 1996's Romeo and Juliet did with Shakespeare but in trying to find a place where John Cater's Civil War experience could hold up the project derailed. Deciding on the War in Afghanistan (2001 - 2014) rather then a modern day American Civil War the writer came up with a new story inspired by elements of Eager Rice Burroughs novel. The choice to have Barsoom a far off planet rather then Mars (despite the title of the film) came from how much data was gathered on Mars by 2009 making, in the minds of those involved, suspension of disbelief difficult for viewers should the original setting be utilized.
Cast[]
- Antonio Sabato Jr. as John Carter
- Traci Lords as Dejah Thoris
- Matt Lasky as Tars Tarkas
- Chacko Vadaketh as Sarka / Sab Than
- Mitchell Gordon as Tal Hajus
- Noelle Perris as Sola
Crew[]
- Director/Writer - Mark Atkins
Reception[]
Failing to advertise it's self as 'based on' or 'inspired by', rather opting to declare it's self to be the classic Edgar Rice Burroughs story, the film was snagged by some backlash. It didn't even feature the modern elements in the trailer further distancing it's self from fans of the 1917 novel looking for a film adaptation. It was to them taken as rather dishonest on Asylum's part. Further dishonesty was exhibited in the title 'of Mars' as the film doesn't in fact take place on Mars. The film presently has no score on Rotten Tomatoes and (as of December 27, 2017) only 8% of people to view the film on Rotten Tomatoes liked the film with an average audience rating of 2/5 stars. However in regards to films directed by Mark Atkins it tends to rank close to 6th from 'best (1)' to worst on the website Ranker putting it close to Battle of Los Angles.