"Filmmakers have always understood the possibilities a good science-fiction story brings to the screen. In fact, since the cinema's earliest days, directors knew that science fiction provided on ideal showcase for the astonishing variety of visual effects that motion pictures could produce. The sixteen stories selected for [this anthology] range from science fiction's earliest days to the blockbusters of the 1990s, and every one of these stories became a great science fiction film. But it is the stories themselves that make Reel Future such a remarkable book. Every story provides challenging, thought-provoking entertainment. Here you will find H.P. Lovecraft's story of resurrection, the classic 'Herbert West--re-animator,' which was made into the successful Re-animator. 'Farewell to the Master' is Harry Bates' searching story about our darker instincts and was turned into the famous The Day the Earth Stood Still. The great master of science fiction, Ray Bradbury, contributes here 'The Illustrated Man,' the story that inspired the film and provided Rod Steiger with one of his greatest roles. One of the most famous science fiction films of all time, the monumental 2001--a Space Odyssey, was based on a then little-known story ['The sentinel'] by Arthur C. Clarke. The success of the movie catapulted Clarke To international fame. Two movies, both called The Fly, were based on George Langelaan's story included here. While several stories by Philip K. Dick have been made into films, one of the most successful was 'We can remember it for you wholesale.' which was brought to the screen with Arnold Schwarzenegger under the title Total Recall. How real are the worlds described in these stories? Real enough to send us a message. Or a warning. Real enough to capture the imaginations of some of the world's greatest filmmakers. And if some of the films seem more 'reel' than real, the story at the heart of every one of them is genuine."--Dust jacket.