Kiwi Books to Films: Under the Mountain
Maurice Gee is one of New Zealand's most acclaimed writers. He has received numerous awards for his adult fiction and also for his young adult and children’s books.
Many of his books have been adapted for the screen, creating the classic 1980s sci-fi series Under the Mountain (which was remade into a feature film in 2009) and the award-winning movie In My Father's Den.
Maurice Gee's Under the Mountain, the classic novel about aliens running amok under Auckland, has rarely gone out of print since its debut in 1979. First adapted as a memorable 80s TV series, this 2009 movie remake sees teenage twins Theo and Rachel stumbling across shape-shifting creatures that are hiding beneath Auckland's extinct volcanoes. American showbiz magazine Variety praised director Jonathan King's "solid helming", and the excellent acting of Sam Neill as the mysterious Mr Jones. Oliver Driver plays lead villain Mr Wilberforce, a role which required four hours of make-up.
Find out more at NZonSCreen.com
