“Harlan doesn’t have an off switch; he doesn’t have a censor button. He is simply incapable of sugar coating it for you.” – Josh Olson.



Harlan Ellison is certainly a character. This is a fascinating insight into the weird and colourful (in terms of his language, mainly blue) life of possibly the angriest writer in the world. He is a highly revered and award winning novelist and screenwriter whose work includes the famous ‘Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman and Spider Kiss. He’s responsible for the amazingly-titled City on the Edge of Forever – acclaimed as the greatest Star Trek episode of all time – as well as numerous episodes of The Outer Limits, The Twilight Zone and Babylon 5, amongst others.

This film is a journey back through Ellison’s early life and the development of his career – and it’s not been easy streets for Ellison. With the premature and sudden death of his father, his difficulties at school and his brief career at university before starting out as a writer, Ellison suffered an arduous time but just got on with it – perhaps explaining his robust and rather abrasive character today. He ploughed through life by relying on his quick wit, sharp tongue and extraordinary imagination. He became actively involved in political causes of the time, many of these influenced his prolific writing, and led to him becoming an extremely successful and well-respected writer. You can’t help but like Ellison; behind his temper and his grumpy attitude is a man who is fragile, extremely talented and hugely intelligent. His rants – and there are many – are often justified at their core, and delivered with highly amusing wit.

Robin Williams introduces this exploration of Ellison’s eccentric, quirky and strangely endearing life experiences. Featuring comment from noted sci-fi writers and childhood friends, this touching story is as colourful and agile as the author’s work.