Tale of Sand: The Illustrated Screenplay

Between 1967 and 1974, Jim Henson and his longtime writing partner Jerry Juhl developed three drafts of a screenplay for a feature-length film called Tale of Sand. It is the only feature-length screenplay written by Jim Henson that he was never able to produce in his lifetime. In 2012, Archaia published a graphic novel adaptation as realized by illustrator Ramón K Pérez which went on to win three Eisner Awards and two Harvey Awards. The Illustrated Screenplay features the complete and final 1974 draft of the project with Jim and Jerry’s handwritten edits as well as layouts and inked pages from the adaptation in gorgeous black-and-white, and never-before-seen sequences that were cut during the production of the graphic novel, newly illustrated by Ramón K. Pérez.

After just having the great opportunity to read The Musical Monsters of Turkey Hollow, being able to have a shot at another lost Henson treasure was so exciting.  As soon as I started in on the foreword, I knew that I was in for something quite different from this one.  I never actually read the full graphic novel that came out some time ago, so I dove right into The Illustrated Screenplay of Tale of Sand with anticipation.  Boy, was I completely unprepared for what was before me.

To say this is one of the most unusual stories I’ve read in some time would be an understatement.  But, I mean that in the best, most complimentary way possible.  Honestly, it’s hard for me describe exactly what this lost screenplay is about.  Like Ramon says in the foreword, everyone will see it how they want to see it.  It is a bizarre, fantastical, emotional journey of a man in a desert unlike anything you’ve ever read before and has to be experienced in your own way.

Although this version is primarily just the screenplay, we do get to see some of the artwork used in the full graphic novel.  For me, never having seen it gave me a nice glimpse of what I missed (and provided all the reason to grab it).  Just that small amount shows the fantastic job that Ramon did and even those who read the novel get a whole new bunch of unseen originals from the creative process.

Regardless of what you personally take out of this story, it is a treat to see this atypical piece of Henson creativity.  If you’ve already read the original novel, this is still worth picking up to see the final draft of the screenplay itself and the behind the scenes art.  If you haven’t, I can confidently say this is a great way to introduce you to this crazy adventure before you grab the graphic novel.

For more on Tale of Sand: The Illustrated Screenplay or other Archaia titles, check out Archaia.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.