The book was published in 1973 and became a best seller.[1]
The Chicago Tribune thought Maclean was writing "as a parody of himself".[2]
Plot introduction
The protagonist, Johnny Harlow, a world champion Formula 1 racing driver, was in a devastating accident during the French Grand Prix, which caused the death of his best friend, a Californian driver and Isaac Jethou, along with maiming his girlfriend. It is only one of a series of crashes which have dogged the Grand Prix circuit in the past season, one of which led to the death of Harlow’s younger brother.
The crash appears to have completely destroyed Harlow’s nerve, and the boss of the Coronado team, MacAlpine, for which he drives, is torn between wanting to keep his star driver, and concerns that Harlow has turned into an alcoholic.
However, Harlow is playing a role, as he suspects that there is more behind these "accidents" than “acts of God”, and soon finds out that a few people will do anything to prevent him from discovering the truth.
Proposed film adaptation
The story was originally written as a screenplay. It was meant to star Maclean's friend Jackie Stewart and be produced by MacLean's second wife.[3][4]
In August 1972 Scott Finch said he was going to work on the script to what was then called The Way to Dusty Death.[5] At one stage J. Lee Thompson, who had directed Guns of Navarone, was attached to direct.[6]
The novel came out in September 1973 the New York Times declaring "MacLean does not miss one cliche."[7] The book became a best seller.[8]
In October 1973 it was reported that filming of the movie version was postponed "indefinitely."[9]
In 1976 Maclean's second wife Mary formed a company with producer Peter Snell, Aleelle Productions, who aimed to make movies based on MacLean novels including Golden Gate, Bear Island, The Way to Dusty Death and Captain Cook.[10]
In 1976 Don Sharp was working on the film, with John Gay to write the script, for producer John Gay but they were unable to raise money.[11]
Film rights were taken away from MacLean's wife following their divorce in 1977. In 1979 Peter Snell, who produced the film adaptation of Maclean's Bear Island, said he wanted to film The Way of Dusty Death next.[12] However the film did not eventuate for over a decade, when it emerged as a TV movie.
Peter Snell managed to get the film financed as a TV movie. It was made by Delux Productions, a company set up by CLT, owner of the Luxembourg- based TV network RTL. The show was made to be sold in the United States and across Europe.[13]
References
^PAPERBACKS
By Joseph McLellan. The Washington Post and Times-Herald 7 October 1973: BW13.
^MacLean on the Grand Prix: A long way from Java Head: The Way to Dusty Death
Cromie, Alice. Chicago Tribune 9 September 1973: f8.
^War Is Hell, but It Pays Off for MacLean: War Pays Off for MacLean War Pays Off for MacLean War is Hell, but It Pays Off for Alistair
Johnstone, Jain. Los Angeles Times 17 December 1972: p1.
^Webster, Jack (1991). Alistair MacLean: A Life. Chapmans. pp. 179–180.
^Trail blazer
Linscott, Gillian. The Guardian 8 August 1972: 13.
^Webster, Jack (1991). Alistair MacLean: A Life. Chapmans. p. 110.
^Criminals At Large
By NEWGATE CALLENDAR. New York Times 9 September 1973: 426.
^Coming of age on a high-school paper
Petersen, Clarence. Chicago Tribune 8 September 1974: f8.
^Formula won
Dymock, Eric. The Guardian 15 October 1973: 17.
^Dempster, Nigel (19 January 1977). "Why my husband and I have parted—by Mrs Alistair MacLean". p. 13.
^Sharp, Don (2 November 1993). "Don Sharp Side 6" (Interview). Interviewed by Teddy Darvas and Alan Lawson. London: History Project. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
^BEAR ISLAND': THE FILM THAT STAYED OUT IN THE COLD ADILMAN, SID. Los Angeles Times 11 March 1979: m6.
^ abFilmmaker Tax Breaks Are a Hit in Luxembourg: [2 Edition] Buerkle, Tom. International Herald Tribune 8 February 1995: 5.
