The Grasshopper Lies Heavy

The Grasshopper Lies Heavy is a controversial underground film produced in the early 1960s depicting an alternate historical outcome of World War II where the Allied Powers emerge victorious. The film gained notoriety for its circulation within the American Reich and Pacific States, where its possession and viewing were considered acts of sedition. Created by Hawthorne Abendsen, the film presents a stark contrast to the officially sanctioned historical narrative maintained by the victorious Axis powers.

A clandestine screening of The Grasshopper Lies Heavy in a San Francisco basement, circa 1962

Production and Content

The film was secretly produced in Canon City, Colorado, one of the few nominally neutral zones in North America following the Axis victory in 1947. Using a combination of authentic wartime footage, staged reenactments, and innovative special effects for its era, Abendsen created a compelling vision of an alternative post-war world. The film's narrative begins with Operation Overlord succeeding in 1944, leading to a swift Allied advance through Western Europe, while the Soviet Union pushes westward through Eastern Europe.

The title "The Grasshopper Lies Heavy" is derived from the Book of Ecclesiastes, specifically referencing Chapter 12, Verse 5: "And the grasshopper shall be a burden." This biblical allusion serves as a metaphor for the weight of historical truth and its ability to burden those who become aware of alternative possibilities.

Historical Divergence

The film's depiction of historical events diverges from the officially recognized timeline at several crucial junctures. In Abendsen's narrative, President Franklin D. Roosevelt survives the alleged 1944 assassination attempt in Miami, continuing to lead the United States through the end of the war. The film portrays the successful development of the Manhattan Project, culminating in the deployment of atomic weapons against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, forcing Japan's surrender in 1945.

Themes and Symbolism

The film employs sophisticated visual metaphors to convey its message about the nature of historical truth and reality. Recurring motifs include mirrors, shifting shadows, and the image of a grasshopper, which appears at pivotal moments throughout the narrative. The American Eagle, shown repeatedly breaking free from chains, serves as a powerful symbol of resistance against totalitarian rule.

A restored frame from the film showing the iconic grasshopper motif superimposed over a map of occupied America

Underground Distribution

Distribution of The Grasshopper Lies Heavy occurred through an elaborate network of resistance cells operating throughout the occupied territories. The film was typically shown in fragments, with different reels circulated separately to minimize the risk of complete confiscation. The Pacific States Underground developed a sophisticated system of film clubs that served as fronts for screening sessions, often disguising them as approved cultural appreciation societies.

Impact and Legacy

The film's influence extended far beyond its immediate audience, inspiring numerous resistance movements throughout the occupied territories. The Reich Security Office considered it one of the most dangerous pieces of subversive media ever produced, dedicating substantial resources to suppressing its distribution. Several prominent Reich cultural officials who viewed confiscated copies reportedly experienced severe psychological distress, leading to a phenomenon known as "Reality Dissolution Syndrome."

Technical Aspects

The Grasshopper Lies Heavy was shot on rare Kodak Safety Stock film, which made it particularly difficult for authorities to trace its origin. The film's distinctive visual style, characterized by high-contrast black and white photography and unconventional editing techniques, influenced a generation of underground filmmakers in both the American Reich and Pacific States.

A modified projector commonly used for clandestine screenings of the film, featuring a specially designed noise suppression system

Artistic Analysis

Film scholars who have studied surviving fragments note the sophisticated use of parallel editing to contrast the film's alternative timeline with subtle references to the viewer's reality. The technique, known as "temporal mirroring," created a disorienting effect that forced viewers to question their understanding of historical events.

Critical Reception

Despite its illegal status, several prominent underground critics managed to publish reviews in clandestine publications. The film received particular praise for its attention to historical detail and its ability to create a convincing alternative world that many viewers found more plausible than the official historical narrative.

Speculation and Theories

Numerous theories have emerged regarding the film's production and its creator. Some researchers suggest that Abendsen had access to classified information or assistance from former intelligence operatives, given the accuracy of certain historical details that were not public knowledge. The Reich Historical Institute maintained that the film was actually produced by former Allied intelligence services operating from neutral territories, though no evidence has ever emerged to support this claim.

Search and Suppression

The Reich Cultural Authority and Japanese Imperial Censorship Board conducted numerous operations to locate and destroy copies of the film. Despite these efforts, fragments continued to surface throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The most complete known copy, comprising approximately 85% of the original runtime, is rumored to be held in a Swiss bank vault, though this claim remains unverified.

In Popular Culture

The film's influence can be seen in numerous works of underground art and literature produced in the occupied territories. Several resistance novels have incorporated elements of its alternative historical narrative, and its visual motifs have been repeatedly referenced in subversive artwork. The phrase "the grasshopper lies heavy" became a common coded reference among resistance members, often used to identify safe houses and sympathetic contacts.