Enemy Mine (novella)

Enemy Mine is a science fiction story by Barry Longyear. In 1980 it won the Hugo and Nebula awards for Best Novella. In 1985 it was produced as a science fiction film by Twentieth Century Fox. The movie was directed by Wolfgang Petersen, and the cast included Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr..

Template:Spoiler It is the 21st century. In the midst of an interstellar war between humans and Dracs (lizard-like aliens), human pilot Willis Davidge (played by Dennis Quaid) and Drac pilot Jeriba Shigan (played by Louis Gossett Jr.), engage in a spacecraft battle resulting in both crashing on an alien world with oxygen atmosphere, water, and dangerous but nutritious animal life.

After initial hostilities, the two eventually learn to cooperate in order to survive. They work together to build a shelter against the near-constant bombardment by meteorites, and to satisfy their needs for food, water, and warmth. They learn to overcome their differences, become friends, and learn each other's language and culture.

Later, facing expected death ("something's not right") and with child (sans sex), Jeriba teaches Davidge the full list of his ancestry, a necessity if the child is to be accepted back into Drac society. Davidge raises the child as if his own. The Drac youth is enslaved by criminal humans, then rescued by Davidge, other enslaved dracs, and Davidge's fellow military personnel in an emotional climax wherein the two races are confronted with their shared positive traits.

"This war, as all wars, ends."

Davidge recounts the young Drac's ancestry before the holy council on Dracon in a traditional ritual. The name Davidge is added to the linage when the linage is next recounted says the voice-over as the film ends and the credits begin.

External links

• Enemy Mine at IMDb