1. In your opinion, what is the best translation of a book to a movie?
2. The worst?
3. Had you read the book before seeing the movie, and did that make a difference? (Personally, all other things being equal, I usually prefer whichever I was introduced to first.)
And, by all means, expand this to as long a list as you like. I’m notoriously awful myself at narrowing down to one favorite ANYTHING. So, feel free to list as many “good” or “bad” movie-from-books as you like. (Heaven knows that’s what I’ll be doing….)
I had trouble with word press this morning; no draft folder! So starting again..I do tend to shy away from films that are made from books that I have enjoyed. BUT My favourite book that was translated beautifully into a movie was, The Great Gatsby. I had read the book first and when the movie came out went to see it with SOME trepidation as so often movies just don’t do justice. Well this did do justice and then some. I felt that it was a pure work of art(in the style of European films; it could have been directed by a Bergman or even Antonioni…)
Robert Redford gave a wonderful performance as Jay Gatsby and he was aptly supported by Mia Farrow as Daisy. I was enchanted and came away feeling that the book was made even better…
Another movie(or series; does that count?) that I really enjoyed MORE than the book was the series I, Claudius. It was absolutely brilliantly done ; far more engaging that the book had ever been and the actors were ALL spine chillingly memorable.(Remember those were the days of the Roman Empire when family members thought nothing of poisoning each other if they thought Mom or Dad favoured them more)
As far as the worse movie made from a book goes; I would say; Love in a Cold Climate(the second series)
I adore Nancy Mitford books and was really disappointed in the dramatisation of this particular book.(Actually they made the series from 2 books by Mitford and that could also be why it did not work well) The scenes lacked the period piece quality and the whole thing lacked the humour which is such an important part. The girl (Rosamund Pike) who played the main character Fanny, seemed to think that all she had to do was smile in a vacant way all the time and that was acting enough!
Filed under: Meme
I would have to say for most movies made from books, I’ve been very disappointed. However, the Lord of the Rings trilogy was an exception – the movies were brilliant. I’m sure having 3 movies helped with that. Usually the problems with making a movie from a book is that things have to be cut out. And that upsets readers!
I never saw the Lord of the Rings as the book was and is very dear to me..(LOL)
and I was so afraid of being disappointed.
I wish now, that I had gone though…
Oh I wish I’d thought of The Great Gatsby when I was answering the question! Excellent choice (I liked the movie better than the book as I recall)
Thanks Gracie! Yes I think it ALMOST surpassed the book..
It’s HARD to do this type of question isn’t it,!
I’ve never seen the Great Gatsby version you speak of. I’ve only seen the older version although it was pretty good too. Come check out my answers: http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com/2007/07/booking-through-thursday_12.html
Hmm, don’t know the older one! Who was in it?
thanks for dropping by!
I’ve got to admit that I wasn’t crazy about The Great Gatsby, more for what actually happens in the story than anything else. It can be seen as a tribute to the author that he raised such strong emotion.
cjh
Almost everyone hates the Redford/Farrow version of Gatsby. I thought it was very beautiful, and that some of the problems in the film stemmed from using Fitzgerald’s dialogue – beautiful to read on the page, perhaps a little awkward (at least to our ears) as spoken dialog.
I Claudius – oh, definitely! (Can John Hurt do anything wrong?)
Thanks for visiting!
I agree with you totally, Hannah. When people fall in love with a book it is painful to see a movie version that is missing parts we feel were so crucial to the story.
I’m a horror fan though so I’ll have to say that I really liked how Stephen King’s book, “It”, turned out in movie form (although it was made for TV movie, as I recall). It was very true to the book. I was worried how they would handle certain things but was very pleased with how they translated all the nuances of the novel.
The absolute worst I’ve movie from book was V.C. Andrew’s “Flowers in the Attic.” Now I want to go see the version of The Great Gatsby Merri mentioned.
The Great Gatsby was a moralistic tale(IMHO)..
I didn’t like Gatsby’s character much but I know that one wasn’t meant to; hence the “lessons” .
(It’s good to read some of his other works, even his autobiography…it illuminates his own character and times and why he wrote the way he did.)
I adored the movie though; it was lush and gorgeous and
and then dark and despairing…a real feast!
thanks for dropping by, CJ!
I didn’t know that a lot of folk hated that version?
Interesting, and of course the book reflected the manners and mode of speech of its day, which would seem different, in the later part of the 20th century.
Yes John Hurt was excellent, but Derek Jacoby was fantastic…
Thanks for visiting, Melanie!
Teeni you are brave! I am such a chicken and cannot see the slightest bit of horror etc, or I dream about it and wake up screaming..ugh..lol.
Yes go and see it! Great summer time movie..
(have to admit, I had a crush on Robert Redford..lol)
I agree with Teeni! She even mentioned the book I was so upset with the remake.
Great website!
Hi CeeCee! Many thanks! and thanks for stopping by!
(yes I am VERY wary about movies made from books that I loved.)
Merri –
Well, the movie was well done but, as I remember it, it was more Daisy that I took an intense dislike to, not Gatsby.
Of course, it’s been something like 30 years since I’ve read the book, so I could be having a forgetful moment here.
BTW, I’m going to add you to my blog so I can find you again, if that’s okay.
cjh
LOL well she was exactly of her time too.
Not admirable people but a fascinating story!
Oh definitely! Thanks!
LOL well she was exactly of her time too.
Not admirable people but a fascinating story!
Oh definitely! Thanks!
(I added you to mine!)