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This week, our Monday Movie Meme is all about adaptations...from book, play, true life story etc. to the movie screen. Molly and Andy at The Bumbles recently saw a play of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and began thinking about the many different movies that originated in another form. I won't even stick my neck out and say that these movies are BETTER than its original medium (I might be pummeled!) but are equally as good. I also won't list movies that I personally haven't seen, which is why I will restrain from listing the many Oscar-nominated movies this season:
Gone With the Wind - I have to list this one, as I am in the middle of doing a month-long read-along and it is top of mind. If ever there was a movie to do justice to a book, this is it.
The Shining - I did love this book (I think I started reading this guy in 8th grade) but that movie is TERRIFYING! Redrum!
Pride & Prejudice (A&E version) - this was a new discovery for me. I fell in love with the book, and was recommended to see this version on film. I did not believe that anything could come close to Jane Austen's genius, but it was amazingly perfect.
Jaws - Peter Benchley's book was entertaining (at least when I read it in middle school), but even now, in the age of amazing effects and graphics, this movie rocks. We've watched it here in our house no less than three dozen times. I shouldn't wonder why nobody in our family will get in the ocean past our knees!
Shawshank Redemption - again, love King's written word, but this movie is magical. It comes on TV all the time, and if I come across it when changing channels, I have to sit and finish it out.
Adaptation - OK, how perfect is this? Regretfully, I've not read "The Orchid Thief" which is what this movie was based on, BUT I was mesmerized by the movie. It was brilliant. There is no doubt in my mind that the movie is at least equal to anything written.
8 comments:
Some good ones there. Adaptation was an inspired choice, and I suspect I'd have picked Gone With The Wind and Jaws too if I'd actually read the books (same with Wizard of Oz, which your mention of Gone With The Wind reminded me of).
The TV mini-series of Lonesome Dove was awesome. One of the best book to film adaptations.
Loved Shawshank Redemption movie, but never read the book.
I don't do horror, so The Shining is out!
Great list! I could agree with Gone With The Wind. I haven't read it in about 20 years though so I would have to re-read - I seem to remember liking the book more though.
As much as I love The Shining the book was even better. I did not read the short story Shawshank Redemption was based upon - I love that movie and imagine that since the story was short the movie probably did it complete justice in longer form.
I did not read Jaws - but I have heard that it was terrifying - just like the movie is to me.
I did not like the movie Adaptation at all - maybe I should read the book.
And don't think poorly of me but I have not seen or read Pride & Prejudice - I need to make more time for the classics!
One of my favorite book to movie adaptations was Lonesome Dove. I don't usually read or watch many Westerns, but this one is so much more, and is the best!
I think Mystic River turned out to be a good adaptation from book to movie.
And although liberties and changes were made, I thought the Lord of the Rings movies were just as wonderful as the books in their respective mediums.
Eerie - I'd never read Wizard of Oz, but I suspect if I had, that would have been on my list. I love that movie!
Beth - I have neither read nor seen Lonesome Dove. I think I'm missing out. Well, if you do decide to do horror just once, this would be the movie to see. It is awesome.
Bumbles - No I don't think poorly of you at all. I was ripped off as a youth with regards to the classics. I was never required to read them. I'm getting to them only after 42 years!
Melissa - another Lonesome Dove fan! I really missed the boat on that one.
Wendy - I had heard that both the book and movie of Mystic River were fabulous, but somehow I missed both of them. And I forgot LOTR!!! How could I???
If you go back to early films, most of them were based on short stories and plays. I just watched Red River with John Wayne and Montgomery Clift which is based on a short story published in a magazine. Casablanca is based on a stage play called Everybody Goes to Ricks.
Clara Bow's big hit movie It was based on a non-fiction newspaper essay about sex appeal. The woman who wrote it has a cameo in the movie. I can't remember her name, but I do remember Clara Bow. ;-)
James - I am terribly lacking in expertise on the older movies and their books. That is why I need your input! I had no idea that Casablanca was based on a book.
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