#57339
02/17/2002 1:58 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,094 |
Sounds like heresy, doesn't it? But there are times when a playwrite or screenwriter can do wonders to a mediocre book.
The one that made me think of this is Forrest Gump. The movie is fabulously made, historical, funny and insightful. I read the book after seeing the movie and found it to pale in comparison, being completely unbelievable.
What examples can you think of?
|
|
|
#57340
02/17/2002 2:41 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
an Ozzie film of the 70's Walkabout its a bit dated now, but still filled with incredible scenes of the the outback.
the book was juvenile. the movie, breath taking!
and, just marginally better, Bridges of Madison County the book [gag me with a spoon emoticon], the movie, not worth $9 movie fee, but okay as a $4 rental. (but hell, clint eastwood standing there fully clothed, doing nothing for hour is worth $3!)
|
|
|
#57341
02/17/2002 3:02 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 320
enthusiast
|
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 320 |
Going back to 1939, both Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz are pretty well established as classic films, while the books haven't held up as well. I'm sure there are lots more. Probably some of the Grisham and Stephen King stories.
|
|
|
#57342
02/17/2002 3:05 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189 |
Interesting proposal, Jazzo. I'm definitely of the "you have to read the book first because the movie never does justice to the book" school, so for me to say the movie is better than the book takes a lot. I seem to recall that I thought Rosemary's Baby was more riveting than Ira Levin's book, but that was a while back so I'm not sure why. I know there were a couple more along the way where I was forced to concede the movie was better...I'll be thinkin'....
|
|
|
#57343
02/17/2002 3:42 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 819
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 819 |
There was an Ozzie novel called, "Bliss" that was so-so, but the movie version was very good! There's a US movie of the same title - don't bother!
The movie version of Zorba the Greek wasn't better than the book, but I felt it did the book justice. It rates as one of my favorite flicks.
|
|
|
#57344
02/17/2002 3:45 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409 |
|
|
|
#57345
02/17/2002 4:34 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189 |
Connery Bondif that ain't the name of a movie star, it should be!
So, you like Connery Bond moore?
|
|
|
#57346
02/17/2002 4:39 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605 |
or have you sean moore of Connery?
|
|
|
#57347
02/17/2002 5:52 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409 |
|
|
|
#57348
02/17/2002 6:34 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636 |
The movie "Como Agua Para Chocolate"(Like Water For Chocolate) and the book of the same title are so exact, I relived the movie reading the book. Unfortunately, I do not know which was written first. Does it make a difference? The movie was a gem, and if you haven't seen it, what on earth are you waiting for? ***** two thumbs way up.
Another, I don't know if you can find it on video, but well worth the time to watch itHi, Musick"Solo Y Caminando Por la Calle" A film noire jewel from the Golden Age of Mexican Ciné. Buen provecho.
|
|
|
#57349
02/17/2002 11:52 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,070 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,070 Likes: 2 |
...sometimes a playwright or screenwriter can do wonders for a mediocre book
I would offer
-- Black Orpheus
-- Bridge on the River Kwai
-- Our Man in Havana
-- 2001
(You can tell how many movies _I've_ seen recently!)
|
|
|
#57350
02/17/2002 1:35 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189 |
lazen by the VCR , Max! movies/booksWhen I first heard that Turner Productions was filming George Orwell's Animal Farm I was very skeptical, and said that they should just leave it alone because they'll never do justice to the book. However, I found the movie, Animal Farm, to be superb! (it aired about 3 years ago on TNT) I was highly impressed with the treatment, and the special effects were also magnificient (live-action talking animals). If you haven't seen this one treat yourself, find it and enjoy!
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
|
|
|
#57351
02/17/2002 2:31 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
I thought that The Loved One was better as a movie but just because the character of Aimee Thanatogenous was more developed in the movie.
For me, the movie Dr. Strangelove edged out the book just because of the scene in the War Room when the camera panned across the table sliding quickly past the book Selected European Targets in Megadeaths. That kind of subtlety can't happen in a book.
The reason that the book usually far outclasses the movie is that it's just not possible to fit a book into the time period that a movie can sustain. Robert Graves's I, Claudius was made into a thirteen hour BBC special. They managed to squeeze in about one half of the first book and maybe a tenth of the second, Claudius the god and his wife, Messalina.
|
|
|
#57352
02/17/2002 4:46 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 872
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 872 |
Sounds like heresy, doesn't it? But there are times when a playwrite or screenwriter can do wonders to a mediocre book
Or a director. Stanley Kubrick, a genius of our time, made movies that transcended the best of the books on which they were based. Can anyone think of an exception?
|
|
|
#57353
02/17/2002 5:04 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467 |
Arthur C. Clarke 9and someone else whom i have forgotten now) wrote the screenplay for 2001, and after the movie came out Clarke wrote the novel. Themovie is far superior to the book.
Another one where the movie is better is A Clockwork Orange. And if Alien was a novel before it became a movie, the movie is FAR FAR better because, well, just because.
[drool-e]
TEd
|
|
|
#57354
02/17/2002 5:33 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,605 |
I'd nominate Exodus, principally because IMHO Uris cannot write anything more sophisticated than a laundry ticket.
I trust no one will nominate The Greatest Story Ever Told?
|
|
|
#57355
02/17/2002 6:09 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
That was a creepy, very cool ghost story! But I don't think there was a book--or is a book--that preceded it. Does anyone know anything about the script?
Boo regards,
WordWooooooooooooooo! [blood-curdling scream emotisound]
|
|
|
#57356
02/17/2002 6:50 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409 |
|
|
|
#57357
02/17/2002 7:10 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189 |
lazen by, etc.
Yeah, Max...and you must've been mooretified when they hired Roger to replace Connery Bond©! I went and copyrighted the name for ya, mate! you deserve it! 
|
|
|
#57358
02/17/2002 9:54 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
Wordwind, do you mean The Others movie with Nicole Kidman?
As soon as the daughter said that the others were viewing the house (sometime in the first quarter of the movie) I knew the whole point of the plot. The word "viewing" made is so obvious to me. My family were in the dark till the end. (y'all notice I didn't give away the end just in case somebody hasn't seen it)
|
|
|
#57359
02/17/2002 9:59 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
One movie that I found *as good as* the book was Of Mice and Men. John Malkovich's and Gary Sinise's portrayals of Lennie Small and George Milton were incredible.
|
|
|
#57360
02/17/2002 10:00 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
Yep, BelM, that's the one--with Nicole Kidman. The movie completely took me in, lock, stock, and barrel. (How would a lock, stock, and barrel take one in? Have I mixed a metaphor here?)
My daughter took me to see it--and, even though she'd seen it before--we hugged each other for safety during various points of the story.
Ghost regards,
WordWraith
|
|
|
#57361
02/17/2002 11:41 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189 |
Of Mice and Men.
Ah, but have you ever seen the original with Burgess Meredith and Lon Chaney, Jr.? Excellent.
And there was also a wonderful Hallmark-Hall-of-Fame in the early 70's with George Segal.
Didn't see the recent remake, but with your vote, bel, that means all three adaptations are worthy of the book. Something of a record I'd say. 'Course, if there was ever a book made for a poignant theatrical treatment it's that one. Love John Steinbeck. Grapes of Wrath with Henry Fonda wasn't bad, either.
|
|
|
#57362
02/18/2002 1:39 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 477
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 477 |
Forrest Gump. The movie is fabulously made, historical, funny and insightful. I read the book after seeing the movie (emphasis mine)
For me, it really depends on which happens first. ie. If I've read the book first, the movie is sometimes disappointing - mainly because the script writers / movie producers have to condense the books so much to fit into timeframe. If I've seen the movie first, I can find the book laborious (unless it is brilliant).
eg. I read Bridget Jones's Diary before seeing the movie. Loved both (related to it a little too closely I suspect) but found myself noticing through the movie which bits were missing.
Anyone else relate?
Hev
|
|
|
#57363
02/18/2002 1:59 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
>but found myself noticing through the movie which bits were missing.
Anyone else relate?
Pssshhh ya. I find that most movies adapted from Stephen King novels can't develop ALL the characters in detail like he does, so they wind up falling a bit short.
Eg. If you've read the book Needful Things you'll understand why, at the end of the movie, a woman walks by wearing sunglasses, looking spaced out, dazed and confused. If you haven't read the book you wonder what on earth she is doing there.
|
|
|
#57364
02/18/2002 2:24 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 819
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 819 |
The movie completely took me in, lock, stock, and barrel. (How
would a lock, stock, and barrel take one in? Have I mixed a metaphor here?)Lock, stock, and barrel refers to the pieces of an old muzzle-loading rifle. If you consider yourself the powder charge, the patch (or wadding) or the bullet (or ball) you're not mixing the metaphor. Of course, that's one way to REALLY shoot your mouth off!
|
|
|
#57365
02/18/2002 3:22 AM
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866 |
Max / CapK - which came first, Once Were Warriors the film or book?
It'd be hard to imagine the book (if there is one) could deliver the raw, gut wrenching (as I've posted before) emotion of the film. Let alone the calm patches (vistas of Kiwiland) between the emotional and visual storms.
The toughest film I've ever watched - but one that should be compulsory. Why? To remind all of us just how fortunate we are if we are loved by somebody.
stales
|
|
|
#57366
02/18/2002 1:21 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146 |
The toughest film I've ever watched - but one that should be compulsory. Why? To remind all of us just how fortunate we are if we are loved by somebody.
... well, at least, fortunate that we don't live in South Auckland. People who have lived there have told me that Jake-baby is still alive and well there, and smashing up pubs and faces with gay abandon ...
Believe it or not, the whole scenario was re-enacted throughout Zild during the 1960s and 1970s. The pub down the road from our place used to be known as "The Flying Jug", for obvious reasons.
Never read the book. Can't even remember who wrote it.
Romper-Stomper was pretty gritty, though, although perhaps a leedle less generic.
I would think, though, that for everyone - especially those who have over-idealised views of life in Zild - Once Were Warriors is more-or-less compulsory viewing. Leave your rose-tinted glasses at home, too.
The idiot also known as Capfka ...
|
|
|
#57367
02/18/2002 1:33 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
I'd concur with those who have noted the impossibility of packing a densely scripted novel into the limits of a typical length movie. But conversely there is a class of film which plays to the medium's *strengths in ways that no book can, er, replicate. I am thinking of course of the stunning visual impact (which continues to affect visual design and architecture to this day) of a film like Ridley Scott's Blade Runner - the little story of 'Do Androids Dream...' is surely of limited interest and consequence by comparison.
|
|
|
#57368
02/18/2002 1:41 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189 |
The other film that absolutely astonished me for its trueness to the book, quality of production, and, amazingly, historical accuracy, was Gettysburg, another Turner Production. I never thought Michael Shaara's The Killer Angel's, his magnificient historical-novel about the Battle of Gettysburg from a mostly Southern point of view, would ever be translated so faithfully or eloquently to the screen. Aside from some, IMHO, questionable choices in the interpretation of Gen Robert E. Lee (Martin Sheen's or the director's, or mutual agreement, I don't know), the picture was truly majestic! (George C. Scott was originally signed to do Lee, which would have been a treat to see, but he got sick and had to bow out...looking forward to Robert Duvall's "Lee" in Gods and Generals this Fall). Of course, as someone mentioned earlier, this was a 4 hour movie so they had ample time to do the book justice.
And I still think Jeff Daniels deserved the Supporting Actor Oscar that year for his Col. Chamberlain...think the usual Academy prejudice toward new upstart independent studios robbed him of it (Gettysburg was the first time Turner Productions ventured a theatrical release).
|
|
|
#57369
02/18/2002 4:33 PM
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 679
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 679 |
Bridges of Madison County the book [gag me with a spoon emoticon], the movie, not worth $9 movie fee, but okay as a $4 rental. (but hell, clint eastwood standing there fully clothed, doing nothing for hour is worth $3!)
I have to say that I liked the film... [hang my head in shame emoticon] But then I'm strongly into photography and it inspired me to take good photos of bridges! Remember upstate NY, Helen?
|
|
|
#57370
02/18/2002 4:44 PM
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 679
addict
|
|
addict
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 679 |
Or a director. Stanley Kubrick, a genius of our time, made movies that transcended the best of the books on which they were based. Can anyone think of an exception?
I take particular exception to his last film Eyes Wide Shut. Uttercrap© And I agree that he is a genius of our time! The whole film can be summed up by its last uttered word.
Kubrick made classic masterpieces such as Barry Lyndon (my personal favourite), Spartacus (or is that Spardecus??), The Heist, The Shining and Full Metal Jacket. "This is my weapon. This is my gun. One is for killing, the other's for fun" Great stuff.
So why does his swansong show us a pathetic, badly-acted softporn film that has none of the punchiness of his previous excellence? Hard to imagine. I blame Tom Cruise myself. He couldn't act the maggot.
|
|
|
#57371
02/18/2002 5:02 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
Re:--I find that most movies adapted from Stephen King novels can't develop ALL the characters in detail like he does, so they wind up falling a bit short.
and here i was thinking "Dolores Clairborne" (is that the right last name?) the movie was so much better than the book.
i like Stephen King's could be possible books better than his "eerie, otherworldly" ones, with a few exceptions. i loved Firestarter.
|
|
|
#57372
02/18/2002 5:06 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
Just gave this thread another quick read-through. Don't think anyone's mentioned Ethan Frome...
Both the book and the movie are fantastic! Couldn't put one above the other. I read the book upon my niece's recommendation--just had missed it somehow over the years--and it knocked my socks off. So, I checked the movie out at Blockbuster, again upon my niece's recommendation, and that knocked my socks right up the chimney and I've been sockless every since.
Best regards,
WordWhooshed
|
|
|
#57373
02/18/2002 6:00 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189 |
Stanley KubrickI can't let Kubrick's name go by without mentioning one of my all-time favorite films, Paths of Glory (1957 w Kirk Douglas), one of the most searing anti-war war movies ever made. If you ain't seen this one, make it a must! It's a WWI tale about 3 French soldiers chosen arbitrarily from a whole regiment cited for cowardice, facing possible execution if convicted by Court Marshall, just to set an example. A powerful, emotionally charged epic with fine performances all-around. (Not sure if it was adapted from a book, though [just to keep it relevant to the thread-e  ]) Paths of Glory...see it! (note to those who know the movie well: the description is worded so as not to give the story away to those who haven't seen it) Eyes Wide Shut??????????????????...agreed.
|
|
|
#57374
02/18/2002 6:12 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
Then of course there's oh Brother Where Art Thou?. Well, it's sure funnier than the Odyssey!
|
|
|
#57375
02/18/2002 6:31 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
|
|
|
#57376
02/18/2002 8:08 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146 |
Have to disagree with whoever above said that the movie A Clockwork Orange was better than the book. The book was different to the movie, but, IMHO, much more chilling. Guess it's subjective, huh!
The idiot also known as Capfka ...
|
|
|
#57377
02/18/2002 8:20 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 771
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 771 |
I've got to get it out of my system - IMHO, Stanley Kubrick was less the genius that everyone wants to give him credit for being, and more a totally f***ed up guy with loads of psychosexual baggage who just happened to pull together both the talent and the platform to air it. Granted, of the Kubrick canon, I've only seen A Clockwork Orange, Eyes Wide Shut, Dr. Strangelove, Lolita, 2001, and The Shining - but whoa. That's enough for me to be convinced he was one freaky dude.
|
|
|
#57378
02/18/2002 8:21 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409 |
|
|
|
|
|
