Paper or Plastic (The film of the book)

Name: Shadowtwinchaos

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Product:	The film of the book
Date:	05/10/02 (352 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You win some

Disadvantages: You lose some

Books vs. movies, how do you compare the two. They are such different creatures. I love them both. There is nothing like curling up on the couch on a rainy day with a good book. But on the other hand, there is nothing like curling up, late on a Friday night with a bowl of popcorn and a good horror movie. Two completely different things.

But then you add to the mix the wonderful/terrible blend of a movie made from a book. *gasp* Can they do that? Yes, and they do it all the time. Taking the wonderful words of one author or another and turning it larger than life and plastering it on the big screen. When I first got the idea to write this opinion, I really thought that there were very few movies made from books that did a good job of it. But then I started my research and found several that I felt did a very adequate, if not excellent job of interpreting a novel to the big screen.

Now, of course, there are also those who do a crap job of it. Especially the ones that are “loosely based on a novel by” Then, you can almost guarantee that it will be very different from the book. And if you liked the book, you probably wouldn’t like the movies.

However, there are arguments for all sides of this debate. Here are a few of the examples that I have come up with for all sides. You may or may not agree with me, but I found that it isn’t as clear cut as I first imagined.

Books that are better than the movie;

.The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo - while heavy handed on the descriptions at time, this tale of power, betrayal, lust and love is potent. Lots of violence, death and emotion. Reading this book can leave you with questions about your life, your religion and love.

Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame – while not the only film version of this great novel, I used Disney’s version as a prime example of how Disney is one of the worst movie companies for taking a grea
t piece of literature and bastardizing it for money. Turning it into a fun romp around Paris where almost no one dies and it has a happy ending. Almost every strong point about this book was missed. Disney turned it into a book about not judging a book by its cover, which is NOT the point behind the book at all, but only a small part.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (the book) – hailed as one of the finest horror books ever written, a great piece of literature, I have to say that this book kept me on the edge of my seat. The descriptions, the fear, the Victorian setting all woven together in a great novel makes it a book worth reading again and again.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (the movie) – produced by Francis Ford Coppola, I’ve never seen a more botched work. I have to say that this is one movie that I completely despised, not only because it did such a shoddy job of telling a powerful and wonderful story, but because it was a botch job of a movie in itself. Dark, confusing, but most of all, it was dull. The book kept me on the edge of my seat, the movie, on the edge of sleep.


A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess – here is a book that looks at violence and crime in society and takes you down the path of Alex, the main character. This book is set in a futurist, but realistic realm. Told in “slang” there is a dictionary in the back of the book to help with words you wouldn’t understand. This book is a very difficult read, but well worth the effort. It has a strong statement of violence and sex in society and where it might lead.

A Clockwork Orange (the movie) – directed by Stanley Kubrick. While this film is not a real dog, however, I think that it loses so much in the viewing. When reading the book, the violence and sex is very much a bad thing, you are repulsed by it. In the movie, it almost turns it into an action flick with a bit of comedy thrown in. The book poses some v
ery serious questions about how to reform criminals. The movie seems to be more of a romp through Alex’s life. I don’t think it was what Kubrick intended, I just don’t think that this is a book that needed to be brought to the mass public. When I hear people talk about the movie, they seem to revel in the violence and agree with it. Maybe this is just proof that the book was right. Violence isn’t going away, it is actually becoming more acceptable.


The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike – this book is a wonderful, fun look at society, witchcraft, relationships, love, sex and women. While not for everyone, definitely a woman’s book, it makes some great points about women not allowing their lives to be dictated by men and empowering themselves. It also shows a great statement of how conservative and prudish people could be. While not a great piece of literature, still a good read with lots of humor and valid points.

The Witches of Eastwick (the movie) – directed by George Mill II, was far from the effective statement that the book was. The movie turned the story into a fluffy, funny tale of vindictive women, silly pranks and bad porn. Jack Nicolson as the sexy main male character comes off lame and flat. Rather than sexy, he comes across as sloppy, rude and unattractive. The obsession the movie seems to take with food and sex seems to play to the most base of emotions instead of brining up valid points of sensuality and lust as the book did. I feel the movie did nothing more than cater to a mindless audience.

Movies I feel compliment the books:

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle – probably my all time favorite fantasy novel, I’ve read this book several times and will read it several more. The imagery, the storyline, the details, the characters are all vivid and fascinating. My children have read this book and loved it. It is the story of the last unicorn seeking others o
f her kind; her quest brings her far from her home and in touch with many people. It will make you laugh, cry and think.

The Last Unicorn (the movie) – an animated version of the book, I have yet to find a movie that sticks closer to the story than this. It brings to life characters I knew almost like family, a soundtrack that compliments the tale completely, with all of my favorite lines from the book intact. An excellent job that will bring magic to our dull, gray lives. It may even inspire those who would not normally read a book to pick it up and give it a go.

Lord of the Rings by J.R. Tolken – Probably one of the most indepth, complete works of fantasy to date. Tolken creates a world and fills it with beings of magic, wonder and skill. He pulls you in with wonderful descriptions and characters you get to know making the tale come alive in the reading. It has been said that Tolken is the Father of Fantasy. It could possibly be true.

Lord of the Rings (the movie) – I have to admit to some trepidation when I heard they were making a movie from Tolken’s great works. Having seen how badly movies from books can be, I worried that they would torture and destroy a great book. But I was in line to see it when it came out. And it was a wonderment of color, sound and magic. I sat, transfixed as his world came to life before my eyes. The biggest complaint that I’ve heard about this movie is the sudden ending leaving you hanging there. But, this was from anyone who hadn’t read the books. If they had read the books, they would know that this is a trilogy. The movie stops where the first book stops. The next movie will pick it up. I think that if they are that concerned with finding what happens, go get the book and read all three. Then you will know. :)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling – I will admit that I bought this book for my daughter, but being me, I had to read it
too. I loved it. Even though it is geared towards a younger audience, I found it captivating and fun. It kept me guessing and turning pages. The descriptions and characters were fun and believable, even if it is based on fiction. I think that just as important, it inspired many kids who might not be readers to pick up a book and read. Which I think is invaluable. Adults and children alike love this book.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (the movie) – another movie that I was worried wouldn’t live up to the standards of the book. However, we took all three of our daughters to see the movie for their birthdays. Of course, we had to tag along ;-) And we found ourselves just as enthralled with the wide screen wonder as the girls. The characters were well cast, the plot was stuck to, and many great quotes from the book were present. I think the movie did an excellent job of portraying the excitement, the magic and emotion without over doing the graphics and special effects. It didn’t come across as over blown or phony. The casting was excellent and we eagerly await the second movie.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – now here is a classic for you. A definite statement about social, economical and racial standards. This is a case where I saw the movie before I read the book. However, I believe that the book does a superb job of showing the prejudice and social problems of the era in a simple language that many people can enjoy. It is easy to read and understand. It also portrays the characters in a very real, believable way.

To Kill a Mockingbird (the movie) – directed by Richard Mulligan, this film sticks very closely to the book and does an excellent job of keeping the small town feeling to it. The children are portrayed exactly as they were in the book. Gregory Peck does a perfect job in the role as a small town lawyer, with the unusual trait of morals. A black and white film, it has all of the
qualities that I find attractive in a movie based on a book. First, it stuck to the plot of the book. Second, it included all important scenes from the book. Third, it didn’t add all kinds of unnecessary glop to attract an audience. No cleavage, no fancy special effects, no unnecessary violence or sex. This may have to do with the era that it was made in, but all in all, it is far and above one of the best movies ever based on a book.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck – forced to read this book in school, I have to say, I was a bit surprised. While not my usual read, in fact, not an author I fancy at all, I did find it very interesting and held my attention through it. Parts of it were a bit confusing and vague, but all in all, a good read. Not something I would have chosen to read myself, but glad that I did.

Of Mice and Men (the movie) – directed by Gary Sinise, this is one of a few movie versions of this book. I chose this version simply because it is the one that I have seen. Now, I did not choose to see this movie any more than I chose to read the book. In fact, I really thought that it would not transfer to a movie at all. It was at my friend’s insistence that I sat through it. Now, I am a fan of Gary Sinise, so I did go into it with an open mind. I have to say that the movie did an excellent job of it. All in all, it stuck to the story line, it brought to life the characters in a very believable manner. I found myself enjoying the relationships between the characters and the excellent portrayal of the emotions that the book brings out so strongly. While I will probably never read the book again, it is possible I would see the movie again. Which is rare, but true.

Lastly I would like to mention the rare times I have found that the movie surpassed the book:

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne – one of the worst books I’ve ever struggled through, I found this book to have a ver
y good plot. However, Hawthorne drags it down with long, dry, boring descriptions and half stated ideas. If he had done all he could have with this story line and cut out so much of the dry drivel, it would have been a good book. As it is, I would never touch this book again unless it was to kill a spider.

The Scarlet Letter (the movie) – directed by Roland Joffe, I found this movie brought out all the passion, romance, emotion, lust and excitement that the book lacked. It brought to a head all of the issues that the book merely hinted at. Let alone, you are spared all of the long, dry parts. One of the very rare cases where the movie far surpassed the book. I would watch this movie again. Demi Moore does an excellent job. The whole picture is well put together and everything I would have wanted the book to be. Two thumbs up on this one.

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas – while this book was not as horrible as The Scarlet Letter, I must admit it dragged on and on with tons of useless information and description. It was dull and heavy. What I would consider to be an action story, instead is a bedtime story with my eyes sliding shut as Dumas drags on. Far too much description and not enough action. I got through it once, I won’t subject myself to it again.

The Three Musketeers (the movie) – produced by Stephen Herek, I would subject myself to this movie again and again. While many points of the book are lost (thank goodness) and the story line isn’t stuck to religiously, I think the parts they took out not only helped to trim the story down and make it manageable, it brought out the adventure without losing the integrity of the story. Unnecessary characters were taken out, excitement put in. All in all, a superb romping tale with tons of fun put in. I own this movie and watch it many times with my kids, alone, with friends. Fantastic job!

Well, there you have it, the good, the bad and the u
gly. I was surprised at how this opinion turned out. I started out with one point of view – books are better than movies. I ended with a completely different view, even finding some cases where I preferred the movie to the book.

Nothing will ever replace books in my heart. I will always love reading. But on the flip side of that coin, nothing will ever take away my love of film either. I know that it is all a matter of opinion (good thing I’m putting in an opinion web site then). Books, movies, your choice. But I would be careful about mixing the two together. Making a movie from a book is tricky business. Some do it well, some fail miserably. So, whether you curl up with a good book or turn on your favorite flick, enjoy. Peace

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