The plot of a book may differ from the film adaptation. A detailed
study is made through a comparison of the adaptation with the original
book.
"It was better in the book!" Why can't film adaptations be compared to
books? Films based on books have been made since the beginning of
cinema's history. The works already have a fan base that will definitely
watch the movie, so such projects are potentially commercially
successful. However, most likely, these people will write angry comments
later.
Why Many Don't Like Film Adaptations?
When reading a book, visual images are formed that often do not coincide
with the director's vision. A viewer automatically equates the novel and
the film, so the comparison suggests itself.
Still, the director cannot guess what associations and images arise in
the reader's head. Moreover, a film adaptation interprets a work, and
everyone's perception is different. Opinions differ, and that's okay.
Why Shouldn't You Compare Books and Movies?
It's important to remember that film adaptations are not intended to be
a simplified version of the book. They are a new interpretation, a
different way of telling the same story. The script is crafted anew, and
the director has the creative freedom to alter the plot and details to
suit the medium of film.
Adapting a work is quite a difficult task. Many images cannot be
transferred to the screen due to the industry's restricted capabilities.
Here, animation comes to the rescue, but it works according to the same
laws of cinema: the script cannot incorporate all the details of the
book.
It is impossible to make an exact film version of the novel, if only
because of the volume of the original work. Somebody can read a book
leisurely in a few days, but the movie lasts a couple of hours. Due to
the format of the work, it is easier for the writer to reveal the
thoughts and feelings of the characters, but difficult work falls on the
shoulders of the director.
You're not comparing a photograph to a painting, are you? The photo has
more details and a clearer image. But in the gallery, no one will say,
"It was better in the photograph!". The statistics prove it. If you
don't believe it,
check here
to make sure. Literature and film are different art forms: they use
various media to tell a story. Thus, one can argue for the quality of
the movie and the book by comparing them. It's impossible to disengage
from a book you've read completely, but you shouldn't just criticize the
directors.
Originality
Often, the film crew edits the plot to suit their own needs. It shows
the movie the way they see and feel it. Therefore, the idea of the book
often varies from the audience's.
The plot line of the film coincides with the novel. Still, if you read
and then watch the adaptation, it will be obvious that the movie
contains the events of several books in the series, despite the fact
that it is named after the first part. The actors may be completely
different from their literary "doubles"; they do not correspond to the
author's description.
Only the main scenes that change the plot are included in the film. When
comparing the book and the movie, you will find many little things that
were not given any attention in the last one. But despite this, you
cannot say that the film turned out better or worse.
Film Adaptations
The term “film adaptation” suggests the intricate process of
transforming a literary text into a script that serves as the foundation
for a film or TV series. However, beneath this seemingly straightforward
definition lies a complex and demanding task. Despite the presence of a
pre-existing plot, characters, and key events, the process of making
adaptations is often as challenging, if not more so, than creating an
original film. On a global scale, the adaptations can be broadly
categorized into three types:
- Direct film adaptation: This type is almost completely identical to the book, and even the smallest details are taken into account when shooting such films.
- Interpretation: The film is based on the book but does not require full compliance with it.
- General film adaptation: The film is based on the book, but significant additions are allowed that may change the original meaning.
In all cases, the difficulties begin from the very beginning: with
writing the script. At first glance, this should be the easiest part
because there is a ready-made plot, written characters, and main events.
Moreover, one must understand that the task of the film crew is not to
surpass the original but to take the hero and the story and tell it
through the screen language. Difficulties occur not only during the
filming of adaptations but even after their publication. After reading
the book, people who watch the movie tend to compare one with the other.
Often, these comparisons disappoint them.
For instance, a book may depict the main character as a tall, blond man
with blue eyes. In the movie, however, the character may be portrayed
differently, perhaps as a dwarf with glasses. It's important to remember
that comparing books and their film adaptations is fruitless. Both
mediums require immense yet distinct creative efforts.
Conclusion
Trying to compare the book and the film adaptation, to say which is
better or worse, is at least irrational. Reading or watching a movie is
a personal choice for each person. A film will never be able to evoke in
the viewer the emotions and feelings that have been experienced while
reading the book. However, the book also fails to recreate the
atmosphere of the movie. It isn't reasonable to mix these two completely
different types of art. You will simply come to failure when comparing
literature and the film industry. Read good books and watch exciting
movies. This is the only way to save yourself from meaningless thoughts.