While checking out books at the library this morning, I got into a discussion with two librarians about books that had been made into movies, and how the book is almost always better. One of the ladies commented that “E.T.” and “The Horse Whisperer” made much better movies than books, and I got to thinking about that as I drove home. What movies have I seen that were more enjoyable than the books?
The first that comes to mind is “Somewhere in Time.” The movie, made in 1980 and starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, is a beautiful if somewhat scientifically illogical movie, which, by the way, has a lovely website. Every time I watch the movie, my heart goes pitty pat and it doesn’t matter to me in the slightest that it doesn’t make sense. The book, on the other hand, written by Richard Matheson was a complete waste of time. Rather than showing the beauty of the relationship and the deep emotional bonds they created, it focused on their physical relationship and spend quite a good amount of time detailing it, which frankly killed all the romance for me. Definitely stick with the movie on that one.
Another was “The Princess Bride.” The book, written by William Goldman in 1973 and published by Bloomsbury Publishing had its good moments. We get a detailed description of the Pit of Despair, and the different fencing techniques are described thoroughly, making the conversation in the movie actually understandable. But therein lies the rub – the book is so detailed that it’s a little hard to get into the actual adventure of the story. Nothing bogs down a good, fast-paced action/adventure story like too much detail. In this regard, I much prefer the movie, which stars Carey Elwes and Robin Wright and was made in 1987. It remains to this day one of my very favorite movies.
Two of my other all-time favorite movies are based on Jane Austen’s books, “Sense and Sensibility” and “Pride and Prejudice.” I prefer the movies to the books for the simple reason that I’m just not mentally wired to understand the language of Austen’s writing. When I hear it spoken, as in the movies, I can get it then, but to sit down to read it? I have to flip a switch in my brain and it’s a switch that’s not easily flipped. The movie version of “Sense and Sensibility” is one that I have and will watch over and over again, falling in love with Colonel Brandon each and every time. And “Pride and Prejudice?” May I just say, “Colin Firth!!” If you’ve seen it, you know what I mean.
I must say, though, that for the most part I enjoy books more. You can delve into the characters’ minds and learn so much more about their backgrounds and their histories. I guess it all depends on the book, the movie, and the vision of the director who creates the movie.
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