I saw “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” part 1 this weekend. Wow, is all I can say. It was amazing. Not only in how it interpreted the book, but also just as a film unto itself. Beautifully directed, edited, music was great. It was the kind of movie where it doesn’t hurt quite so badly when you look at the total amount of money you spent between tickets and concessions. My family doesn’t go to the movies frequently, but this one was worth it all.
I’m also in the midst of re-reading all of the Harry Potter books with my little girl. We just finished book 3 and are both enjoying the different things that the books and the movies have to offer. The movies provide all the great acting and movie sets, being able to see all the places come to life before your eyes, and of course the books, besides being the original source of the stories, also have all the great details, etc. some of which they just can’t fit into the movies.
Because of all of this, I’ve been thinking about different books made into movies. The Harry Potter franchise, in my opinion, has been one of the best. I don’t feel like there are any just plain stinkers in the lot. But we all know, there have been some reeeeeaaaalllly bad movies made from good books. Stephen King comes to mind. For some reason, a lot of the movies made from his books miss the mark somehow. It’s not his fault obviously. Once an author has to give up their rights to the movie industry, they don’t have any control obviously. What’s funny as far as Mr. King goes, is that one of the most beloved movies made from his books, “The Shining,” is vastly different from the book. Key elements are there, but there’s a lot left out. But most people will say that “The Shining” was a good movie.
So it seems that there are a few categories here… 1) good book, bad movie 2) good book, good movie 3) good book, good movie, but but what on earth did it have to do with the book? and 4) Good book, terrible movie and did the director/producer even read the book?!
Some books can make terrific movies, but some perhaps are just better left as books.
What are some of your favorite books turned into movies? Even better, what are some of your NOT favorite ones?
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4 users responded in this post
I am so bummed out I was sick the day my family went to see it! I love the Harry potter movies–best thing to happen to families this century, in my humble opinion.
A few off the top of my head:
Most amazing and most difficult has to be the Lord of the Rings movies. How anyone found the courage to take on one of the most beloved/well-known/most deeping followed trilogies in this century is beyond belief. Then to do it in such a phenomenal and yes, loving, fashion, blew me away. Best ever imo.
Apollo 13 – Great movie, really boring book. lol. After seeing the movie over and over, ( i have the dvd), I decided I wanted to read the book it was based on. The book was, sorry to say, totally boring and dry beyond belief. Lots of facts and science terms, lots of he saids/they saids/and thens without much that made you feel like you were reading a “story”. It was a documentary in text. Movie was soooo much better than the book.
Dungeons and Dragons – Any of them made into movies were horrid. The movies were horrid. The books a bit more interesting, the games much better.
The Wizard of Earthsea – Ok I liked the books a lot. I was dubious of the movie when they made it. (made for tv only I believe) I was pleasantly surprised though. While not following things exactly in that so much had to be cut out that I liked about the book, I still thought they did a very nice job with it. The casting was very well done and I could actually see those actors as the people in the book believably.
While the purists will scorn me for mentioning comic books as books, I have to include them. There have been some really phenomenal movies made based on very popular comic book franchises. Marvel Comics has benefitted greatly from the wonderful movies that have been made about the various heros/villains of their books.
All I can think of off the top of my head.. I may think of more later
Jeanie
Not being a big movie goer, this one is tough. I think King’s books don’t come to film well because so much happens internally with the characters that it is difficult to portray on screen. With “The Stand”, a lot is told in dreams. While I felt that was one of the better movies of one of his books, I still liked the book much more.
I liked the “Thorn Birds” on the small screen much better than the book, though the author wasn’t fond of it. I also liked the first two “Anne of Green Gables” movies better than the books in many ways.
The movie, “Gettsyburg”, which is based upon the book, “Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara, is equally as engaging as the book.
The new “Chronicle of Narnia” movies are amazing. I think they do C.S. Lewis’ books justice.
The “Love Come Softly” series by Janette Oke is better than the movies. They changed a great deal as the series continued, and it just wasn’t the same.
Cheryl
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