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Thursday, November 03, 2005Loosely Based On One Or Two Chapters By Dumas...My darling husband, aware that I'd recently finished plodding through -- ur, reading -- The Count of Monte Cristo, surprised me by renting the most recently filmed version thereof. We popped some popcorn and watched it on Monday night. Never in my life have I watched an adaptation of a novel that veered so completely away from the original story. It was a good movie! Okay, the truth is out -- I hated the book. I couldn't keep track of the characters and couldn't care less what happened to most of them. If it hadn't been for my broken ribs, I never would have sat still long enough to finish the bloody thing. As it stood, I had nothing better to do, so I read the book. The movie eliminated at least half of the characters (that was a good thing), started with what in the novel was backstory (in short, the whole story was turned around), and let Monte Cristo have the girl in the end (he doesn't get her in the novel -- he gets a new, younger one). I literally laughed out loud at some of the ridiculous changes in plot. Aside from the basic premise of innocently-imprisoned-guy-gets-out-and-seeks-revenge, and the names of the few characters who were actually spared for the movie, there was nothing of Dumas in the tale. He's rolling in his grave, I tell you. Not that I care. He is definitely going down as an author to be avoided at all costs. I'll take Austen or Dickens any day. Even Eric, who, if you recall, doesn't read real books, was able to pick out the "Hollywood moments" in the film without my help. "He didn't really die that way, did he?" Nope. "That didn't happen in the book, did it?" Nope. "This is a Hollywood moment, huh?" Yep. Oy. Let it be known that this is the first time in my life that I have ever admitted to enjoying a movie more than the original book! Now it's your turn. What is the best film adaptation you've ever seen? What is the worst? Jill Schafer Boehme Eric Boehme Beat Your Own Drum |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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6of my readers are feeling chatty:
Thud...that's the sound of my copy of C.O.M.C. falling in my garbage can...just kidding. It's going to goodwill.
It took me almost three years (on and off of course) to read The Three Musketeers. But it was pretty good, once I got through it...
My favorite adaptation has to be Roger Michell's version of Persuasion, I love that movie. (Sighs happily.)
I don't care for Hitchcock's version of Rebecca. Which is odd, because I love Hitchcock. But that movie is a miss, for me anyway. Give me my tattered paperback copy any day.
Just stopping by from you hubby's blog. You are so
full of energy. Nice place here. Glad I got to
meet you too. Well you know what I mean. The blogging
world is fun.
Take care.
I really can't think of a good film adaptation of a book...For some reason Hollywood (or whoever produces a movie) always put on their spin to make it more interesting for the audience I think. For example, we just rented the third part of the "Left Behind" series and it sure was very loosly based on the book...actually the book had more action than the movie.
I am looking forward to movie based on the book by Ted Dekker called "Thr3e"(not a tipo - that's how is spelled :)), but after seeing the "Left Behind" movie, I don't expect too much. We will see.
I think the best is GOING to be The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
:)
I have shared this once before in another setting, but the film adaptation of "The Scarlet Letter" far and away excelled the puke-laden book.
Remember that they shot the old guy before filming? LOL
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