11 Screen Adaptations Worthy of their Sources
This month I thought I would share several adaptations that I believe do great justice to their source material. If you’re already familiar with one, you might be encouraged to try its counterpart. Or, even better, try those you’re not familiar with at all!
THE CRUCIBLE
The Story: To avoid getting in trouble for an incident of foolish mischief, a group of girls in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts proceeds to spread rumors of witchcraft to steer attention away from themselves. Mass hysteria ensues. People die.
The Author: Arthur Miller
The Adaptation: Film version released in 1996, directed by Nicholas Hytner, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Joan Allen, and Paul Scofield.
Why You Should Watch It: The powerful story and performances will keep you riveted to the screen, and the message about applying reasonable, measured responses to whispers and rumors based on unfounded facts remains a highly applicable lesson to our society today. Hytner uses poignant lighting and unconventional camera movement to portray the chaos of the moment, but also the deep and heartbreaking human consequences.
DUNE
The Story: House Atreides is sent to govern the beautiful yet unforgiving desert planet of Arrakis. Upon arriving, young Paul Atreides begins to realize that he is not only an important pawn in complex political machinations, but that he is also a long-prophesized savior to the Fremen people who inhabit Arrakis. Plus, there are giant sand worms.
The Author: Frank Herbert
The Adaptation: Film version released in 2021, directed by Denis Villeneuve, starring Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, and Stellan Skarsgård.
Why You Should Watch It: It delivers on every level while remaining faithful to the book and its nuances. One of the greatest pitfalls when making sci-fi films is letting the spectacle overwhelm and outshine the story. Villeneuve knows to avoid this and does a great job letting the more fantastical elements serve and lift up the characters and their plights. Special mention must also be made of Hans Zimmer’s astonishing score, which is at once exhilarating, wondrous, and truly alien. In my opinion, this is the best science fiction film ever made.
HAMLET
The Story: A grieving son meets the ghost of his father who reveals that he was murdered and now wants his son to investigate. Son spends most of story agonizing over what to do. He also pretends to go mad and needlessly frightens off his girlfriend. Lots of people die.
The Author: William Shakespeare
The Adaptation: Film version released in 1990, directed by Franco Zeffirelli, starring Mel Gibson, Glenn Close, Alan Bates, and Helena Bonham-Carter.
Why You Should Watch It: Shakespeare’s language may be difficult for some to wrap their heads around, but it’s so beautiful and affecting, and absolutely worth the effort. The performances here are also top-notch. A lot of people scoffed (and continue to scoff) at the idea of Mel Gibson playing Hamlet. But here’s the thing; he pulls it off—and without the air of self-satisfied smugness that I think comes through from other actors. Plus, it’s got Helena Bonham-Carter, who has never disappointed me.
HARRY POTTER
The Story: A boy discovers he has magical abilities, goes to wizard school to learn how to use them, causes vast amounts of trouble, and runs into a Dark Lord and his followers who intend to claim the world for themselves. Boy must then lead the fight against Evil.
The Author: J.K. Rowling
The Adaptation: Film series released from 2001 to 2011, directed by Chis Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell, and David Yates. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and a host of Britain’s best actresses and actors.
Why You Should Watch It: Rowling’s book series is our generation’s best depiction of the age-old battle between good and evil, and the films manage to portray this with wonderful building intensity and generous amounts of humor, adventure, and hope. Yes, you do kind of have to ‘get through’ the first two films. These were aimed more at kids than any of the other films that follow. But once you do, you will find yourself on a truly epic and memorable journey that only gets better and richer with every subsequent film. In my opinion, the eighth and final movie, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part Two”, deserves to stand among the very best films ever made.
HENRY V
The Story: King Henry is encouraged to go to war against France over property rights. Along the way, he must deal with treacherous nobles, bolster low troop morale, and attempt to woo a princess who doesn’t speak English. Grand speeches are made. People die.
The Author: William Shakespeare
The Adaptation: Film version released in 1989, directed by Kenneth Branagh, starring Kenneth Branagh, Paul Scofield, Ian Holm, and Judi Dench.
Why You Should Watch It: As mentioned in “Hamlet”, Shakespeare’s language is a big draw for me. It’s like enjoying a thick steak after endless meals of watery oatmeal. Even though Henry’s reasons for going to war are quite frankly lame, this is a historical story and not one which necessarily forces you to choose who is right and who is wrong. Watch it for the performances. Watch it for the steak.
JANE EYRE
The Story: After overcoming a miserable childhood, a young woman finds employment as a governess in a large estate. Though the master of the place is moody and mercurial, she finds herself falling in love with him. There are proposals, terrible secrets, and things catching on fire. Through it all, the woman clings steadfastly to her values and dignity, even when it seems the whole world might turn its back on her.
The Author: Charlotte Brontë
The Adaptation: Televised serial released in 1983, directed by Julian Amyes, starring Timothy Dalton, Zelah Clarke, Judy Cornwell, and Andrew Bicknell.
Why You Should Watch It: This is my favorite book of all time. As such, I’ve seen every production that I’ve been able to get my hands on. This one is the best. It’s a BBC TV serial from the early 80’s, so don’t expect to be blown away by the cinematography or effects. That stuff isn’t what’s important here anyway. The adaptation is lovingly crafted, so faithful to the book, and willing to take it’s time to tell the story properly instead of racing along to fit a 2-hour window. The witty repartee is delightful. The gothic flavor is deliciously eerie and mysterious. Timothy Dalton, who considers this performance one of his best, is the perfect Mr. Rochester. Zelah Clarke, though ten years older than the novel’s heroine, is the perfect Jane. With a four-hour runtime, it’s admittedly a commitment, but one well worth making and which never loses its charms even after multiple viewings.
LITTLE WOMEN
The Story: The four March sisters struggle to find their way through life. Because this is 19th century New England and women are not encouraged to have careers, this mostly means they must find suitable life partners. Jo March, however, fights for her dream of becoming a published author. There are also incidents of scarlet fever, a literal skate on thin ice, and accidental hair-burning.
The Author: Louisa May Alcott
The Adaptation: Film adaptation released in 1994, directed by Gillian Armstrong, starring Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, and Christian Bale.
Why You Should Watch It: Okay. You got me. I’m the oldest of four daughters and it may not be a coincidence that there are several films on this list about such family situations. I hate to think this would ward off any guys from watching/reading it for that reason because the themes portrayed here are universal; familial love, honesty, the dangers of succumbing to societal expectations, etc. The film holds a great deal of warmth and earnestness, while also managing to avoid turning saccharine. Also—I am warning you now—Claire Danes will make you cry. Yes, guys. You too.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
The Story: A coalition of Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves, and Men must band together to take down the evil Lord Sauron before he can cover the land in darkness. This involves walking great distances, fighting several battles, and randomly breaking into song.
The Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
The Adaptation: Film series released from 2001 to 2003, directed by Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, and Cate Blanchett.
Why You Should Watch It: This is my favorite film of all time. And yes, I consider all three of them one film because I can, and no one has stopped me yet. I love everything about these movies. They have all the things I love about stories and portray them with such unabashed heart and devotion--from the acting to the costume design to Howard Shore’s genius score. Having recently read through Tolkien’s books again, I have an even deeper appreciation of how much incredible work was done to distill the story into these three movies. Is it perfectly faithful? No. But this is a perfect example of the importance of valuing ‘the spirit of the law’ over ‘the letter of the law’, to borrow a phrase. I could write ten newsletters about why I feel this way, and why the films even surpass their source material in some respects, but I will keep this short and simply tell you: see these films. Please and thank you.
OLIVER TWIST
The Story: An orphan escapes a terrible workhouse and falls into the clutches of a terrible master thief who employs children to steal for him. Despite finding himself in the bleak underworld of London, the boy meets people who are kind and good-hearted enough to help him out of it, even at a risk to their own lives.
The Author: Charles Dickens
The Adaptation: Oliver!, a musical film released in 1968, directed by Carol Reed, starring Ron Moody, Oliver Reed, Mark Lester, and Shani Wallis.
Why You Should Watch It: This is a brilliant adaptation which, despite being a musical, does not water down any of the hardship or darkness. Not to say that this story is all gloom. Quite the contrary. Part of Dickens’s great accomplishment as a writer was his ability to make such bitterness not only more palatable but more realistic by filling out his cast with a variety of interesting characters and infusing his prose with witty and humorous observations. This film manages to capture that same blitheness and buoyancy, not only through song and dance, but through the fantastic performances as well.
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
The Story: Five sisters in 18th century England must overcome a multitude of trials and tribulations in order to either be married or doomed to poverty. Involves lots of dancing, some catty gossip and scheming, and men who need lessons on how to propose.
The Author: Jane Austen
The Adaptation: Film version released in 2005, directed by Joe Wright, starring Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Donald Sutherland, and Judi Dench.
Why You Should Watch It: This film is a delight. The music, the cinematography, the performances—everything about it is excellent. There is an older BBC television serial starring Colin Firth which is often held as the standard, but I think this one exceeds it in several areas, not the least of which is its lighthearted spirit and artistic charm. And it has frickin’ Judi Dench, who is always fantastic.
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
The Story: After the death of their father, three sisters and their mother are kicked out of their fancy home and forced to move to a cottage in the country. As they attempt to adjust to their new lives, three men enter into the picture and complicate things. This is Jane Austen, after all.
The Author: Jane Austen
The Adaptation: Film version released in 1995, directed by Ang Lee, starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, and Hugh Grant.
Why You Should Watch It: This is my second favorite movie of all time. There are no explosions, angry dragons, or exciting chase scenes. No superheroes or great battles. Just three sisters who are trying to take care of their mother and each other. They don’t go actively looking for beaus. It’s almost entirely incidental that they meet at all, which—in my view—is an improvement upon the rather mercenary nature of the chief family in Pride and Prejudice. This film also made me a lifelong fan of Emma Thompson, who not only stars but wrote the screenplay and won an Oscar for it! It’s a gorgeous film in every way and so wonderfully intelligent without turning up its nose at anyone. Plus, you couldn’t wish for a better cast.