I know it has been a while since I've posted anything... basically I've been reading the same book for over two months now. The whole house/moving thing has pretty much completely eaten into my reading time. So here's my third installment comparing books with their movie versions.
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery (1908) vs. Anne of Green Gables (1934 film) and (1985 television movie)
The book is definitely better than either of these two versions though both of them are pretty decent. The cast in both film versions do a good job at bringing the characters to life but the 1934 film pretty much ignores the last half of the book and the 1985 version also skips a good bit too even though it is fairly long. Decision: Read the book.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985) vs. The Handmaid's Tale (1990 film)
This one isn't even close. Despite being relatively faithful to the story of the book, the film somehow seems to get everything wrong and captures none of the emotion. Decision: Read the book.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (1844) vs. The Count of Monte Cristo (2002 film)
Another one that isn't close. The film version completely changes the story, omits major characters, and isn't entertaining at all. Decision : Read the book.
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (1936) vs. Gone with the Wind (1939 film)
The book just rubbed me the wrong way. The film version at least makes the characters a bit more likable and less racist. Plus the film version is pretty epic in depicting the burning of Atlanta. Decision: See the movie.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (1979) vs. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1981 BBC television series) and (2005 film version)
The 2005 film is just not good at all. The 1981 BBC version though is worth watching since it really captures the feel of the book (being low-budget probably helped). Decision: Read the book or see the BBC version.
MYSTERY/HORROR/SCIENCE FICTION book section
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith (1955) vs. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999 film)
The cast of the film is really good and I couldn't not imagine Matt Damon and Jude Law as the main characters while I was reading the book. However the film misses too much of the book and doesn't really show us how twisted Tom Ripley's thoughts are as the book does. Decision: Read the book.
Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1887) vs. "A Study in Pink" 2010 episode of Sherlock
The first episode of the 2010 BBC Sherlock is a very loose adaptation of the first Sherlock Holmes book. In both Watson returns from a foreign war and quickly meets Sherlock Holmes and ends up as his roommate and assistant while solving a murder mystery. Both are really good and different from each other. Decision: Read the book and watch the television episode.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick (1968) vs. Blade Runner (1982)
Despite having the same basic plot and characters the book and the film feel like two completely different things. The book really does involve electric sheep. Decision: Read the book and see the movie.
Red Dragon by Thomas Harris (1981) vs. Manhunter (1986 film) and Red Dragon (2002 film)
The book is entertaining as is the first film, Manhunter. The remake is pretty faithful to the book but the cast just seems wrong. Ralph Fiennes is a great actor but just doesn't capture the character of the killer at all. Decision: Read the book or see Manhunter.
The Shining by Stephen King (1977) vs. The Shining (1980 film)
The novel of The Shining is a classic and pretty scary. But you know what... the Kubrick film is even better. Decision: See the movie.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (1985) vs. Ender's Game (2013 film)
The film version looks nice but seems to miss the emotional point of the book. First off the kids are all way too old and they don't seem to have that hard of a time at battle school. Decision: Read the book.
