An MFRW post – And check out the other blogs on the hop!
I’m a firm believer that the original medium is always the best medium. If a book is turned into a film, there will be something lost in translation, and vice versa. But while it might not always resemble the original story to the letter, I still enjoy many books-turned-films. Here are some of my favorites.
Harry Potter Series:
These got better, once they realized how big the series really was. Am I infuriated at the portrayal of Ginny Weasley, uh ya. But with a few exceptions – SPEW and Harry’s sarcastic retorts among them – I genuinely love this series. The stories are large and expansive, and probably better suited to a television program like Game of Thrones but I’ll swear by them and rewatch them forever.
Pride and Prejudice:
Both of them. I love me some Colin Firth standing in a corner glowering, but I also like not devoting 4 hours of my time to a movie. I think Keira Knightley did a wonderful job capturing Austen’s essence and it’s so visually beautiful to watch. But also Colin Firth brooding does it for me.
Ten Things I Hate About You:
Let me be frank. I hate Taming of the Shrew. I think the antiquated idea of trying to calm a woman down with marriage – represented in Ten Things I Hate About You as her uppity feminist ideals, is absurd, to put it lightly. But this movie is still the perfect teenage, coming of age rebellion story, and they played off and got rid of a lot of the misogynist nonsense. Plus it’s hilarious. Plus Heath Ledger.
She’s the Man: 
I’m going to admit something. I only understood Twelfth Night because I watched this movie a lot growing up. Firstly Amanda Bynes is a remarkable comedian, and Channing Tatum, despite looking way too old to be in high school, does dry comedy well. It’s hilarious, in addition to giving some clarity to the French farce of the original story. It also makes a lot of subtle references to the play.
Outlander:
Okay, it’s a television program and I’m cheating. But honestly, this show is remarkable. The books are thick with content and history and a whole lot of details that don’t make it in, but I don’t envy the person who has to narrow it down. They capture the essence of the story, keep the show active and exciting, and make me want to fall through the stones.
I love books. I love the smell of them, the joy I feel at getting the next one in a beloved series, the way they make me cry and laugh and disappear from the world around. But I admit that there is beauty and humor and fun to be found in remarking them into something new. Books may be my favorite, but I’ll go back to these movies and shows time and again, and that must count for something.
What are your favorite adaptations? Drop a note in the comment section! ♦
Good list. All the remakes of Shakespeare’s plays somehow skipped my mind when I was working on my list. Don’t know why. I thoroughly enjoyed 10 THINGS, despite the antiquated and insulting premise 🙂
I agree! The original concept is just so hard to swallow-and I say this loving old Will! But I do think that 10 Things was at least aware of how sexist the story is. Plus, Health Ledger, haha!
Good list. All the remakes of Shakespeare’s plays somehow skipped my mind when I was working on my list. Don’t know why. I thoroughly enjoyed 10 THINGS, despite the antiquated and insulting premise 🙂
I agree! The original concept is just so hard to swallow-and I say this loving old Will! But I do think that 10 Things was at least aware of how sexist the story is. Plus, Health Ledger, haha!
I’ve watched both She’s The Man, and Ten Things I Hate About you. I did not know either were based or inspired by books.
Yup! It’s pretty amazing when you realize how many books and television shows are inspired by Shakespeare. That guy is everywhere!
I’ve watched both She’s The Man, and Ten Things I Hate About you. I did not know either were based or inspired by books.
Yup! It’s pretty amazing when you realize how many books and television shows are inspired by Shakespeare. That guy is everywhere!
I LOVED 10 Things and Taming of the Shrew:) Though admittedly, I read the Children’s version of Taming, and recognized the plot of 10 when we read the blurb while renting it.
Haha, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on Taming. I’ve read about fifteen of Shakespeare’s plays, and that one is just so hard for me to swallow. I can’t see around the sexism of it. But I’d like to know why you enjoy it! (And Ten Things is so great!!)
I LOVED 10 Things and Taming of the Shrew:) Though admittedly, I read the Children’s version of Taming, and recognized the plot of 10 when we read the blurb while renting it.
Haha, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on Taming. I’ve read about fifteen of Shakespeare’s plays, and that one is just so hard for me to swallow. I can’t see around the sexism of it. But I’d like to know why you enjoy it! (And Ten Things is so great!!)
Oh yeah, Outlander (love Jamie Fraser!). I had no idea some of the movies on your list were Shakespeare adaptations, though. Thanks for teaching me something. 🙂
Haha, Jamie Fraser is book boyfriend number one! (Some like it Scot!) Thank you for stopping by and reading the piece – I’m glad you learned something new! 😀
Oh yeah, Outlander (love Jamie Fraser!). I had no idea some of the movies on your list were Shakespeare adaptations, though. Thanks for teaching me something. 🙂
Haha, Jamie Fraser is book boyfriend number one! (Some like it Scot!) Thank you for stopping by and reading the piece – I’m glad you learned something new! 😀
I had no idea those movies were based on Shakespeare. I love the reworking of old tales into modern stories.
Agreed! I’m a huge fan of fairytale rewrites for the same reason. It’s always fascinating to see a classic story in a modern world. Thanks for visiting!
I had no idea those movies were based on Shakespeare. I love the reworking of old tales into modern stories.
Agreed! I’m a huge fan of fairytale rewrites for the same reason. It’s always fascinating to see a classic story in a modern world. Thanks for visiting!
Interesting post, Gemma. I love me some brooding Colin Firth, too, and I didn’t mind the 4-hour miniseries. My husband even watched the whole thing with me!
I didn’t realize the two modern movies were based on Shakespeare. I’ll have to check them out. I, too, am not fond of the plot of Taming the Shrew. Too misogynistic, but perfectly true to his time.
I don’t agree that the book is always better then the movie, as I can think of 3-4 exceptions, but generally you are correct.
Haha, there is nothing quite like Colin Firth Darcy, mmMm! You’re lucky to have a husband willing to watch with you! I could probably get my boyfriend into the Keira Knightly 90 minute movie, but I doubt he’ll go for four hours.
Agreed on the Taming of the Shrew, for sure! I’m sure the standard of the day made the sexism in that show barely a blip on the radar, but in today’s world, I’m just not there for it, you know? Definitely check out the films! They’re both a lot of fun!
I’m curious as to what your exceptions would be! I’d have to think for a while, but I’m sure there are some that defy the rule.
Interesting post, Gemma. I love me some brooding Colin Firth, too, and I didn’t mind the 4-hour miniseries. My husband even watched the whole thing with me!
I didn’t realize the two modern movies were based on Shakespeare. I’ll have to check them out. I, too, am not fond of the plot of Taming the Shrew. Too misogynistic, but perfectly true to his time.
I don’t agree that the book is always better then the movie, as I can think of 3-4 exceptions, but generally you are correct.
Haha, there is nothing quite like Colin Firth Darcy, mmMm! You’re lucky to have a husband willing to watch with you! I could probably get my boyfriend into the Keira Knightly 90 minute movie, but I doubt he’ll go for four hours.
Agreed on the Taming of the Shrew, for sure! I’m sure the standard of the day made the sexism in that show barely a blip on the radar, but in today’s world, I’m just not there for it, you know? Definitely check out the films! They’re both a lot of fun!
I’m curious as to what your exceptions would be! I’d have to think for a while, but I’m sure there are some that defy the rule.