I let my friend Fizzy in through the back door – Sssh! Indi doesn’t know I brought a guest! It should be ok though, she’s generally polite and quiet … just a little quacking every now and then and she promises not to leave any crumbs – although, she has instead come up with a brilliant question (or two or three) for us to answer!!
So courtesy of Fizzy “Do you think that all books make good films? My Mother-in-law thinks that with the exception of “The African Queen” the book is always better than the film.”
So tell us (me, Fizzy and her MIL) what do you think? Is the book always better than the film? Or do you prefer cinematic treats? And either way, do you too have an exception that proves/breaks the rule?
I will behave myself honestly.
My MIL has always told me that “The African Queen” is a better book than the film. I am loathe to watch “The Kiterunner” film as the book is about as perfect as a book can get.
Fizzy’s last blog post..On a Lighter Note.
I usually have to read the book before seeing the movie. Otherwise the book experience is tainted.
Kwizgiver’s last blog post..rtfm, baybee…
The book is always better! I can’t recall any exceptions to this in movies that I’ve seen. I like to read first as well. The images in my head and the detail a book can convey is so much more in depth than any movie. Even if they put in all the background details, you are focused on what’s happening and they rush past it all too quickly. In a book everything is described and your mind embellishes. WAY better than any movie director
Yes, the book is always better than the film. Though I’m partial, as I have a BA in English Lit and much prefer books over films anyway.
Brenda’s last blog post..Kyle’s first time in the snow
There are very rare exceptions (GWTW is one) where the book has not been ruined by the film. The worst case I ever saw was “Prince of Tides” which is one of my favorite books because the writing is so rich and the movie was pretty much a totally different story.
“The Martian Child,” another story I absolutely adore, was half and half. Kept most of the story pretty much intact, but changed one crucial bit of background information and totally destroyed the ending for cinematic impact.
Read the book before you see the movie. ALWAYS.
Bev’s last blog post..Come Up and Skype Me Sometimg
In my opinion the book is always better. And I always read the book before I watch the movie. If I have already read the book years ago I will re-read it before watching the movie.
I too ALWAYS read the book first and so often find the film to be an abomination – A Good Year, The Bone Collector to name but two.
But there are exceptions – I thought Breakfast at Tiffany’s was far better as a film than a book.
the book is ALWAYS better.