It is a common saying that “books are always better than movies.” Some argue that books provide greater depth and bring characters to life more fully, while others may claim that movies offer a compelling visual experience.
Now, one could assume that the Librarian at LFHS would think that books are superior in every way, but it’s more complicated than that. Ms. Lauren Fairchild, the Assistant Librarian at LFHS, emphasized that some movies can be better than the book if done right.
“It definitely goes both ways; there are a lot of great books that have crummy film adaptations, but I do think it’s possible to have really amazing film versions of good books,” Mrs. Fairchild said.
Fairchild also mentioned that, in her view, the film adaptation of The Godfather: Part II, 1974, actually surpassed the book. She explained how the film was very memorable and resonated with her more than the book did.
Despite this, more recent film adaptations, such as the global hit series Dune, have led many long-time fans to assert that the movies were so much better than the book series.
“I read the first book and I enjoyed it, but I didn’t like it enough to keep reading the series. It was very dense and political, and was a very heavy and dry book,” Ms. Fairchild said.
Reviews for the film have also stated that the pacing in the book was a major problem, as it was also a super wonky story.
“I was not predicting space worms when I was reading the book. And certainly the tropes of him being the Messiah were predictable as well,” Ms. Fairchild said.
When adapting a book for the screen, directors may need to make large changes in the plot or characters. Authors often have an idea in their head of how they want their story to be told on the big screen, but it’s not always guaranteed that those ideas can be depicted correctly. These changes can sometimes leave fans of the book feeling disappointed.
Senior Rian Jalakam had a pivotal take on this problem, explaining that many movie adaptations tend to water down the essence of the original book due to regulations and marketing constraints.
“The filmmakers are forced into a position in which they have to think about what to put on the film and what to leave out. Books such as Blood Meridian have been neglected for an adaptation due to their severe amount of gore and violence,” Jalakam said. “While this isn’t necessarily a bad choice to make, it shows that the filmmakers are restricted by the needs of the audience and the reputation.”
Head Librarian Mrs. Katie Pausch believes that the flashy Baz Lurman version of The Great Gatsby from 2013 is a substantial example of a movie failing to grasp the essence of its original material.
“The book is very clear about the sort of ways the whole society is built of glitz and glamour, and how that’s not real and hides a really dark underside. The film just felt like one big party, and his character didn’t really come alive in the way it did in the novel for me,” Mrs. Pausch said.
Senior Madeleine Helfric emphasized that The Series of Unfortunate Events was significantly better than the movie.
“The books always left you on a cliffhanger, so that kept me reading the series,” Helfric said.
Even so, Mrs. Eikenberry, the Public Room Study Hall Supervisor, thinks that in some cases, the book and movie can work together.
“Some books have many characters that are so similar to each other that it can be difficult to remember who is who. It can be easier to keep track of characters in a movie because the characters are actually present on the screen,” Mrs. Eikenberry said. “Movies also show the expression and feelings of the characters, which makes it easier for the viewer to understand the characters’ situations.”
While this is true, Mrs. Eikenberry made another crucial point, stating that one can learn to love a book and appreciate the detail that the book provides.
“The first time that I read All the Pretty Horses, I thought that if I had to read about another tumbleweed rolling across the desert that I would choke. However, the more times I read the book, the more I loved its dry setting, which the main character had to endure,” Mrs. Eikenberry said.
Ultimately, the goal of a film adaptation is not to 100% replicate it but to reinterpret it. When there are changes in characters’ personalities or the plot entirely, these adjustments often stem from marketing constraints or the need to create a balanced storytelling experience that both longtime fans of a series and new audiences would enjoy.