BOATS AND CANALS

Just lately because I find the Television totally boring I have started to read some of the books that I read a little while ago, OK ages ago. Most of them have been turned into films but why do the films deviate so much from the book insomuch that they only have a slight reference to it.

Some of the films in question.

The Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
The Man in the Iron Mask - Alexandre Dumas
Ivanhoe - Sir Walter Scott
The Count Of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
The Railway Children - Edith Nesbit. Two films but neither is true to the film

I find the books actually better that the films so why do they not follow the true text,

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Maurice

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Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

I agree, I wonder if the plot lines are too complicated for the average cinema goer?

I have been reading a whole series of fantasy books called the Dresden Files. The lead character is a pretty tormented guy but the TV series dumbed it all down.

Cheers Graham

The problem for film makers is he length of the book. Just ask yourself "How long did it take me to read that book?" I'm going to suggest a ball park figure of 4 hours. That 4 hours has to be condensed to 1.5 or 2 hours depending on the budget.
Below, me (left) with the legendary Roy Ashton working on the "Ghoul" featuring Peter Cushing.

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Laurie Booth
http://www.pamelasalem.net

I understand what you are saying Laurie and agree with you that the book has to be condensed when making a film of it, but parts of the film don't represent any part of the book, bits left out, OK time constraints, but bits added that are not in the original story in any shape or form, why. The Count of Monte Cristo deviates entirely from the book so much so the ending is a completely different story and doesn't represent the book in any way.

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Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

Sadly I haven't read the book or seen the film.

_________________
Laurie Booth
http://www.pamelasalem.net

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Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

i have found that when you read a book,you picture a character for each part, but when you see the film,the characters seem entirely different to what you imagined. I have yet to see a film that bettered the book.

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.... my memory,s not what it used to be.
also my memory,s not what it used to be.

............................mike.

I think the film "The Omega Man" is better than the book "I am Legend"

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Laurie Booth
http://www.pamelasalem.net