How do adaptations of literature to film change the original narrative?
Resources & Suggestions
Mains Answer Writing Latest Articles
On: February 24, 2025
Daily Answer Writing Practice Questions (24 February 2025)
The rise of the work-from-home culture has brought about several ethical issues in private organizations. In this context, do you believe it is ethical for an employee to engage in moonlighting? Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) घर से काम करने ...
On: February 22, 2025
Comments:
0
Indo-US Relation: Areas of Cooperation & Conflicts
Key Areas: Defense, technology, trade, energy, and regional cooperation. Key Areas of Cooperation 1. Defense and Security Transition from buyer-seller to co-production and technology sharing. India as a Major Defense Partner (MDP) and inclusion in STA-1. Access to advanced technologies, ...
On: February 22, 2025
Comments:
0
भारत-अमेरिका संबंध: सहयोग और संघर्ष के क्षेत्र
मुख्य विषय: भारत-अमेरिका संबंधों की मजबूती, विशेषकर रक्षा, प्रौद्योगिकी और क्षेत्रीय सहयोग में प्रगति। सहयोग के प्रमुख क्षेत्र 1. रक्षा एवं सुरक्षा सहयोग भारत और अमेरिका के बीच रक्षा संबंधों का विस्तार। प्रमुख रक्षा साझेदार (MDP) का दर्जा और STA-1 ...
Adaptations are developed into films for the consumption of general audience, for them to delve deeper into the literature that derives from a certain socio-political era, so they are fundamentally ‘re-written’ or molded into a differently presented adaptation. These changes might or might not insinuate the original readers of the literature, but are my made by the filmmakers to adjust to the current scenario of the world( if they are to impart social message) or to adjust to the needs of the ‘marketplace’ as well because of the more commercialized nature of cinema, with respect to literature. However these adjustments do not hinder the precis of the literature so that the perfect essence is captured. Some examples from Indian Cinema would be the famous director Vishal Bhardwaj who reinvisioned Shakespeare’s classic tragedies from the 16th century. Maqbool (Macbeth), Omkara (Othello) and Haider (Hamlet) were brilliant adaptations that never strayed away from the central theme of the tragedies – death, misunderstandings, jealousy, chaos. Bharadwaj proved his mettle through his vision of Shakespeare’s work in the various political backdrops of India. Maqbool was a right hand man goon of a famous underworld don of Mumbai who falls in love with the Don’s young wife and betrays the Don. So Macbeth in current world scenario in India with the undercurrent of symbolism and motifs used by Shakespeare to enhance the visual experience. Haider is set in Kashmir, which is a politically volatile state with the civilians and army in a tug of war. It is based of off real disappearings of people in Kashmir and the various oppressors of Kashmir.
While Omkara is set in the wastelands of Uttar Pradesh where ‘gundagardi’ is on a wave, while two brothers are misled in various directions of Omkara, finally to their demise. So these tragedies are an example of basic developments or changes done to the source literature to enhance and adjust the body of work for better presentations in the current world scenario, as cinema is understood to be a mirror of the society.
Adaptations are developed into films for the consumption of general audience, for them to delve deeper into the literature that derives from a certain socio-political era, so they are fundamentally ‘re-written’ or molded into a differently presented adaptation. These changes might or might not insinuate the original readers of the literature, but are my made by the filmmakers to adjust to the current scenario of the world( if they are to impart social message) or to adjust to the needs of the ‘marketplace’ as well because of the more commercialized nature of cinema, with respect to literature. However these adjustments do not hinder the precis of the literature so that the perfect essence is captured. Some examples from Indian Cinema would be the famous director Vishal Bhardwaj who reinvisioned Shakespeare’s classic tragedies from the 16th century. Maqbool (Macbeth), Omkara (Othello) and Haider (Hamlet) were brilliant adaptations that never strayed away from the central theme of the tragedies – death, misunderstandings, jealousy, chaos. Bharadwaj proved his mettle through his vision of Shakespeare’s work in the various political backdrops of India. Maqbool was a right hand man goon of a famous underworld don of Mumbai who falls in love with the Don’s young wife and betrays the Don. So Macbeth in current world scenario in India with the undercurrent of symbolism and motifs used by Shakespeare to enhance the visual experience. Haider is set in Kashmir, which is a politically volatile state with the civilians and army in a tug of war. It is based of off real disappearings of people in Kashmir and the various oppressors of Kashmir.
While Omkara is set in the wastelands of Uttar Pradesh where ‘gundagardi’ is on a wave, while two brothers are misled in various directions of Omkara, finally to their demise. So these tragedies are an example of basic developments or changes done to the source literature to enhance and adjust the body of work for better presentations in the current world scenario, as cinema is understood to be a mirror of the society.
The first thing that anyone should consider regarding this delicate and debatable subject is that good literature is being written by someone who is truly passionate about what he is writing and who wants to extend his imagination to other people. And any person reading his work will filter the writer’s imagination through their own imagination and understanding of the subject. Thus, that one piece of literature will have its own thousand different versions. The strong influence of historical literature proves that this allows people to evolve through time.
When the film is being made by using the existing literature or the story, it has to meet the standards of the particular industry. While doing so, the interpretation of the story will solely depend on a handful of people, and the film will be made based on their interpretation. Details like the atmosphere, location, and surroundings can only be shown through the screen. So the advantage of the imaging or seeing the story by yourself diminishes.
Sometimes, the 300 or 400 page book needs to be translated into the form of a film. In which certain details or parts cannot be covered into 2 to 3 hours of the film. Which can cause major loopholes in the story. I can talk about my experience about the adaptation film I watched, ‘The Da Vinci Code (2006)’. In the book, the story is being backed by pretty strong motives and purposes through some detailed explanations, which the film was not able to provide. The character portrayals in the book are glorified with exceptional writing. Some important details in the book were also left out in the film for fear of negative criticism. Thus, the film did not achieve the original motive of the story, as in the book.
The conversion of literary works to movies automatically changes the original story because each of these media has distinctive specifics. In fact, many films reduce intricate plots and character developments so that they can become shorter to fit into the limited time available. In a movie, it is all about what your eyes see, unlike books where one uses words to paint pictures in their minds. Novels normally have first person narrators while film creators typically prefer an external perspective which may not be as reliable as the former approach. The story is usually paced to form a definite linear trajectory with characters engaging more straightforwardly than in novels that contain many subtleties expressed through dialogue and actions. Moreover, film industry workers tend to edit some facts pertaining culture-specifics or marketing trends thus resulting in a shift from the initial source text. Lastly, such adaptation is driven by directors’ and scriptwriters’ artistic positions on how this should be done since they may enhance or impair the primary content of books.
Adaptations of literature to film often change the original narrative due to differences in medium and creative interpretation.
The Great Gatsby (2013) Directed by Baz Luhrmann
Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby adapts F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel by updating the Jazz Age setting with contemporary music and lavish visual effects. The modern soundtrack and CGI amplify the opulence and excess of the era but can overshadow the novel’s subtle social critique. While the visual spectacle enhances the themes of wealth and decadence, it sometimes shifts focus from Fitzgerald’s nuanced prose to the film’s sensory experience. The characters’ portrayals, influenced by the modern aesthetic, reflect the era’s extravagance more vividly, impacting the original narrative’s tone and depth.
Macbeth (2015) Directed by Justin Kurzel
Justin Kurzel’s Macbeth adapts Shakespeare’s tragedy with a gritty, visceral visual style and a dark, brooding atmosphere. Set in a bleak, medieval Scotland, the film emphasizes the brutal and violent aspects of the story. The dialogue is retained, but the visual and auditory elements, such as intense battle scenes and haunting landscapes, enhance the themes of ambition, power, and madness. These changes create a more immersive and intense experience, but the focus on visual spectacle can sometimes overshadow the play’s psychological complexity. The characters’ portrayals, particularly Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, are deeply influenced by the film’s somber tone, affecting the original narrative’s balance between action and introspection.