Movie Wednesday: Watch a film adaptation
In Reading the Movies, William Costanzo notes that it has been estimated that a third of all films ever made were adapted from novels. If you count other literary forms, such as drama or short stories, that estimate might well be 65 percent or more. Nearly all of the classic works students study in high school have been adapted for film, some several times in several different eras. —From PBS’s Adaption from Novel to Film
It can be fascinating to see favorite characters from a book spring to life on screen. Whether we like the adaptation or not, it can give us insights into the story that we didn’t see before.
Here’s a helpful list of children’s books that have been made into films. After you’ve read the book and watched the movie adaptation, you might discuss:
What were the similarities and differences between the book and the film?
Did the cast fit the characters in the book?
If you’d been the director, what changes would you have made?
Were there scenes in the movie that were better than in the book?
Imagine that the author and the screenwriter met for dinner. What might they say to each other?
Happy adaptation watching!
Also, this winter we are offering a twofer movie club!
- Four movies about Brave Girls, four about Gutsy Boys (and a number of titles are adaptations!)
- Two movie clubs united by their intrepid protagonists.
- Sign up for one or…
- Join both clubs and save!
Click here for more information about our upcoming Movie Discussion Club!
Image by Emily Hildebrand (cc cropped)
Need help commenting meaningfully on plot, characterization, make-up and costumes, acting, setting and even film editing? Check out our eleven page guide, Brave Writer Goes to the Movies. Also, tell us about a film you and your kids watched together (along with a pic if you have one) and if we share it on the blog you’ll receive a FREE copy!
