The Oscar season may already have passed, but movie-time knows no season! Regardless of where we are or what time it is, we spend our day binge-watching all sorts of films. Movies have become a part of our journey growing up in life. Every year, this provides living proof that most of the adorned movies ever produced were adapted from a book.
As a post-celebration of the Oscar season, we've listed several timeless movies based on their source material. Get yourself a popcorn as we delve into this one by one.
1. To Kill a Mockingbird
Based on: Harper Lee’s 1992 Pulitzer Prize-winning book.
Book Blurb: The story begins in the small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. For three years, it follows the life of 8-year-old Scout Finch, her brother, Jem, and their father, Atticus. Between those periods, their father was arrested and had an eventual trial of a young black man falsely accused of raping a white woman.
Key difference: Unlike most of the results during a book-to-film adaptation, the majority of the film accurately portrays the novel. One of the minor differences is that instead of Scout, the movie portrays Atticus as the main character.
Photo from the wires
2. The Godfather
Based on: Mario Puzo’s 1969 dark thriller
Book Blurb: Almost five decades passed when a classic was born. The Godfather provides a glimpse to the readers about the first American family of crime fiction— the Corleones. Also, their honor, blood, and legacy of tradition. A severely critical portrayal of the Mafia world; that despite its violent scenes, continues to pique the interest of our collective consciousness.
Key difference: The point where the book and the film aren’t the same lies mostly with the characters' background history. In the novel, several characters are thoroughly discussed especially the ones explaining their development. However, in the book, these extensive backgrounds are excluded due to time constraints.
Photo from the wires
3. Little Women
Based on: Louisa May Alcott's all-time favorite 1868 novel
Book Blurb: The book follows the four March girls— May, Beth, Jo, and Meg— in their house, wailing about their misfortunate social status. They are united in their love for one another and their dilemmas to get through to survive the Civil War in New England. Unlike any other stories, Alcott emphasizes the life of most women by exploring timeless themes such as war and peace, internal conflict between familial duties, and personal aspiration.
It isn't far from the life of the author as it somehow shows her struggles in her early years. She later discovered that through writing, one can still make a profit out of it and survive the everyday hustles of fate.
Key difference: Due to its popularity, Little Women has been adapted numerous times ever since its first publication. But the award-winning director, Greta Gerwig, followed through with the ending Alcott always wanted— Jo getting her book gets printed. It's safe to say that she, like the author, has achieved success for herself. Greta wants the main character to be a story where 'the girl gets a book', and not the 'boy gets the girl’.
Photo from the wires
4. 12 Years A Slave
Based on: Solomon Northrup's 1853 memoria
Book Blurb: Based on a true story who is the author himself is forced into selling his freedom. Unfortunately, he was tricked and kidnapped by two men whose names are: Brown and Hamilton. They sold him in Washington and was a slave for a decade and two under numerous masters. One of the most masters he served with is a merciless drunkard named Edwin Epps. For his own entertainment, he beats his slaves until they die.
Instead of getting caught up with fear and force obedience, Solomon chooses to get a head-on with his masters. This may cost him his life as a result of his restrain.
Key difference: The movie reflects how the story was narrated in the book. However, some essential figures were condensed such as Henry B. Northrup who is vital in Solomon's rescue.
Photo from the wires
5. Harry Potter (2002-2011)
Based on: J.K. Rowling’s widely popular series
Book Blurb: It starts with Rubeus Hagrid, Professor McGonagall, and Dumbledore leaving an orphan baby boy with an unusual-shaped wound on his forehead, outside a house at Privet Drive. Thinking that the child's only known relative would kindly look after him. A decade later, they found out that Harry Potter sleeps under the stairs, and his relatives- the Dursleys- treats him differently and care less about him. Especially as it becomes clear that Harry's ancestry separates him from them.
When his eleventh birthday came, Harry was told about the truth of his magical journey— embarking on an enthralling adventure as he spends his youthful years in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; oblivious of the destiny he can't escape.
Key difference: Fans were slightly heartbroken about the change on most of its essential characters in the movie to shorten the length of several scenes. However, this doesn't change the fact that Harry Potter is one of the most popular book and movie for all ages in the 21st century.
CONCLUSION
It is worth notetaking that Classic English books have become a part of our culture, may it be in printing materials or in motion pictures. That most of the movies we enjoy today are inspired by or based on them. Although the adaptation may seem different from its original material, it's great to see another possible ending for our all-time favorite book turned into a movie.