Novels Into Movies!

Reading a novel or watching a movie, which one would you prefer as your best mode of entertainment?
In today's modern world novels are things of the past we'd rather prefer a movie.
I'll tell you why.
Who has the time to sit with a 600 page book for days together to enjoy a good story? Nobody, not today atleast. Thats why people prefer to watch a story that begins and ends within 3 hours and also gives visual pleasure. But my query is what about those movies that are made on these 600 - 1000 pages novels? Do we watch them? If we do, do we like them?
Most of such movies are a filled with a little or (in most cases) lots of "masala" to suit the sesibilities of the so called "audiences".
The best example I would quote here is Jane Austen's timeless classic "Pride and Prejudice" and Gurinder Chadda's murderous attempt to make it into a movie bollywood style! I wished Eliza and Dracy didnt exist in the novel after having watched this disaster! Another version was released by Working Title Films and directed by Jeo Wright in 2005. The movie had its differences from the novel but nevertheless satisfied me immensly.
What do you people think about this trend of making movies out of timeless classics?
On my part I'd rather spend my time reading than watching caricatures made out of my favorite books.

Comments

Archana Narayan said…
Nice post, Smriti. I have not seen many classic made into a movie. I have seen Gone with the Wind. People may hate me for saying this... I preferred the movie because it was shorter and showed the 'relevant' aspects.

Other novels converted into movies, Harry Porter series, LOTR series, Firm, Rainmaker, Chamber, Da Vinci Code... I enjoyed reading and watching these movies. I will tell you why... it is interesting to see how a director visualizes whats been written in the book. The movie version is from viewpoint (how he imagines it) of the makers. Sorry for digressing!

Cheers,
Archie!
Mousumi Ghosh said…
I would rather enjoy reading a book than to see it as a movie. I feel that the movie version is from the viewpoint of the makers' how they perceive the novel as pointed out by Archie.
Unknown said…
novels is something which have facts into it n then people try to convert the basic facts into a movie.. people do watch movies for a shorter version rather to spend n waste their time into going inside the novel. movies contain creatures which creates an action and excitements of living creatures and moving body which defiantly a written novel can't give, so it turns out to be boring for todays generations , so they prefer watching movies which actually shows the living things.. novels are truth and imaginary aspect written by a person as same the movie is not createrd directly, for creating a movie firstly created a script which is a written part of movie n then the movie is created... as for me both novel n movies are interconnected but their is some difference in respect of creation n definition of both. as per my view i preffer movies ,short and intresting.
sonia said…
yes you are right. The fact that many people like to watch movies than reading books, establishes the fact that movies are the in thing today. For me , books anytime :)
Unknown said…
Nice post, Smriti. I have not seen many classic made into a movie would rather enjoy reading a book than to see it as a movie novels is something which have facts into it n then people try to convert the basic facts into a movie.. yes you are right. The fact that many people like to watch movies than reading books
ko.rainbow said…
You're right in saying that people prefer movies to books these days. People don't have the time to read nowadays. The books allow our own imagination to run wild whereas the movie shows us the visualisation of the director. According to me both have their own charm. I enjoyed both the movie and the novel Pride and Prejudice. Actually what movies do is give a face to the characters and we remember them that way. Thats nice in a way too, don't you think?
Unknown said…
Hmmmm... who has the time to read i prefer watching the movies and it suits me too :)
Unknown said…
Not sure about books i never read them so i prefer movies :)
Unknown said…
I agree with Archana Narayan i enjoy reading and watching best sellers
Unknown said…
Nice post,Smriti.you r right in saying that people like to watch movie rather than prefer reading novels.i like enjoy reading rather watching a movie,bcoz reading books creates same feeling of understanding whoever reads it and while watching a movie is from directors ponit of view were people may understand or may not understand.
Unknown said…
I havent watched any English films based o novels but I have watched many in Hindi and i have always loved them though as you say they are full of 'masala'
Unknown said…
I have no time to read so I rather watch and its a good post.
Unknown said…
books..novels...anytime....coz reading t books makes our imagination go up...n many times t books have not matched upto t movies...da vinci code..etc...
Unknown said…
it is good........
vinnu said…
i appreciate the article u have written here...
but again its all subjective i have seen many of my friends who love to read a novel rather to go to the same movie and spoil all the fun...
movie shows us only one direction
reading a book we can have our own imagination with no limits...
those who feel lazy to think can go to a movie but for those wants the real essence they will anyday...
Bobby said…
To me books hav their own importance... even if the they r shown into a movie people do watch them but still they stick on to books... and it also depends on many other factors... But yah they do watch the movie...Personally i would prefer both...
Asha Nilayam said…
Hmmm nice article - thinkable :).
I agree with VINNU - "our ow imagination with out limits " i like both reading and watching movies - depends on story too- but movies are on my priority list - eye appealing - "not lazy to think " though. but anytime reading a book intrain or under the shade of a tree - breeze around is unmatched.
Hi smriti, cool post, i agree with u and personally i prefer watching a movie rather than reading a book, after 5 hectic days of work, pressure , stress n tensions, i would like to go to a theatre, buy some coke n popcorn, and happily enjoy the movie forgetting every thing about tomorrow.

Popular posts from this blog

Books Books Books

Africa