The Magic of Film Adaptation:
The Tale of ‘The BFG’ told through Film
Research Question
Do film adaptations need to be faithful to their original texts in order to be successful? (16)
Background
When the film industry started to kick off in the late 19th century, the potential of adapting literary works into film was recognized; film adaptations are now a norm in today's cinema. As claimed by Academy Award Nominee Frederic Raphael, “...they (film-makers) would sooner buy the rights of an expensive book than develop an original subject”. Some modern examples include The Hobbit and the Harry Potter Series. (67)
Rationale
Even with its long history, film adaptations are suggested to be, as Meeusen (2015) puts it, ‘acting as poor substitutes that …show more content…
In contrast, the second section titled ‘Enunciation and Adaptation’ focuses on the non-transferable elements which may include narrational modes, meaning how the story was delivered (i.e. narration and dialogue). Finally, a ‘Special Focus’ is examined where a relevant theme or issue shared between the novel and adaptation is investigated. In this case possible special focuses that can be explored between the novel and film counterpart of my choosing are authority roles, fate and use of author’s wordplay.
Basing his framework on narrativity, due to the influences of scholars Christian Metz and Roland Barthes (Meeusen; 2015; p.7), McFarlane had created an unbiased approach to studying film in detail, as Charles Forceville, a fellow academic who reviewed the book, who goes on to say that “he provides enough theoretical background to ensure that his own analyses are systematic and verifiable, while the model remains conveniently flexible” (Martín; 1999; 145-148).
The Tale of ‘The BFG’ told through Film
Research Question
Do film adaptations need to be faithful to their original texts in order to be successful? (16)
Background
When the film industry started to kick off in the late 19th century, the potential of adapting literary works into film was recognized; film adaptations are now a norm in today's cinema. As claimed by Academy Award Nominee Frederic Raphael, “...they (film-makers) would sooner buy the rights of an expensive book than develop an original subject”. Some modern examples include The Hobbit and the Harry Potter Series. (67)
Rationale
Even with its long history, film adaptations are suggested to be, as Meeusen (2015) puts it, ‘acting as poor substitutes that …show more content…
In contrast, the second section titled ‘Enunciation and Adaptation’ focuses on the non-transferable elements which may include narrational modes, meaning how the story was delivered (i.e. narration and dialogue). Finally, a ‘Special Focus’ is examined where a relevant theme or issue shared between the novel and adaptation is investigated. In this case possible special focuses that can be explored between the novel and film counterpart of my choosing are authority roles, fate and use of author’s wordplay.
Basing his framework on narrativity, due to the influences of scholars Christian Metz and Roland Barthes (Meeusen; 2015; p.7), McFarlane had created an unbiased approach to studying film in detail, as Charles Forceville, a fellow academic who reviewed the book, who goes on to say that “he provides enough theoretical background to ensure that his own analyses are systematic and verifiable, while the model remains conveniently flexible” (Martín; 1999; 145-148).