202: Unit 3 – Film from Literature

In this unit, you will consider how storytelling elements are similar in both film and literature and use their understanding to evaluate the literary merit of a movie.  Additionally, they will look at the differences and similarities in the medium of film as compared to the written word.  Students will be able to evaluate the similarities and differences in literature and film; analyze the story techniques that differentiate the film from literature; analyze the visual interpretation of film versus the written word; and compare and contrast art forms.

Each of the movies presented in this unit are based on books, short stories, or plays (other forms of literature).

To achieve the greatest degree of fulfillment for this unit, you should read at least one of the pieces of written of literature, but we, of course, encourage you to read all of them. If you want to start easy, try reading the play “A Few Good Men” or the short story “The Body” (which is the movie Stand by Me).

Here is a fun video from CineFix that notes the differences between the movie and novel versions of Jaws.

Need the movie? Get it on Amazon. Here’s the readable play version.

A Few Good Men is a movie based on another type of literature, a Broadway play. After a successful run on Broadway, writer Aaron Sorkin and director Rob Reiner met and discussed turning the project into a movie, which Sorkin also wrote.

Journal Assignment:

Before watching, the movie, respond to the following:

1. In your mind, how are plays and movies different?

2. How are they the same?

3. In what ways is a play more limiting than a movie?

4. Which format do you think is most limiting for a writer? Novels? Movies? Plays? Why?

After or while watching, respond to the following:

1. Prior to the final confrontation with Jessup on the witness stand, which argument, is factually the strongest? Why?
2. What is the primary defense argument made by Kaffe?
3. What is the argument against the defendants made by prosecuting attorney, Jack Ross?
4. At one point, Kaffe says, “It doesn’t matter what I believe, it’s about what I can prove.” What does he mean by this?
5. What is a code red? Why is this such a critical element to the movie?
6. Which character has the greatest character arc – is the most dynamic (changes from the beginning to the end of the story? Kaffe, Dawson or Galloway?
7. Consider arguments of authority (ethos), emotion (pathos), and logic (logos). Find an example of each in A Few Good Men and explain.
8. What type of argument is Kaffe successful with against Jessop?
9. Which aspect of the story or character did you find the least believable? Explain.
10. When you watch the movie, does it feel like a play or a movie?
11. If you read the play version, how does it aesthetically differ on stage?

Something very unique happened after the movie was released — the play was changed to be more like the movie! Here’s director Rob Reiner talking about the differences between the movie and the play as well as the changes writer Aaron Sorkin later made.

Need the movie? Get it on Amazon. And, here’s the novel version.

This movie, also an Oscar winner for Best Picture, is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris. It features a female protagonist in a community and era not used to dealing with women in authority roles.  As you watch consider the themes of psychology, roles of women in society, forensic science, and the use of violence.

Journal Assignment:

Take notes as you watch. Focus on themes and character development in your notes.

After watching, respond to the following:

1. Explain the plot in your own words.
2. Breakdown the development of the following primary characters: Clarice Starling, Jack Crawford, Hannibal Lector, Dr. Chilton, James Gumb.
3. Consider and note the roles of lesser characters: Catherine Martin (the kidnapee), Adrelia Mapp (Clarice’s friend/roommate), the various law enforcement officials, and the scientists who discover the moth.
4. Discuss the following themes: Use of psychology, roles of women in law enforcement, violence, and forensic science (keep in mind, when this was written, forensics was just coming of age).
5. Give an overall analysis of the movie.
6. Would you consider the use of violence and profanity over-the-top or necessary to the plot? Explain.
7. If you read the novel, how do the two differ? Which did you prefer?

Stand by Me: Based on the novella The Body, by Stephen King, who claims it is somewhat autobiographical.  It is in an anthology which also contains the novella for the next movie on this list.

The Shawshank Redemption: Based on the novella Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, by Stephen King. This movie has long been in the #1 spot of IMDB’s list but does not rank in the top 25 for AFI.

Forrest Gump: Based on the novel by Winston Groom.  The movie is also an Oscar winner for Best Picture.

Apocalypse Now: Based on Robert Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness. Of most of the movies on this list, it probably varies the most from the original text while keeping intact the main elements of the story.

No Country for Old Men:  Based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy.  This movie will be mandatory watching in the “Academy’s Best” unit, but we thought we would introduce it here as well. When you watch the movie, there are many uncertainties and questions left behind at the end of the movie that are resolved in the novel.

Jaws: Based on the novel by Peter Benchley. Both the book and the novel sparked a new genre of storytelling. Watch, read, and experience the differences.

Argo: This movie combines two sources — it is based on the novel The Master of Disguise by Tony Mendez and an article by Joshuah Bearman titled “The Great Escape: How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue the Americans from Tehran.”

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENTS:

Option 1: If you have read the written versions, then write a 300-500 word comparison and contrast for each analyzing the differences and which you prefer.

Option 2: If you have not read the written versions, write a 250 word movie review for each. In your review, do not focus on retelling the plot, but rather the impact of the story, the character development and the aesthetic qualities.  Ultimately, give the movie a letter grade justified by your review.

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT: Unit Assessment

Choose one of the movies for which you read its literary counterpart and write a minimum 400 word analysis considering the following:

1. Why did you choose this story?
2. What are the general similarities and differences between the movie/written version?
3. What are some shared elements (story, plot, character, setting, dialogue? How did these shared elements impact the movie?
4. What are some differences regarding those same storytelling elements?
5. How do the visuals of filmmaking alter your perception of the story?
6. What is something the movie does better?
7. What is something the written version does better?
8. Which version did you prefer? Why?