Movies adapted from novels have been a popular trend for some time.
However, many University of Memphis students rarely find the time to read the books before they step into the movie theater.
Linda Hyatt, a librarian’s assistant at The U of M, said choosing to watch the movie instead of reading the original work can leave out many important themes.
“I think it’s good that elements of novels are brought out in movies, but sometimes the movies don’t always do that,” said Hyatt, who also writes fiction in her spare time.
Hyatt said that even though movies lack some of the content found in the original works, she still looks to the movies because they tell a story.
“Sometimes you have to refer back to the book to get more details,” she said.
“To Kill A Mockingbird” and “Something Wicked this Way Comes” Hyatt said are fascinating stories that, when changed into movies throughout the years make it hard to keep it original.
“Sometimes they change the facts (original content) in movies putting romantic scenes in it,” she said.
“Phantom of the Opera,” written in 1911 by French writer Gaston Leroux, is another work lost to the film industry’s popular trend. The film started out as a silent movie and is now a musical.
Chandler Pritchett, U of M art graduate student, said converting novels into books has always been popular. Pritchett said that the six Harry Potter books have taken this to a new level.
“If people enjoy reading then they would love it in movies,” she said. “It spreads ideas to a wider audience when it’s translated into film. Movies like “Gone with the Wind” and “The Wizard of Oz” are just two examples of how novels can become movies.”
Some students said they would like to find the time to read the book before seeing the movie but their schedules do not allow it.
“It is better to read the book so that you can form your own turnout of the story,” U of M alumnus Erik Watkins said. “Normally I wouldn’t pick up a book. I’m too busy.” he said.
However, for some students the film versions do not always portray the characters accurately. “Books are like, juicy,” biology major Shonda Arnold said. “They keep you (more) interested like ‘The Color Purple’ and ‘Disappearing Act.’”
Theron Britt, U of M English professor, said it is important to know and understand literature in order to translate it into film.
“I do prefer reading because it’s a rich experience but movies are very visually oriented.”
