The most unsuccessful film adaptations of works of classical literature

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

The works of the classics of world literature always attract the attention of directors. Some films become real masterpieces of cinema, but there are often cases when a film based on a book disappoints the viewer. Along with successful films, there are too often film adaptations, where the director's vision spoils the whole impression of reading the work itself.

War and Peace, directed by King Vidor, 1956

The director, who shot "War and Peace" in 1956 from the work of Leo Tolstoy, left only the name and the names of the heroes. Everything else is actually a director's flight of fantasy. Audrey Hepburn, who played Natasha Rostova, according to the audience, could not fully convey the character and manners of the heroine Leo Tolstoy, despite the external similarity of the images.

The deeply philosophical work of Leo Tolstoy, embodied by King Vidor, turned into a romantic tale about a flirtatious girl unsuccessfully trying to sort out her feelings. In general, the plot of "War and Peace" in this film adaptation is very difficult to guess, and the whole action is not dynamic, making the audience frankly bored.

War and Peace, directed by Tom Harper, 2016

Even more bewilderment of the viewer was caused by the mini-series "War and Peace" by the young British director. It is hard to imagine that at the beginning of the 19th century, young ladies in Russia behaved as frivolously as in the series. And even more incomprehensible is the bed scene of Helen with her brother, Anatol Kuragin.

At the same time, the key scenes of Leo Tolstoy's novel are either completely left off-screen or shown schematically: the revelations of Natasha Rostova, the thoughts of Andrei Bolkonsky. The focus is not on philosophy, but on the relationship between men and women. At the same time, even in relations, a very free interpretation of the classic was allowed.

Anna Karenina, directed by Joe Wright, 2012

Another adaptation of the work of the great Russian writer turned out to be completely unsuccessful. Perhaps the reason lies in a simple misunderstanding of that very mysterious Russian soul. However, those viewers who were familiar with the novel "Anna Karenina" are able to notice the complete discrepancy between the characters and the reasons for certain actions of the heroes.

Despite the fact that the film was shot really beautifully, very little remains of the work itself. The main character, played by Keira Knightley, causes particular bewilderment. The scenes where Anna Karenina sparkles with naked parts of the body look very controversial, especially since outwardly the actress, in comparison with the heroine of Leo Tolstoy, looks extremely emaciated.

The Portrait of Dorian Gray, directed by Oliver Parker, 2009

In the interpretation of the English director and actor, "The Picture of Dorian Gray" turns out to be nothing more than a mystical thriller. However, the main character of Oscar Wilde also becomes a very vicious person on the screen, whose whole purpose of existence is reduced to satisfying his base instincts.

In the original, Oscar Wilde did not seek to present his character as an ideal personality, but he is hardly alike to a dissolute young man with a penchant for perversion. Viewers note, to put it mildly, the inconsistency of the film adaptation with the atmosphere and problems of the novel by the English writer.

"Viy", directed by Oleg Stepchenko, 2014

The film, which was filmed from 2005 to 2014, was declared almost like a masterpiece of cinematography. In fact, the audience was able to fully appreciate the special effects, costumes and scenery. But there are very few coincidences with the plot of Gogol's "Viy". Even the scene of the action is a village not in the steppe, so colorfully described by the writer, but in dense forests.

However, sometimes the heroes delight the viewer with texts close to the original. But the most important thing is missing in the film - that very amazing atmosphere of the work of the great Gogol. But there are completely incomprehensible heroes, about whom there is no talk in the story itself.

The Great Gatsby, directed by Baz Luhrmann, 2013

This director has long been known for his postmodern take on world classics. So in the case of the film adaptation of the novel by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, obvious bewilderment is caused by an incredible mixture of styles and eras. The film is set in the 1920s, but the musical accompaniment of the film is almost entirely modern electronic. This creates a clear dissonance.

Bright and festive scenes in the picture are reflected very convincingly, however, in each dramatic frame one can feel the falsity and flaw. Even the death of the Great Gatsby is reminiscent of melodrama.

Nevertheless, the film was awarded two Oscars for costumes and scenery, and the protracted plot and the mixing of music from different centuries, in the end, can be attributed to an individual director's style. However, literary experts advise you to read The Great Gatsby, and not look at him performed by Leonardo DiCaprio.

Books are not only a source of wisdom, but often inspire creative people to create fascinating films and TV series based on them. Autumn 2018 turned out to be rich in novelties of serial films based on books. At the same time, directors and screenwriters took into work not only works of classical literature and detective stories.