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Differences Between The Novel And The Movie

posted 10 years ago by joeparkson
3 replies | jump to latest

The movie is a masterpiece in every way; the novel is good but explains too much.
The relationships between Shane and the Starretts is spelled out more clearly in the novel, but I think leaving it unsaid as it is in the movie is better. In the novel, there are no PTSD scenes where Shane jumps at sudden noises; I think those were thrown in by George Stevens who served in WWII making documentaries.
I think Stevens must have changed the cattleman' s name from Fletcher to Riker to make it more Germanic. Inexplicably, the Starretts males were Bob and Bobby in the novel, and were renamed Joe and Joey for the movie.

Soy 'un hijo de la playa'

[–] Samoan Bob 10 years ago

Also, Shane's wardrobe in the book is more like Jack Palance's in the movie (he doesn't wear buckskins in the book).

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[–] jofus224 10 years ago

I believe that in the novel, Shane recommends Chris Calloway, the first of Ryker's men he fights in the bar, for a job at the Starrett's.

"Leave the gun, take the cannoli"

[–] afredfan 10 years ago

I think in the novel Starrett worked for Riker before he took a claim.