.....than a version made at the height of the Hollywood studio system.
Please people, if you love the book, skip this version and go for the 1946 version, which is remarkeably faithfull to the book. (It only leaves out things that would've been censored in the day, but it doesn't change anything.)
I had read that the filmmakers considered moving the storyline to the 1960's and replacing the WWI scenes with Vietnam (was that in the Bill Murray interview from Rolling Stone?).
I've read the novel but I loved all the changes for the 1984 film. A straight retelling would've been a lot less interesting, I think.
Jrkestner, have you seen the Tyrone Power version from the 40's? That's a straight retelling of the book (about 95% of the book) and I thought it was still very interesting.
shareNo, I haven't seen the Tyrone Power version. No real reason. Just haven't caught it yet.
Because I know of the Power version--that there is already a "straight retelling" of the novel--I think that's even more reason for the 1984 version to develop into its own identity.
One of my favorite scenes in the Bill Murray version wasn't in the novel: Larry, finally reaching the top of the snowy mountain, sits in the holy place and reads his books, patiently waiting for his spiritual awakening/awareness/whatever-zap-he-was-expecting. When it doesn't come, he ends up burning his books to keep warm.
This leads to his return to his life with other people. "It's easy to be a holy man sitting on top of a mountain," he told the monks before leaving.
(By saying that, you might think I'm dismissing religion/spirituality but I'm not. Actually, I'm a Christian. But what I loved about this part of the story was how Larry realized that life had more meaning by being there for others rather than shutting himself off from the world. He ended up "being there" for Gray and certainly tried with Sophie. I don't know if that was what the filmmakers really meant...but that's what I admired about it).
Sorry for running on. This is one of my favorite films.
Well, give the Tyrone Power version a chance someday, I think you might like it. Especially if you are also a fan of the book, as it is much more faithful thatn the Murray version.
shareThanks, I will.
shareI have read the book. I have seen both versions of this film - there are things that I like about all three. Don't get caught in the trap of pitting one thing against the other...Larry wouldn't like that; in fact, Larry would say seek out all three and learn from them all!
By the way I personally like the Tyrone Power's version as the best movie; but I do like the Bill Murray re-interpretation, he had some interesting sublte twists that enhance his movie.
Good point!!!!
"I'd take the awe of understanding over the awe of ignorance any day." -Douglas Noel Adams
I think that's definately true. Look at the other movies made at the time (A Little Princess has never been the same since Shirley Temple screwed it up!) I haven't finished reading The Razor's Edge yet, but I was amazed at how closely the 40s version was. My estimate of this movie has dropped a little since I started reading the book, but at the same time, I think this adds a little more depth of understanding to the book (like the whole Sophie story). But I am starting to think they kind of missed the whole point with focusing so much on poor, tragic Sophie and so little on the wonderful Uncle Elliot.
Maybe I should finish this response after I've finished the book :)
I don't care about money. I just want to be wonderful. - Marilyn Monroe