MovieChat Forums > The Dark Tower (2017) Discussion > Book(s) vs. Movie(s) - Complete w/ Spoil...

Book(s) vs. Movie(s) - Complete w/ Spoilers!

posted 8 years ago by joannatn
14 replies | jump to latest

Spoilers will be ahead! You have been warned!

Okay, first off I apologize if this sounds exactly like one of my previous posts, but I've been thinking about this a lot and I'm curious what other people think.

Now, I'm on Waste Lands and I've been really happy to get back to one of my favorite literary ka-tets (because, c'mon now, the Fellowship and Harry/Ron/Hermione have to rank up there, too). I had almost forgotten just how much I love Eddie, and at this point Jake is still stuck in NY and I haven't even gotten to Oy! I haven't forgotten how when they're all together, magic happens... But it occurred to me reading the other night... I'm in for some crushing blows later!

I've been saying I read the books twice, but I realized that's only a half-truth; entirely inadvertent, I assure you! See, Wolves of the Calla had come out during my pregnancy, and since it had been so (so so so so so so) long between W&G and WotC, I decided to reread the series to that pointagain. So the reason I feel like I barely know the latter half of the story is because I only read it once during a very hectic time in my life. I know kind of what will happen, but do I remember the painful details of Roland's dwindling ka-tet and the zany adventures up to those points? Er, not so much. Which brings me to the question/discussion part!

I believe this is about Roland's redemption. Some people are totally on board that train with me, others not so much. My question is, if you're on board a different train, what does yours look like? Whichever train you are on, what do you hope will have changed from the books to the movies? Hell, even if your hopes are, "I hope it's exactly the same as the books except Roland has a broken horn attached to his belt," then go for it! We're not all going to get exactly what we want (my Christmas wish is entirely unlikely), but I'd like to see what you'd like. My ideal would be to see the entire ka-tet to reach the Dark Tower together, Roland having found a way to achieve his goal without the collateral damage, but even I know that such an outcome may even be beyond the Tower's scope of possibilities. Still... here's hope!

[–] jerryhammond38 8 years ago

I think it is his redemption story, but I also expect some losses along the way. The other earth reunion of Jake, Eddie, and Susannah was actually perfect for me.

As long as we get at least 3 reasonably great movies, the rest can be a surprise.

[–] MadSimian 8 years ago

I have a feeling that they'll have someone else make it to the Tower as this time around Roland will have sacrificed himself so that at least one of the others can make it(although Jake would be the most likely survivor imo). It's the perfect redemption arc for him as he's spent who knows how many time loops(of which we've only witnessed one) in his pursuit of the Tower, sacrificing ally and enemy alike to insure that he succeeds.

Living is easy with eyes closed
Misunderstanding all you see

[–] ButcherOfTull 8 years ago

I hope Roland does not lose his fingers on the beach. Maybe Jake will be with him this time to kick some Lobstibsite butt! Darn I hate them so much. Dad-a-chum lol. So frankly the biggest think I want is Roland to be the Hero I'v always wanted him to be. So I hope he saves Jake this time. That would hit me in the feels. It would be progress for him:)

[–] perceiveclothing 8 years ago

I had the same thought myself... Gives me goosebumps! I think that's how it needs to be done. Roland renounces the Tower but his legacy carries on.

[–] MadSimian 8 years ago

I don't think he'll "renounce the Tower" so much as Roland will come to the realization that it's not about who saves the Tower as long as the Tower is saved.

Living is easy with eyes closed
Misunderstanding all you see

[–] StormBringer328 8 years ago

I love your posts, joanna! I don't care if it's similar; if you have a thought to share that stimulates discussion, don't hesitate.

On to your post... Hmmm... I'm like you in that I've reread the first several books, but the last couple I'm not as fresh on. As you know, I'm also rereading, but I've had to put my book down a few days so I'm behind (still on DotT, Odetta/Detta just tried to kill Eddie, but he and Roland have restrained her). Anyway...

I'm of the opinion that the movie will play the Roland's Redemption angle even more. I think the Ka-Tet will remain (mostly) intact to the end. I can see Eddie dying before they reach the tower, which will drive the others closer together. I think Roland will suffer some grievous wound as they reach the Tower and Jake will be the one to finish things this time and complete Roland's quest. Roland will fade just as he does so...

Something like that, anyway. I do think the movie, as a sequel, will complete Roland's loop. It wouldn't be right for him not to live to see it finished, so he'll last that long. Not sure how things will go for Eddie and Odetta/etc.

[–] joannatn 8 years ago

Thanks for the replies, guys!

WOW! A lot up there to think about. I thought it was a VERY interesting angle to consider; Roland saving the universe via a proxy, I mean! That it wasn't his to reach the tower, but it was his to make sure someone else does! Yep, mind blown.

Now for my problem with it: That's Roland's entire story. His life, his soul, his meaning is about reaching that tower. However, it's at the expense of others. Perhaps he can't find any type of peace (or redemption, if you will) until he lets it go.

I loved how it ended for Eddie, Suze, Jake and (maybe) Oy. I love a universe where they can live a normal, happily ever after life together. I'm just hoping there's a universe where Roland is there as a friend, neighbor, mentor, or better yet, father.

Wow, I am so way ahead of myself, lol.

Looks like I zipped a bit past ya, Stormy. I already got Jake, ha ha ha! And thanks for the compliment. You're no slouch yourself!

[–] MadSimian 8 years ago

That's just it, Joanna. We know for a fact that Roland can reach the Tower as he's done so who knows how many times. Yet, each time, he has to start over and do things a little differently until he gets it "right". And, the thing about that is, he won't be "right" until he is proactively more worried about his loved ones around him than the Tower; not that that means he's not worried about the Tower too just that it shouldn't be his personal top priority. After all, what's the point of saving the world if you sell your soul to do so. ;)

Living is easy with eyes closed
Misunderstanding all you see

[–] Sawyer_Lost 8 years ago

I would strongly recommend listening to this weeks "Dark Tower Palaver" Podcast (Round Table #22). The two hosts ramble about this very topic for at least half an hour in the second half of the podcast. I think it was highly interesting.

Books are a uniquely portable magic. ~Stephen King

[–] joannatn 8 years ago

I haven't had a chance to listen in on the podcasts. I really should. I still find it odd that they think Eddie will be zapped to our modern day timeline... I'd have thought they'd just keep him in the 80's. I didn't realized that Jake was from the 70's so I had his and Eddie's eras mismatched. But in order to preserve Susannah's story, they'd have to keep her from the 60's, so to me it just makes sense to pull each of the three from 3 consecutive decades (not that I think the Tower gives a darn about such things).

And I've said the same thing, Mojo (sorry - JoJo is my moniker!); a world that you have to sell your soul in order to save isn't worth saving at all. Now we just have to see if we're right. It was a good point you made about Roland having already made it to the tower again and again. Obviously that isn't enough on its own.

[–] Captain_Wesker 8 years ago

Hey, Sawyer! For some reason, your avatar makes me think of the following song -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9gKyRmic20.

---
It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing .

[–] Sawyer_Lost 8 years ago

Ha! I was almost positive it was gonna be "Everybody Knows" by Leonard Cohen. That's funny though, this is one of the 40 or so songs that I currently have in my iphone library... :-) It was used in the 4-part "The Stand" adaptation.

Books are a uniquely portable magic. ~Stephen King

[–] tylerrepotter 8 years ago

An Iphone? I never would have guessed. Lmfao. Can't wait for this film to be available on Itunes, eh Cuck?

[–] joannatn 8 years ago

Hey, Ty.

Can you do me a favor, bud? This strand was going very well and I'm sure you know this about me by now, but I really would much prefer for my strands to be kept copacetic. I can't force you to be nice, nor can I force you to listen, but I will request that on my strands at least, can you either contribute to the topic, be unaggressive, or at the very least, not post at all if you have nothing to offer to the topic?

I will likewise ask Sawyer to just ignore the above. I really would like to keep my strands safe places. I'd consider it a personal favor.

Thanks, gents!