Ursina's Shelf - Great pairings
Issue 24
Dear Readers,
Do you ever worry that there is no way a movie will be as good as the book? I often feel this way and elect not to watch a movie so that I can preserve my own vivid imagination of a story and its characters and setting. Today, I would like to present three pairings of books and movies/series that run counter to this trepidation and where I would specifically recommend experiencing both because they complement each other so well.
From the page to the screen
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad (1899) and Apocalypse Now (1979)
Description: The classic (and short) novella is written as a first-hand recounting by the leader of a European crew travelling up the Congo River to a remote outer station captained by Kurtz, who has established himself as part leader and part deity among the locals and is regarded as either a genius or lunatic. For the movie produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, writer John Millius changes the setting from colonial Congo to the Vietnam War with captain Willard sent up the Nung River to assassinate the renegade Colonel Kurtz.
My take: I came across this combination in my freshman year writing seminar, a class Aishwarya recommended to me. While I struggled a bit with the classic novel, my mind was absolutely blown, when putting the two works of art next to each other. The difference in setting, details, and medium are pure genius when regarded together with the similarity in plot. Hands-down one of my favorite discoveries in college.
Bonus fact: While researching this newsletter, I discovered that Coppola was originally only slated as producer with George Lucas planned as director.
Der Nasse Fisch by Volcker Kutscher (2008) and Babylon Berlin (2017 - present)
Description: Der Nasse Fisch (translated into English in 2018 under the title Babylon Berlin) follows detective Gereon Rath as he solves crimes in his new hometown Berlin in 1929 with all the glitz of the roaring 20s and festering political tensions of the Weimar Republic. Seasons 1 and 2 of the series Babylon Berlin creatively expand and adapt the story, portraying a lively Berlin full of sex, crime, and politics.
My take: I watched the show first and am not surprised by its 96% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It is beautifully made, combining visual and audio treats with strong characters and a binge-worthy plot. All the while, any viewer is on edge knowing what the characters will face in Berlin and Germany in subsequent years. This historical development and backdrop is what make Kutscher's series of eight books, each set about a year apart so fascinating.
Bonus fact: While season 3 corresponds to Book 2, the stories diverge so much that—Spoiler Alert—even the murderer is different! Filming on season 4 has started and I cannot wait.
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J. R. R. Tolkien (1937) and The Hobbit film series (2012, 2013, and 2014)
Description: This well-known story is a fantastical tale following the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and his friends across Middle-earth to find a treasure guarded by a dragon, encountering mystical beings and fairytale settings along the way. The film greatly expands on the original material and borrows characters and plot lines from the appendices of Tolkien’s The Return of the King.
My take: I loved this story when I first read it at Deanna's recommendation and while I saw all of the Lord of the Rings movies in cinema (after finishing the books, of course), I wanted to keep my imagination of The Hobbit pristine, refusing to watch the movies in fear of tainting my memories. Dominic finally convinced me last year and wow! I admire how Peter Jackson and his team took the story and made such an entertaining trilogy. I especially enjoyed the added plot elements and addition of both beloved and new characters. The special effects as always with Jackson are top-notch.
What is your favorite book and movie/series combo? Send me your recommendations to ursinab@gmail.com.
Currently reading: Lunapark by Volcker Kutscher, the sixth book in the Gereon Rath series, set in 1934 Berlin.
As always thank you for reading. If you have a friend or colleague who might enjoy this newsletter, please forward it and encourage them to sign up. Have a lovely weekend!