Contrast Of Films And Literature Film Studies Essay

There are many things to be considered when comparing literature and film. Using the knowledge gained in class, the differences between literature and film will be explained with a focus on the film and literature of Oedipus Rex. This play makes you think and shows us how important the theater was and still is as a way of communicating a playwright’s ability to build something from the inside out. In addition, adapting literature to a film is a challenge for sure, and since the beginning, films have been considered the realm of the actors and the script itself. The process of characters construction, the techniques, the language, and the references are very important aspects to be considered while making films because after all they are based on the play itself, which the directors will reduce in size to fit in a time frame between one and three hours.

By looking and thinking critically, plays and films are dedicated to each other; films are just a new way of thinking. Many films were made based on books which were used to tell a story about something. For example, telling the reader or the viewer about the life of a person doomed to be destroyed by its own wrong doings; a kingdom whose people are suffering because of political arrogances due to family problems including a drunk king that cares about his own well-being; or a love story ending in tragedy dramatized by the separation of the two main characters. Of course there is more to these stories that films do not always depict, in some cases the literary text makes us think about morals, gives us advice, or poses questions about real life circumstances. Sometimes the film does not always portray this and a more in-depth analysis will be found by reading the actual play.

The video created in 1984, “Oedipus the King” with Michael Pennington, Claire Bloom and John Shrapnel, translated and directed by the late Don Taylor, can show the spectacular performances of all the actors, especially King Oedipus. The techniques used by the director draws attention, while the other elements used in the video including the sound, light, and fog direct you to another point of view and create the reality of the situation. The costumes were appropriate for the time period, except for the main character, Oedipus the King was dressed in a white suit while the others were dressed for the correct time period. Maybe this decision was made by the director to separate Oedipus from the rest of the actors, or it is possible it could be a mistake not realized until after the film was done. The film is fantastic but it cannot be, in any way, a replacement for the original play by Sophocles. (http://www.encyclopedia.com/video/OpqVmviDEvk-oedipus-king-part-212.aspx)

One of the differences among the film and the play is the approach for understanding. If people who has recently read the play and have been asked what the play intends to tell, it is possible to have some different answers, which will be in accordance with the concerns and priorities of each reader. Now, if a group of people was just done watching the video and have been asked the same questions, even after the film not being the same as the original script, the possibility of having the same answer is much more like because the film captures the viewers attention at the same time by all the effects used.

The version of “Oedipus the King” starring Christopher Plummer, made in 1967 by U.K production directed by Philip Saville, brought the story to life. In the beginning of the film we can see Oedipus as adult attacking his father on the wagon and killing him. This part is presented as slides of pictures to demonstrate how it began; each picture can be used as a flash back, as you watching the film, to explain a little more about the details and the use of images as an alternative from language used for plays. Sometimes people can lose interest reading the play, but with the growing fascination and effects of films it’s almost impossible to lose concentration in what is going on. (http://www.youtube.com/watch#!videos=atN3Ko8Ni3M&v=EUzr-48JIwM)

The Chorus in this video, with no doubts, calls the attention of the viewers and carries a very important part of the video. It symbolizes the people of Thebes and acts as a guide, directing our attention to the truth about what is going on. In addition, it acts as the voice of reason, when Oedipus does not. After each part, the chorus has a task which is to clarify and guide the audience to what is happening with more details, explanations and sometimes mediators. For example when Tiresias reveals Oedipus’ fate to the Chorus, the chorus remains inert:

“But that a mortal seer knows more than I know-where

Hath this been proven? Or how without sign assured, can I blame

Him who saved our State when the winged songstress came,

Tested and tried in the light of us all, like gold assayed?

How can I now assent when a crime is on Oedipus laid?”

(http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31/31-h/31-h.htm / (Ant. 2) after last words of Teiresias)

Most of the Greek plays written were done in very different society than the one we live in today and most of the time it was presented to one entire community in which were used to seeing and experiencing this kind of activity at that time. This is one of the main challenges in which directors face today to produce a film. The directors have to work not only with the spectacular mythical traditions of the play but they have to somehow combine the old tactics into a modern way to draw the attention of viewers. (http://wogone.com/iq/Sophocles_Oedipus_Rex_in_Modern_Film.pdf)

One of the differences between literature and the films are the interpretations. Most of the audiences today grown without the recognition of ancient literature and begin their journeys focusing directly to films. After learning that about the particular film they have watched was made from a play or a book, the viewers can become more interested to the subject and most of the times they find themselves reading the scripts.

In a dissertation undertaken as part of the requirements for the degree of B.A. joint honors in Classical Literature, Civilization and Russian Studies called “Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex in Modern Film” using the film done by Pier Pasolini, an Italian poet, intellectual, film director, writer and creator of Oedipus Rex filmed in the summer of 1967, N. Woodbridge from the University of Birmingham wrote:

“Another major choice facing the director is whether to produce modern tragedy in the medium of the theatre or of film. Theatre is often considered more conducive to Greek tragedy as it was the original medium used. Film can be thought to be incompatible with Greek tragedy as there are obvious difficulties in transferring plays which have existed for 2500 years into a medium that has only existed in the last century.”

(http://wogone.com/iq/Sophocles_Oedipus_Rex_in_Modern_Film.pdf / line 31)

In this work Pasolini had a true vision based on the original work of Sophocles. The movie adaptation is considered by many to be a frustrating and boring film while others classify as a beautiful work. Many also felt that the double period of time was a bit confusing, modern at the beginning and end of the film and basically ancient in the middle. However, Pasolini used a chronological order showing the full circle of his work. In addition, his work was very close to the original work of Sophocles, it shows that the life of Oedipus was predetermined and governed by his fate. The dedication and talent of Pasolini and his production team were the main input responsible for the perfect adaptation of this famous tragedy into film version.

The tragedy of Oedipus, whether written or in film, shows the values given by the Greek tradition. Reading or watching people somehow sympathize with Oedipus, crying to his tragic fate and at the same time purifying the emotions of the readers and viewers. The tragic error of Oedipus was his pride and arrogance to his indestructibility. People also can feel suspense and fear because the reader knows what will happen to Oedipus in the end. The perfect demonstration of how life can change and show a person cannot, in any way, diverts its fate. Sophocles used a combination of special intelligence and creativity by mixing mythology and tragedy into this perfect play. Without a doubt, all tragedies created by Sophocles are considered exceptional for its quality of work and its power, bringing more attention into our new generation.