TV Dramas Based on Novels

[Deleted member 95743]

Why is it that when a scriptwriter decides to dramatise a novel they always think that they can do a better job of telling the story than the original author. Not only do they rewrite the dialogue but they also completely change the narrative as well. A prime example of this is The Gallows Pole by Benjamin Myers. The novel is based on the true events of the Cragg Vale Coiners who were so prolific at clipping coins they almost bankrupted England.

However the TV series has absolutely nothing in common with the novel other than the title. The script is dire, tedious and longwinded; the dialogue is dire; the acting is dire. Ninety-nine percent of what happens in the TV series does NOT happen in the novel.

 

[gjhill]

Tried to watch the first episode but found it totally incomprehensible, apparently it’s not all scripted, the actors are allowed to improvise and boy does it show
Won’t be watching any more
it would also put me off trying to read the original no matter how good it was

 

[Dave Canon]

Not seen the series you mention but disagree with you findings be applied more generally. One of the best series for me was Shogun. While the Novel by James Clavell is excellent, the scriptwriter was told to write the script for a ten hour mini-series but it is a huge book. It could not be done and the complete book would have taken 30 hours. The hero John Blackthorne is initially captured by the Samurai but gradually wins favour as he learns Japanese culture and becomes a Samurai himself. This long story has a lots of background as the Japanese characters discuss tactics and politics etc. The scriptwriter cleverly just told the story from Blackthorne's viewpoint thus removing much of the background but non-essential material. For the first part Blackthorne has no idea what is happening as he speaks no Japanese. This actually makes the flow more realistic and cut the programme to 12 hours which the producer accepted. So this results in a superb mini series and the book is also great to obtain further detail and subtlety. I suspect generally script writers do a good job within serious constraints. There is also room for the actors to contribute to the whole production. I recall an interview with Anthony Horowitz about Foyle's War. Anthony wrote the story and the script and could not change much as his wife was the producer. At one point Michael kitchen suggest removing some lines, and Antony said but how will we get that message across. Michael Kitchen said I can do all of that with facial expressions and he did.

Dave

 

[Mr Bump]

foundation

 

[Gremlin]

Shetland, based on the books by Anne Cleeves, loved the books but the series was nothing like the original stories.
First things I noticed was the lead character, Jimmy Perez, in the the books is small and dark haired due to his possible spannish ancestor, as far from Douglas Henshall as you could get

 

[onomatopoeia]

As someone that loves the novels of Jane Austen, which are frequently adapted for TV, I know what a mixed bag you end up with. Sometimes you get the excellent (the Firth / Ehle Pride and Prejudice or the Hinds / Root Persuasion) and sometimes you get the "what were they thinking?" (the Hawkins / Penry-Jones Persiasion with Anne doing the Bath half-marathon in the final act).

Consequently I always approach TV adaptations of fiction I love with considerable trepidation. One recent very good example was "The Sandman" on Netflix, adapted from a series of comics written by Neil Gaiman.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

Shetland, based on the books by Anne Cleeves, loved the books but the series was nothing like the origian stories.

I've tried a few Anne Cleeves books and none of them interested me enough to bother reading past the first couple of chapters.

The TV adaptions of "Vera" and "Shetland", on the other hand, engaged me every time. My wife, who generally has quite different tastes, agrees with me in this one case.

 

[Gremlin]

I've tried a few Anne Cleeves books and none of them interested me enough to bother reading past the first couple of chapters.

The TV adaptions of "Vera" and "Shetland", on the other hand, engaged me every time. My wife, who generally has quite different tastes, agrees with me in this one case.

Never really got into Vera so no idea how that compares book to TV so can't comment on that

 

[hunnymonster]

Any Vera fans - her "house" is on Holy Island at The Snook. Not particularly exciting in my mind and not much to commend it photographically but YMMV

 

[Nod]

Never really got into Vera so no idea how that compares book to TV so can't comment on that

Not really watched an episode properly but have enjoyed the books. Did see enough of what I did watch to put the faces into the pages!