Disney vs the original source

Postby **calisota** » Sun Apr 16, 2006 3:48 pm

Discussing the merits of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in another thread made we wonder about the cartoons versus their original sources.

I'm certainly not going to defend the "Disneyfying" of classic literature but I wonder how many people may have been inspired to seek out an original work after having seen the Disney cartoon. It's kind of like wondering how many people took up the study of archaeology after seeing Indiana Jones at the movies.

I'm also interested in your thoughts on the best and the worst Disney adaptations of other sources.

Greg

Postby **mushu mama** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:41 am

I'm certainly not going to defend the "Disneyfying" of classic literature

Greg

Actually, the 'Disneyfying' of the classics is what appeals to me. My favourite version of the classics has turned out to be Beauty and the Beast. I found many variants but my favourite was this one that I remember reading when I was little..
http://pitt.edu/~dash/beauty.html

I also thought Disney's Mulan was also comparetively faithful to the original ledgend. I love this movie, not just for the story but also for the 'scenery' and the beautiful song - Reflections. I guess if they hadn't been Disneyfied, I probably wouldn't have given either tale a second look.

- Lisa.

Postby **KeithS** » Tue Apr 25, 2006 10:32 am

I was never a classic 'fairy tale' or literature reader - even when I was a kid. So from my point of view - the Disney version is the version as far as I am concerned.

I grew up on Dr Seuss books (when I was little) and graduated to The Hardy Boys, and then straight to adult adventure books (The Guns of Navarone, and other war stories like that - and of course The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings) so I missed the whole classic literature genre that was the basis of so many Disney movies.

And funnily enough, I've never felt the need to go and read them - unlike lots of other movies which inspired me to read the books. I'm sure I'm missing out on many great stories.

Postby **calisota** » Sat May 06, 2006 2:55 pm

I'm actually reading "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" at the moment. I haven't read it in more years than I care to admit (okay, probably close to 35) but I dug it out the other day when I was looking for something new after finishing a John Grisham.

It's surprisingly shorter than I remember and much simpler. There's 7 books in the series (who can say Harry Potter like sequels) and I'm half way through this first one and unsure how he's going to fit everything that happened in the movie into the remaining pages. Lord of the Rings it 'aint.

Greg

Postby **KeithS** » Sun May 07, 2006 2:59 pm

I borrowed the Chronicles of Narnia from my local library when I was in year 7 at High School (1983) and had really enjoyed the scope of these novels - it spurred me on to The Lord of the Rings and countless other fantasy authors.

Then, about 3 years ago, I thought I'd like to re-read them and I bought a single volume of the Complete Chronicles. My reaction when I read it was exactly the same as yours Greg, it seemed a lot shorter and simpler than when I first read them.

I actually felt a little disappointed when re-reading this series, because I had really enjoyed it when I was 13 - and that was the memory I had of the series, now I feel a little less warmth towards the books (maybe I've been spoiled by so many other great fantasy epics since). It is still a good series and the movie was good too, but some of the magic has been lost by re-reading them as an adult (something that didn't happen by re-reading The Lord of the Rings - many times)

Still I look forward to the Prince Caspian movie which is now in production, and Voyage of the Dawn Treader (probably my favourite in the series.)

Postby **calisota** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:00 pm

I finished TLtWatW last night and will be starting on the rest of the series. I really can't remember if I've ever read any more than that first one or not so it will be new territory.

I also downloaded the ebook of King Solomon's Mines the other day after watching the DVD The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (which I wouldn't recommend) starring Sean Connery as Alan Quatermain. I've always liked the Stewart Granger/Deborah Kerr movie, not the Richard Chamberlain/Sharon Stone one.

Greg

Postby **KeithS** » Wed May 10, 2006 9:26 pm

I'm with you with The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. It was a great disappointment given SC was the star - the whole movie was spoiled by amatuerish special effects and a terrible - terrible story!

You can give me Lara Croft any day for b-grade adventure!

Postby **calisota** » Thu May 11, 2006 5:43 am

You can give me Lara Croft any day for b-grade adventure!

You can just give me Lara Croft any day!

Greg

Postby **KeithS** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:46 pm

Yeah, I love the Lara films! I wasn't a fan of the games but the movies are good fun (switch off my brain, sit back and enjoy)

Did you see Nicholas Cage in National Treasure (wow - a Disney movie, I'm trying to get back on topic!) - I really enjoyed that film. Fast paced, good action and an interesting story and treasure hunt (I suppose it is a bit like The Da Vinci Code without the religious undercurrent - just a great treasure hunt and mystery, with a hint of historical accuracy) I learned all my American Independence history from that movie!

Postby **mushu mama** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:36 pm

Did you see Nicholas Cage in National Treasure

Love that movie......
- Lisa.

Postby **calisota** » Fri May 12, 2006 5:10 am

Love that movie......

So do I, it's just my sort of cross between fantasy, action and history.

Greg

Postby **KeithS** » Sun May 21, 2006 12:51 am

...and of course, Pirates of the Caribbean is based on original source material (although not a book of course!)

I haven't watched it in ages - I think I'll have to dig it out again before the new movie arrives. It has some brilliant dialogue - great one liners (mainly from Capt Jack!)

Postby **mushu mama** » Mon May 22, 2006 9:47 pm

...and of course, Pirates of the Caribbean is based on original source material (although not a book of course!)

I didn't know that, I just thought it was about the ride at Disneyland. What 'source material' did they use?

I watch 'Pirates' often(rather watch a movie than TV) - but that may have more to do with Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom ( or even better - as a blonde Legolas) than anything else.

~Lisa

Postby **KeithS** » Tue May 23, 2006 9:44 pm

Ah, sorry Lisa, I was a little ambiguous - the original source I was referring to was the ride

Postby **mushu mama** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:55 am

#-o D'oh

Even us brunettes have our blonde moments it seems

Lisa

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Disney vs the original source

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