Stanley Kubrick and the Art of Adaptation: Three Novels, Three Films
Editorial Reviews
From Independent Publisher
How often have we said that we loved the movie but hated the book, or vice-versa? Adapting a novel for the screen has always been a tricky process and one that can result in a film's success or failure. There are few filmmakers who have had as much of a hands-on approach to adaptation as auteur Stanley Kubrick. Greg Jenkins's thorough and highly readable analysis of several Kubrick films and the original works on which they're based is both an exploration of the process and its end result. Jenkins chose Kubrick for several reasons. He is an eminently successful director-screenwriter whose oeuvre holds great critical and pop culture interest. Kubrick adapted 10 of his 12 commercial films (as of 1993) and has been vocal in his views on adaptive art, and finally, his ability to "control and safeguard his projects is exceptional among directors." The films "Lolita," "The Shining" and "Full Metal Jacket" are explored here and represent an eclectic slate of work by Kubrick matched only by the diversity of the original authors -- Vladimir Nabakov, Stephen King and Gustav Hasford, respectively. The book begins with a primer on adaptation and its journalistic, scholarly and practical consideration, followed by Kubrick's positions and approach and method. Having established those grounds, Jenkins moves onto the three films, simultaneously and seamlessly comparing the book and the film chronologically. Through this method, we have a no-stone-unturned look at how Kubrick has crafted his films and why he has made certain choices in story telling. Highly recommended for film aficionados and those who admire the work of this great cinematic master.
Choice
"Tightly focused…thorough, careful comparisons"
Stanley Kubrick and the Art of Adaptation: Three Novels, Three Films
Stanley Kubrick and the Art of Adaptation: Three Novels, Three Films,Greg Jenkins,McFarland & Company,0786402814,1899-1977,Cinema/Film: Book,Criticism and interpretation,Film & Video - General,Film & Video - History & Criticism,Film adaptations,Film and video adaptations,Individual Directors And Producers,Kubrick, Stanley,Nabokov, Vladimir Vladimirovic,Nabokov, Vladimir Vladimirovich,,Performing Arts,Pop Arts / Pop Culture,Hasford, Gustav,King, Stephen,Nabokov, Vladimir Vladimirovich
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