Blog 1 Baskervilles

Many people say that movie adaptations do not represent the novel, because they are not authentic. This argument is very valid, since it is a very common situation were novels and adaptations do not have anything in common. An adaptation should capture all the details a reader can infer or imagine while reading the novel. This means demonstrating the correct details in the characters, setting, mood and in the sense of the movie.

There are many different adaptations on The Hound of the Baskervilles. The adaptations I am blogging about were produced in 1983 and 1939. This particular adaptation produced in 1983 surprises the viewer in a positive manner, since it is the opposite of what it seems at the beginning. If you have read the novel you know that it seems impossible to represent it as a movie. Well, in this case, they did it and were very prosperous. Watching this adaptation is actually more of a relief, because it shows that adaptations can really serve their purpose and deliver a nice experience. It really follows the novel more accurately than the 1939 adaptation.

The music usage in specific scenes of the 1983 adaptation really excel the taste of the situation. It is incredible how music and special sounds are able to enhance the movie. The sound effects helps understand what is happening and even feel as if you are part of the movie. In the other hand, the 1939 adaptation lacks in this aspect and you can notice it in scenes such as when the hound is attacking Henry. Some scenes feel empty as if something is missing. Everyone can relate to movies that have horrible sound effects and that simple fact is enough to make it a failure.

As a person reads a novel they imagine a specific image about a character. Many time the adaptation shows the total opposite image or personalities about a character and that is a very important thing they both should have in common. In this adaptation of 1983 each character has his own peculiar trait that really assembles the individual. In this case, Sherlock Holmes, who is one of the main characters of the movie is represented exactly as many could have imagined him to be. This includes Holmes authority when speaking, his demeanor with other people and his knowledge about investigating technics. His example goes along with the representation of all the characters in the movie. It absolutely represents a wonderful construction of a movie. In this case the tone of each of the characters voice is very important and sends a very deep impact on the viewers perception about what is happening. The 1939 film’s character presentation is very different to the 1983 movie. It is appreciated in the character of Stapleton, were they have a big age discrepancy between both adaptations. At the same time Holmes is presented with descent qualities, but physically he is not what viewers expect. 

Another important aspect is the creation of the settings. You need to create a visual creation of what people imagine when reading the novel. I am sure no one wants to see a sad and boring movie plot setting. It is a very disappointing situation that changes the entire image of the movie. In this 1983 adaptation the use of special lighting and effects on the “weather” deeply enhance the appreciation of what is going on at any given point. You have no room for getting bored with this adaptation, since there are a lot of sounds and lighting spontaneous effects that keep you attached to it. In the other hand, the 1939 adaptation is more of an old fashioned production without these enhancements, which make the movie less entertaining. Although it still demonstrate sufficient details to set a peculiar setting.

The 1939 adaptation is a well constructed movie, but the adaptation of 1983 does  a better job in maintaining their authenticity to the novel. For a person who has not even read the novel, they can easily watch either of the movies and understand the entire plot without any issue. Even the script of the movie is very similar to the novel. As the 1983 movie particularly goes along, you can feel exactly as reading the novel, it almost feels as a filmed copy of the novel. I cannot think about a single detail that was lost when converting the novel into the adaptation, this means that everything is captured in the hour and a half duration of the adaptation.