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Film vs. Literature: Which is Better?
A look at the differences between movies and books and how they each have their advantages.
Lovers of literature are endlessly debating the question, which is better, film or literature? The most common answer from a reader is definitely literature. If you ask the same question of a movie buff, the answer will be film. In reality, the answer is really both. It is a matter of perception and both positive and negative qualities can be attributed to both.
When pondering which is better, film or literature, there are two key differences between them that come to mind. The first and possibly the most important is content. What can we get out of the story in a film as opposed to a novel and vice-versa? In this, which is better really depends on how you like your entertainment delivered.
A novel typically gives much more detail to the story than a film with the same plot. Characters in novels tend to be more rich and have much more of a history than those portrayed in films. There is also the fact that most novels are lengthier and more occurs in them than in their big screen counterparts. For example, any reader of Stephen King could watch any of the movies based on his novels and point out at least one scene that was in the book that didn’t make it into the film. If you are a person who likes a lot of depth to the plot and characters of stories, then it is likely that you prefer novels to films.
On the other hand, films are short and to the point regarding both the plot and characters. The audience usually gets a quick snippet of a back story for each key character and then the plot plays itself out before your eyes, leaving little to interpretation. When a film is made, a lot of compromises to a story have to be made to fit a time allotment (in most cases), therefore, only the key points of the plot have time to be played out. Some people prefer their entertainment to be short and sweet in this way.
The other key difference between film and literature is delivery. When you read a novel, much is left to your imagination. People and settings are what you imagine them to be. Each and every person “sees” something unique to their imagination when they read a novel. There is also much more time that goes into reading a novel as opposed to watching a film. When you have that much time to ponder a story, it can take on much more meaning.
Watching a film can almost be considered the opposite of reading a novel in this respect. A film gives you all of the “pictures” your mind needs to follow the plot and relate to the characters. This makes it easier to digest a story quickly and effectively without having to spend hours reading a novel. You also get visual stimulation out of this form of entertainment, which can be better than reading a novel, in some respects.
Both film and literature have their advantages and their disadvantages. Which of the two is preferable really depends on the individual. Many people enjoy both, while some would choose one over the other. For myself, it depends on the story being told. There is some literature that cannot be retold effectively on film. There are also some films that just wouldn’t be the same on paper.
20 Comments
I agree it depends on the story. Great Article.
I just put it this way, if the electricity failed…it’s time to pick up the book : )
I like how you describe the two. I love to read. It does the mind good to try to imagine the scene. Sometime I’ll read a book and watch the movie of it and it has a different ending. I don’t like that part. Well written. I enjoyed it very much.
Yeh I agree, i’ve enjoyed many films based on books, can’t expect them to fit it all in.
Not all films are based on books. Almost none are based on lap dancing.
I enjoyed film based on books,but oftentimes i keep on comparing which one is better. and the better ones are in written words.
Some films are very direct translations, like Tom Clancey book to film conversions, while others leave out big chunks. I try very hard to experience both when available. Great article. Well written and informative.
thats a hard one you know i love reading but i also love a good movie. but there are better horror books than movies.
The deviations from the two are quite numerous. A good book provides for a much longer lasting enjoyment than a movie does. However, there are movies that are simply epic in and of themselves that have molded some of the very foundations of our society. This is an excellent article, Shelly.
I love this debate, it is always a good one. Thank you for all the nice comments folks.
Ummm….Ken, lapdancing?
Good article. Chicken and egg scenario. Always popular because there is no real answer.
I prefer books because it stimulates the mind and you need to work at it to make the story work–unless you blindly follow the words.
A film is to me a Quickie, an abridged version or specific part of a much longer complex tale.
both… literature is great and films can do them justice..
I believe a film is simply watching someone elses translation of a novel. They share their imagination with the audience and create the pictures their mind formed while reading the book. This can be very enlightening in addition to being entertaining. Starship troopers the movie was very different than I had imagined the book yet I completely loved the cheesiness of it and thoroughly enjoyed the social commentary even though it did not come close to the Social commentary Robert Heinlin had envisioned in his novel. The director took a 90210 mentality into making a science fiction action movie. While Heinlinn took an anti war anti establishment mentality into creating a science fiction story with a message.
Hard subject to determine!!! Loved the comparisons and the way it is set up!!!! Great job!!
This is a well done article, quite thought provoking and insightful. Of course there is great literature and great films (and bad literature and bad films), but (my opinion) I think that literature tends to stimulate the creative juices of the reader more than film does for the movie goer, in general. It seems that too many movies are done solely for entertainment, whereas literature can instruct as well as entertain.
It would be interesting to take a list of 100 great books and a list of 100 great films, and somehow determine the collective IQ of all those who have read those books, compared to the IQ of all those who have watched those films.
Great article. I’ve always picked the book versions because of the above mentioned. The flicks seem to leave out certain imagery that could be crucial to a characters development and in some cases don’t even end the same as the book. Though watching a really dramatic thriller is a mind rush and quite enjoyable as a viewer. Great article for discussion and very well written. 10/10
Awesome article. You are right on the money with this. Good read.
Outstanding article!
Film and litterature have their own advantages I feel although I’m more of a film person than a book person. Both of them encourage us to form images on a topic so I think they should both be commendable. You say some wise things in this article, nice stuff.
I am a huge film buff but I also love reading. I think that books are often better however as the author can put a lot more that they want into the book. Films on the other hand are often set limits or guide lines by production companies, producers etc.
As far as imagery goes, books allow you to imagine it all yourself. I love the fact that through film, someone, or a group of people can share their view of that book through the imagery on screen.
I’m also a film student, I love writing and directing screen plays. Showing someone a script and then showing them the finished film often brings up, “I thought you’d do this” which, I find both entertaining and helpful.
Great article, well written, very interesting topic.