vampyrate
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Jamaica Inn: the book vs. the movie
This is a place to discuss the differences between Daphne du Maurier's novel Jamaica Inn and the 1939 film that was very loosely based on it, especially comparing her written conception of Harry the Pedlar and Emlyn Williams's portrayal of the character on the screen.
This topic may contain spoilers for both the book and the movie.
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"It's all rather stylish and pretty and rather worrying" --Timothy Spall on his costume in Sweeney Todd
"He must have been fun." --Emlyn Williams (liner notes from "Emlyn Williams as Dylan Thomas in 'A Boy Growing Up'")
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8/12/2007, 10:09 pm
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htrm
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Re: Jamaica Inn: the book vs. the movie
I have finally been able to make it to the university library during it's between-sessions hours and have started reading the book.
Of the 23 out of 300+ pages I've read so far, it has a lot of similarities to the movie, a lot of differences, and is very enjoyable. There are some nice surprises, with the movie being only loosely based yet still pulling key substance from the book.
What I love most about the book is that it is able to give a history of the characters, such as why Harry is called the Pedlar.
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8/23/2007, 6:28 pm
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vampyrate
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Re: Jamaica Inn: the book vs. the movie
Sorry I haven't had a chance to post in a while, but I've also been wondering how you're coming with Jamaica Inn and how you think it compares with the movie so far. For me, I found it different enough that it didn't have any spoilers; I guess that's one good thing about it.
One thing that Daphne du Maurier complained about, however, was the way they turned her cutthroat wreckers into what she called "Peter Pan pirates" ... and I have to agree with her. They're pretty scary in the book, but kind of goofy in the movie. ("Sea lawyer Sidney" reminds me so much of Smee in the Disney cartoon!) I think Harry is the only one who's really true to the character in the book--although I've never read any specific comments made by du Maurier about Emlyn's performance. (I only know she was disgusted with the whole thing and almost refused to let Hitch**** have the rights to Rebecca after the mess he made of her previous book.)
Another thing I was very disappointed in was the way they really toned Joss down in the movie, letting the Charles Laughton character hog the screen instead. I liked the development of Mary's relationship with Joss in the book much better, while the squire is really supposed to remain in the background and you don't find out "whodunnit" until the very end. Also, her relationship with Jem is much interesting in the book. (Not to mention I love her descriptions of the Cornish moors--a central part of the story, since the inn is meant to be totally isolated, whereas in the movie, Jem and Mary walk from there to the coast in a short time!)
I've really got to read that book again one of these days. I read it twice long ago and really loved it. I hope you're enjoying it too.
---
"It's all rather stylish and pretty and rather worrying" --Timothy Spall on his costume in Sweeney Todd
"He must have been fun." --Emlyn Williams (liner notes from "Emlyn Williams as Dylan Thomas in 'A Boy Growing Up'")
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9/8/2007, 6:27 am
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htrm
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Re: Jamaica Inn: the book vs. the movie
Sometimes you have to keep the artist away from the art. I would never have thought to find the book had the movie not been put out there, and I love them both. It's one of the rare instances when I'm happy to have seen the movie first...they did such a good job with casting each character and in re-writing the story. When I find a nice copy of the book I'll add it to my library. It's definately worth keeping around to read again.
I am still only half way through, but it is good enough for me to not mind in the least that there isn't anything about Harry in the middle. Jem adds a whole new layer to the interactions between Mary and Joss. It is very fun contemplating what in the book gave ideas for the movie, and how it pulled together.
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9/9/2007, 5:01 pm
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vampyrate
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Re: Jamaica Inn: the book vs. the movie
quote:
Sometimes you have to keep the artist away from the art.
Well, sometimes, yes, but IMO, not in this case, sorry! Still, like you, I would never have thought to look for the book if it weren't for the movie. And I liked the movie (probably mainly for Emlyn's performance in it) until I read the book. They certainly did a creative job in rewriting the story, I'll give you that.  And it is interesting contemplating the process involved in the changes they made. I can tell you one major catalyst was the censors ... but I won't say more than that for now so as not to spoil anything for you as you continue reading.
I too found Jem and Joss far more compelling in the book than in the movie, so I didn't mind the absence of Harry so much. But he still has an important role to play in some upcoming scenes that were left out of or altered from the book. (There's one scene between him and Mary that's a blatant euphemism in the movie for what really happened. Although even that seems a bit bold to me for its time.)
I'm glad you're enjoying it. Please keep us posted! I love this topic.
---
"It's all rather stylish and pretty and rather worrying" --Timothy Spall on his costume in Sweeney Todd
"He must have been fun." --Emlyn Williams (liner notes from "Emlyn Williams as Dylan Thomas in 'A Boy Growing Up'")
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9/10/2007, 9:53 pm
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htrm
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Re: Jamaica Inn: the book vs. the movie
Having had time for my brain to chew on it, I think the biggest difference between the book and the movie is the ending. The movie ends with a lot of action. The very end of the book seems muted, as if the author was trying to end it, especially after its villian's fall.
I would love to have a sequal to read. Maybe they could run into Harry on the lam.
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12/15/2007, 8:05 pm
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vampyrate
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Re: Jamaica Inn: the book vs. the movie
quote:
The very end of the book seems muted, as if the author was trying to end it, especially after its villian's fall.
I didn't have that impression myself--at least, not that she was trying to end it. I just think she put more emphasis on the romance angle and wanted to tie that up separately. Romantic sap that I am, I really loved the book's ending; it made me cry. But then, it's been a long time since I've read it; maybe I'm due. (Yeah, after I finish all those Emlyn bios! I am the world's slowest reader.)
quote:
I would love to have a sequal to read. Maybe they could run into Harry on the lam.
I know, so would I! I think the book's still under copyright though (I think lasts for 70 years after the author's death), so anybody publishing a sequel would have to get permission from her estate. I really wish she had done one herself. I love the way she writes.
Did you ever see the 1985 version starring Jane Seymour, Trevor Eve, and Patrick McGoohan, BTW? I liked that it was more faithful to the book (especially the scenery), but no one could ever play Harry better than Emlyn Williams did.
---
"It's all rather stylish and pretty and rather worrying" --Timothy Spall on his costume in Sweeney Todd
"He must have been fun." --Emlyn Williams (liner notes from "Emlyn Williams as Dylan Thomas in 'A Boy Growing Up'")
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12/16/2007, 5:08 am
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