I'd like to either assign or encourage my World Lit students to see one or more movies based on or related to the literature we'll be studying. I've been having trouble coming up with a list, though, especially when one of the criteria is that the movie should be reasonably accessible--either in theaters now or available on DVD (preferable) or VHS.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Here's my list so far--and I have left some things off, but maybe I'll add them again:
TROY (2004)--Retelling of Homer's ILIAD, starring Brad Pitt as Achilles and Orlando Bloom as Paris. Too bad that was all it had going for it.
THE 13th WARRIOR (1999)--Very loosely based on BEOWULF, from Michael Crichton's novel EATERS OF THE DEAD, which actually does draw on a real 10th century account by the Arabic writer Ibn Fadhlan of his experiences with the Vikings.
EXCALIBUR (1981)--One of many film versions of the Arthurian legend, Boorman's Excalibur uses more visual imagery and symbolism than most to tell the story of Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, the Round Table, and the search for the Holy Grail.
GILGAMESH (2004?)--Hey! Someone's making a movie of GILGAMESH. See an early trailer here:
http://www.stonelockpictures.com/production.html
MULAN (1998)--Disney's animated version of the legendary Chinese woman general's story.
HERO (2002)--set 2,000 years ago when the king of Qin (Chin) conquered seven independent kingdoms to form a united China, nominated for an Oscar for Foreign Language film, starring Jet Li. Check out this review: http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/hero.html
ASOKA (2001)--If you've never experienced a movie from India (known as "Bollywood"), you may be surprised by this version of the epic of the prince who learns through war that the peaceful way of Buddhism is a better approach to life and government.
THE MAHABHARATA (1989, dir. Peter Brook)--Version of India's epic myth
THE MISSION (1986)--Though set in the 18th century, vividly portrays the issues driving European colonization of South & Central America. A great film with fantastic performances by Robert DeNiro and Jeremy Irons.
Lots of movies about Biblical times--pick one you think is really well done--there are certainly plenty of cheesy ones. A few are considered classics:
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956, dir. Cecil B. DeMille)--Charlton Heston as Moses. Stunning special effects (for the 1950s)! Forget everything you think you know & actually see the movie.
PRINCE OF EGYPT (1997, Disney)--for a completely different version of the Exodus!
THE GOSPEL OF JOHN (2003)--that's right, every word of the GOSPEL OF JOHN, narration and dialogue, is in this film. It's about 3 hours long, but in many ways, it's more fulfilling than THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST.
Full Version: Films related to World Literature
Nicholas Nickelby comes to mind. There's a recent adaptation with a vertiable who's who of British actors.
| QUOTE (Clint M @ Aug 28 2004, 02:58 PM) |
| Nicholas Nickelby comes to mind. There's a recent adaptation with a vertiable who's who of British actors. |
Good novel, & good movie. But I should have mentioned that my current course covers Ancient times-17th century (which explains the apology for including The Mission.
www.Teachwithmovies.org has a list:
Check out the site, it's very helpful.
Check out the site, it's very helpful.
| QUOTE |
d. Greece The Odyssey (World/Ancient Greece; Mythology; Literature; Seafaring; Char. Dev.: Humility; Surviving; Marriage; Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Responsibility) [14+ for the movie; 11+ for the book] e. Muslim Culture f. Roman Empire Julius Caesar (Drama/England; World/Ancient Rome; Char. Dev.: Ambition; Rebellion; Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+] Spartacus (Biography; World/Ancient Rome; Char. Dev.: Rebellion; Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [13+] 3. Middle Ages The Adventures of Robin Hood (World/England & Middle Ages; Char. Dev.: Rebellion; Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [8 - 13] The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Literature/France; World/Middle Ages & France; Char. Dev.: Disabilities; Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [10 -12] 4. The Renaissance Galileo: On the Shoulders of Giants (Biography; Science-Technology; World/Italy & the Renaissance; Char. Dev.: Brothers; Education; Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Respect) [8 - 13] Leonardo: A Dream of Flight (Biography; World/Italy & the Renaissance; Science-Technology; Aviation; Char. Dev.: Talent; Friendship; Mother/Son; Ethical Emphasis: General) [8 - 11] A Man for All Seasons (Biography/Thomas More; World/England & the Renaissance; Religions/Christianity; Drama/England; Char Dev.: Courage; Male Role Model; Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [12+] 5. The Enlightenment Goya: Awakened in a Dream (Visual Arts; World/Spain & the Enlightenment; Biography; Char. Dev. --- Father/Son; Friendship; Illness; Human Rights; Talent; Disabilities; Ethical Emphasis --- Caring) [8 - 13] Gulliver's Travels (World/Enlightenment; Literature/Ireland; Char. Dev.: Peace/Peacemakers; Courage in War; Humility) [7+] Isaac Newton: A Tale of Two Isaacs (Biography; Science-Technology; World/England & Enlightenment; Char. Dev.: Romantic Relationships; Talent) [8-13] |
| QUOTE (BethR @ Aug 27 2004, 08:59 PM) |
| EXCALIBUR (1981)--One of many film versions of the Arthurian legend, Boorman's Excalibur uses more visual imagery and symbolism than most to tell the story of Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, the Round Table, and the search for the Holy Grail. |
I think a study of Excalibur would be most effective being put against a different telling of the story as so much of its imagery is a hodge-podge from all over the five hundred years or so of Arthur/Grail legends. (The 'Based on L'Morte Arthur' quote at the beginning is one of the biggest laughs in the film) Last time I wrote on it I used Monty Python and the Holy Grail which is easier going but no less rigorous an incoporation of various tellings on the Arthur story. And it's *packed*, from the more obvious (the opening titles as parody of Bergman style 'serious' films and the whole idea of 'serious' literature and cinema) to the very obscure (i.e. Galahad's off-hand comment to Lancelot upon leaving Castle Anthrax "I bet you're gay" is a great gag but also alludes to a whole stream of Lancelot/Galahad tales in the middle ages which implied a strong homoerotic element to their relationship and the whole concept of the Round Table)
King Arthur would also be an interesting comparison but, alas, I am still yet to see it and so it wouldn't be right for me to say what I think it's saying (although I can have a pretty good guess
)Phil.
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