Books or Movies? The BIG Debate

Just finished "The Princess Bride" today (the “Good Parts” version) and I still hold to the idea that whatever media you see or read first is the one that you think is “better”. For instance, I read the "DaVinci Code" before the movie and I agreed with those readers around me that the book was so much better than the movie. "The Princess Bride", however, was much more enjoyable on film. (I will credit the book that the back stories of Inigo and Fezzik were interesting, but seriously, the dragging on of the Zoo of Death was pointless. I thought this was suppose to be the “Good Parts” edition?)

So am I right about this?

By the way, I do think you should pick up a copy of the book to read to your children and to see what happens to the characters after the happily ever after ending. It stays with the theme that life is hard and most often not fair.

Posted on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 by Drew Johnson

11 comments (Add your own)

1. Tim D. wrote:
Drew! Cousin! Really? I thought the Zoo of Death was one of the better literary dungeon's I've ever crawled. I found the book to be absolutely incredible, though I think I ought to read it again.

Why movie better, hm?

November 25, 2008 @ 8:48 PM

2. Matt W. wrote:
Both are equally good for what they are. I wouldn't change either of them.

November 25, 2008 @ 8:48 PM

3. Drewbe wrote:
I personally think that Rob Reiner was the perfect guy for the director position...and with that he brought his own sense of humor and creativity. Just to mention one area of the book where this is seen is the kidnapping of Buttercup and her escape into the waters infested with the "Shrieking Eels". Morgenstein only had sharks in those waters.

... Read MoreAnyway, I think the movie has better continuity throughout and keeps the integrity of the good as well as any movie. The lines are more memorable from the movie and the settings more realistic of the Florine area.

Did you read the rest of the note? I did credit the book with some sections I thought were excellent that added to the story.

November 25, 2008 @ 8:49 PM

4. Bryant wrote:
Okay, I have NEVER heard that a movie is better than the book. Why? My theory is that when people read the book that is also a movie, they want to let the whole world know that they read the book so they make the excuse that the book was better. They are showing off.

I'm sure many of you will disagree with me.... that's okay.

November 26, 2008 @ 10:21 AM

5. Drewbe wrote:
@Bryant
I'm with you there. I think there is a hierarchy of media with reading at the top. They don't teach "Movie Watching 101" in schools.

But my main question was, whatever form of the story you see first, that's the one you remember and think is best. I guess that's the way it is for me.

November 26, 2008 @ 11:33 AM

6. Tim D. wrote:
Morgenstern. NOT STEIN!!! >:( Hmmmmmmm perhaps, perhaps.

November 26, 2008 @ 11:38 AM

7. Drewbe wrote:
Sorry Tim...I get my last name suffixes messed up with a lot of the Jewish authors I read.

November 26, 2008 @ 11:38 AM

8. Tim D. wrote:
I forgive you. This time.

November 26, 2008 @ 11:38 AM

9. Drewbe wrote:
Thanks. You've got to admit though that the movie version is pretty well done. Don't ya?

November 26, 2008 @ 11:39 AM

10. Tim D. wrote:
Well, seeing as it is literally my favorite movie of all time, I'd have to agree with you.

November 26, 2008 @ 1:10 PM

11. Drewbe wrote:
I've seen The Princess Bride more times than any other movie. I stopped counting after 100. 100 x 90 minutes = 9000 minutes or 150 hours or 6.25 days of my existence has been spent watching that movie. Am I an uber-nerd or what?

November 26, 2008 @ 1:10 PM

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