How to use filmed novels to teach literature? Has anyone use filmed novels to teach literature?

Answer 1

Way back in the dark ages when exams were called A levels and O levels, I remember my English Literature class being taken to the Cinema to watch 'Far From the Madding Crowd'. At the time, I remember wanting to go home and read the book again (it was one of the 'O' level set books, along with 'In Hazard'). I found it so much easier to visualise passages. It also showed us how films don't always follow the exact story, so for me it worked, and I became the proud recipient of an 'O' level English Literature Certificate.

Answer 2

Franco Zeffirelli's 'Romeo and Juliet', and the BBC's 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' were both shown in my Eng. Lit. 'O' Level class.
We also went to see 'Henry V' live even though we were only studying 'Henry IV, Part 1', at 'A' Level.

Any help?

( The live stage show, really got me into seeing Henry as a 'Shakespearean Hero', a bit like 'Kuffs' with Christian Slater, if you can remember. But on a grander scale. Really good for a young kid like I was. The films - not so much help, the written word was better)

Answer 3

Yes - but you have to either choose a film which actually sticks to the story, or use it to discuss how and why it has been changed.

Never a substitute for the text.

Answer 4

Yes. I used "To Kill aMockingbird" to teach the novel.

I always use film to teach Shakespeare.