If you have read the book can you watch the film ?

Question

or vice versa can you read the book if you have already seen the film ?

I find that I cant do either , when I read the book my imagination takes over and the film rarely matches what I imagined (characters never look right or the setting doesnt seem to fit etc)

It is rarely that they keep to the book religiously and I find that off putting as I keep trying to work out what did and did not happen in the book.

Which do you prefer to do, watch the film or read the book, ?
and why ?

Answer 1

I prefer to read. It is more of a mental exercise for me and I find that I can form my own images of the characters in the book. Like you, I've rarely seen a film that lived up to it's written version and nine times out of ten, I'm disappointed.

Reading also helps me to get my mind off of the every day stresses and allows me to relax.

Answer 2

I have on a few occasions read the book AND seen the movie. In fact, after watching the Fellowship of the Ring, I went and read all three books of the LOTR Trilogy.

That being said, I have been more impressed with the books vice the movies. Such notable examples include: Jurassic Park, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Lord of the Flies, Hunt for Red October, etc. There is the rare exception that the movie is better than the book, since the only one I can think of right now is Jaws.

It doesn't help that Hollywood overdoes the political correctness and butchers the original storyline from the books or the original films in Hollywood remakes.

Books still outdo the movies, but movies are far more convenient for people nowadays.

Answer 3

Generally I always prefer the book, but I can watch the film then read the book or read the book then watch then film. Films are never the same as how you imagined them, because they are based the director's imagination but if you watch them as a film and try not to compare with the book you should be able to enjoy the film.

Answer 4

I think it depends. I was gonna say I always read the book first but that might not always be the case. Occassionally I might see a film that then makes me feel like i want to read the book, for example I watched Master and Commander Far Side of the World and then I read the book, something I enjoyed but might not have considered watching before. Sometimes a visual insight can help, esp if the story is complex. But if the book is better it just wipes away the film in your mind anyway. I have to admit I persoanlly think the recent film depiction of The Quiet American (with Michael Caine and Brendon Fraser) was absolutely superb and caught the feeling of the book precisly, it was so good it blew me away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

i remember reading a book at school (of mice and men) by the time i got into the book i was half way through and forgotten what happened at the beginning! i went to my local video shop and bought the film, the film made more sense than the book.

generally i prefer the book to the film as like you say, the imagination works overtime and the settings can be however you want, Stephen Kings "misery" is a good example, i prefer the book as there seems to be more information, the characters are explained more in detail.

Answer 6

I prefer to read the book because it has more detail and your own imagination is far better than any director can put on film. Saying that though I did enjoy The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy and that was after I had read the books several times.

Answer 7

The Da Vinci Code is a good example. I read the book and then saw the movie. Disapointment A++++. The movie was terable they left so much out. Book was better than the movie. I prefer to watch the movie 80% of the time. However I also read the book. I like reading the book if it based on a true story.

Answer 8

If I read the book first then film is never as good but I have watched film first then read book and thats not the same either it just boils down to imagination

Answer 9

I have done both and find the film lets the book down and the book is always better than the film ,the only film to come anywhere near is lord of the rings and that's still Far from being perfect.

Answer 10

I think it's better watching the movie and then reading the book. The book will be better 99% of the times, and if you read the book first then film will never catch up to your expectations.