Comparison of the novel by Robert Penn Warren and the film Adaptation - Essay Example

Comparison of the novel by Robert Penn Warren and the film Adaptation Which is more effective and powerful, Willies speeches and the croweds reaction as presented in the film, or in the novel? (pages 135-144;219-220) explain your answer providing specific examples from both the film and the novel. The film built with flashbacks takes place in a 1930s setting. The Great Depression taking place during that period sets the pace of the book. The book displays Sugar Boy as a stupid person worshipping Willie’s life.

Sugar Boy rarely talks in the film and displays the character of a strong and silent bodyguard. Emphasis on his Boss’s adoration is not clear in the film. The book displays Jack’s character in a more complex manner as compared to the film. Jack’s character takes a complex form in the book (Warren 45). His pessimist nature towards life is evident in the book with a clear obsession with Anne Stanton. In the film, Jack’s feelings are partially captured. The novel displays the philosophical discussion of Jack but “The Great Twitch” is not shown in the film.

The 1930s era is characterized by racism (Warren 56). To keep up with the era, Jack displays racist aspects by standards of a different era. The film does not capture this aspect. Jack is a doctor and performs doctoral research. Which is more effective and powerful, the visit with judge Irwin and the conflicts presented between Willie, Jack and the Judge in the film version, or the novel? (pages 63-73) explain your answer, providing specific examples from both the film and the novel.  The film version is more strong as it displays a critical review of the scenario.

The discussion of his doctoral research is presented in the novel but does not appear in the film. Jack studies Cass Mastern in his research who in a descent from the Antebellum South. Mastern fought in the Civil War. The book gives a detailed passage on Mastern and his influence on people’s life. This creates controversy as being the center of discussion in of the moral theme in the novel. Jacks stop his research on Mastern as he refuses to accept the study ratings of how people’s actions have impact on the destiny of others (Warren 98).

The reaction of Jack in the book is more prevailing that that in the film. Jack is more enraged in the book on learning that Willie has Anne as his mistress. The book does not carry the storyline of Tom Stark as displayed in the film. The film does display Tom Stark but for short periods only. The book and the film display the scandal caused by Tom after he impregnated a girl. The father of the girl faces a scandal that threatens his wellbeing. The father covers up the story by bribing the girl’s family while placing the custody of the child in his wife’s care.

The film gives a detailed story as Tom is injured in a college football game that leads him to surgery. Tom turns into a vegetable due to spinal injuries after the surgery performed by Adam Stanton who fails (Warren 78). The film details on the death of Tom shortly after the assassination of his father. The film ends with the news of Willie’s Stark assassination displayed in the newspaper headlines. The book gives a detailed explanation of this story as compared to the movie. Jack Burden gives details on events taking place after the assassination including the death of Tom.

Jack meets Sugar Boy out of chance in a library and does not resist the urge to coax him into assassinating Tiny Duff to counter the killing of Willie. This scene is also present in the film with a vivid explanation. The book shows details of the marriage between Jack and Anne. The details on Jack’s return to his research on Cass Mastern displays in the end as he faces the negative reaction of his audience. (Warren 119)Work CitedWarren, Robert Penn. All The Kings Men. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1946. Print.