At the Movies
Ned’s daddy and I actually sat down to watch a film together last night, something we haven’t done for ages. The film was beautiful and one of the best screen versions of a book I have seen in a long time. The film was Bridge to Terabithia based on the Katherine Paterson novel of the same name published long ago in 1977. I vividly remember studying this novel in about Year 7 (long ago!) and I also remember that it was the first book I had read that really made me cry so passionately for the characters. The film also made me cry but don’t think this is a sad film! It is also an amazing story of friendship, imagination and strength; the sadness is an integral part of the story but it is brilliantly handled. The performances of the children as 10 year olds Jess and Leslie are perfect and it also features one of my favorite actresses, the stunning Zooey Deschanel as the children’s arty music teacher. Before I saw the film I was concerned that the trailers contained too much computer generated imagery of the imaginary Terabithians, however this wasn’t so in the feature and I felt it was done very tastefully to give the film a currency without being too scary or bizarre. It was so lovely in fact that I would give it 5 out of 5 on The Movie Show and I’m definitely going to keep a copy for the time when Ned and I can sit and watch together.
Paterson’s original novel won the 1978 Newbery Medal, an award given by the American Library Association for outstanding children’s literature. What I didn’t know is that the book was actually on the challenged books list in the US because people took offence to the fact that Jess says “Lord” sometimes outside of prayer and also because they believed that the book encouraged satanic magic. How far have we come when very recently people have objected to the Harry Potter books for the same reason. Although Bridge to Terabithia is 30 years old as a novel its concepts have not dated and this wonderful movie has successfully given it a new life.
There are many more movies based on children’s books that just have been and are just about to be released. Of course there is Horton Hears A Who based on probably the nicest character created by Dr. Seuss. Horton is a lovable elephant who discovers the city of Whoville on a microscopic speck of dust attached to a flower. Horton is the only one who can hear the Whos of Whoville and so sets about protecting them from their enemies. The trouble is that in Horton’s world there are laws that prevent anyone believing in anything they cannot see or hear. The reviews for this animated version of the Seuss picture book have been fantastic, which is great considering the other films of his books have been flops - although I did like The Grinch. The Age/SMH gave it a tremendous review. I love the similarities between original Horton and 2008 Horton in the pictures below…
The film I really want to see, desperately, is The Spiderwick Chronicles. Based on the 5 book series by Holly Black and illustrated by the amazing Tony DiTerlizzi in which Jarod, Simon and Mallory Grace find a mysterious old book which allows them entry into a world filled with Goblins, Pixies, Trolls and other fantastical creatures. The trailers for this film look incredible and it is also getting wonderful reviews from sources like Variety. Actor Freddie Highmore (Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) plays both Jarod and Simon Grace as they are identical twins; I can’t wait to see how they have managed that.
About to be released is Nim’s Island based on the lovely intermediate novel by Australian author Wendy Orr, first published in 1999 and illustrated by Kerry Millard. The film was shot on the Gold Coast and on Hinchenbrook Island, North Queensland. I loved reading Nim because she is such a strong female character, living on a deserted island with all her animal friends; she is like a more modern Pippi Longstocking. The father of Nim (Abigail Breslin from Little Miss Sunshine) is missing and she is alone until by fate her favorite author (Jodie Foster) a recluse from New York is washed up on the island. Together they must find the courage to prevail over their fears and track down Nim’s dad.
Relating to this post and about the Where the Wild Things Are movie there is a great article from The Age today written by Thornton McCamish about children’s love of scary stories in both literature and film.
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We too loved Bridge to Terabithia. Neve who is 9 also found it sad (bit surprised at the ending I think!) but really enjoyed it.
We went to see the Spiderwick movie on the weekend. I think they did a really good job with it. Some stuff was different to the books - but in the spirit of the original stories I think. We were thrilled with Thimbletack and Hogsqueal, they were both very funny and quirky. It was altogether very satisfying!
By the way I love your blog - you can never have too many children’s books I think (My husband might see it differently!)
I am looking forward to the next installment.
31 Mar 2008 at 10.22 am
I loved Bridge to Terabithia when I read it in 4th grade (I was 9), but I can hardly remember it at all… I’m looking forward to watching the movie soon and then reading it with my son when he is older… what age do you think it’s appropriate for?
My son recently watched The Polar Express, which he asked for because he loves trains… he found it a bit scary (he’s 2), so we turned it off, but then he kept asking to watch the “scary movie” so I sat and watched some more with him and it got less scary, so that was nice, for him to experience overcoming his fears… now he asks for it all the time “scary movie”, “scary movie”, but we got it from the library so we won’t be watching it again… I think it’s based on a book (?) so maybe we can look for that!
31 Mar 2008 at 7.28 pm
I think that people should read the book first, before they go and see the movie, so that people can have their own interpretations of the characters and then see how someone else interprets them for the big screen. (David, age 17)
I also think that reading the book first is a good idea so that you can let your imagination run wild without having to follow the strict guidlines that the movie provides. Your own interpretation of a character is different to seeing someone else’s view on the same character on the movie or television screen. For if you do that then when that name appears in the book your mind goes back to that person’s take on the character. Movies sometimes leave you feeling disappointed; leaving whole characters out that you thought were important but from the perspective of a person who hasn’t read the book they see no gap or blank. I am looking forward to seeing Inkheart later this year. P.S I have read the book at least 4 times (Fiona, age 12)
03 Apr 2008 at 3.45 pm
Annie:
Thanks for your comments! The movie ‘Bridge to Terabithia’ is rated PG, and it does have some scary bits and deals with fairly sophisticated concepts and themes. Similar age as for the book, I’d say, upper-primary.
‘Polar Express’ is indeed a book, and a beautiful one. You can see Lou’s review of it here:
http://weheartbooks.com/2007/11/15/christmas-is-coming/
11 Apr 2008 at 10.31 am
I really like spiderwick the movie, I am 6 years old. I like how they used magic to protect themselves from the bad goblins. I liked the lift in the house that help the children escape.
22 Nov 2008 at 9.56 am