Iluminace 2010, 22(1):61-82

Exceptional Fidelity

Thomas M. Leitch

In a chapter from his book, Thomas Leitch discusses the problem of fidelity to the original work when adapting it. He explains the effort to be faithful to the source as an exception that needs to be understood in the context of the creation of the transcription. According to the author, the attempt to adapt the plots of famous books as best as possible is often related to the commercial intentions of the creators. The author illustrates his point by analysing two different transcriptions: Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind and J. R. R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring. He also focuses on the motivations of the creators for making films of these books, the production history, promotion and marketing of the film versions.

Keywords: Gone with the Wind 1939, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 2001, film adaptations of literary texts, literature and film, bestseller and film, film promotion, film marketing, production costs, revenues, economics and film, filming and production, cast, business enterprise and film, merchandising

Published: March 1, 2010  Show citation