Stephan King Different Seasons, Essay Example

Stephen King’s Different Seasons: Rita Hayworth & Shawshank Redemption

There have been many great stories that were turned into movies. Sometimes the directors get it right, however, in some cases they can entirely revamp the story in which the films go away from the source material. In some situations they do draw similarities that doesn’t take away from the book, while providing a better film adaption. Looking to the literary piece, Different Seasons, there are several similarities when comparing the film and story of “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption”. Novella written by Stephen King, one of the most iconic authors of our generation. In taking a look at the overall similarities, the film captures the essence of the novella accurately, in regards to the key scenes, character portrayals, and the driving message of regaining hope.

The movie Shawshank Redemption is a literary adaption, in the regards that it stays closely to the characters, plot, concept, and key scenes. The literary translation to film for “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” is one the rate instances in which the film was much more enjoyed than the actual story. The setting for both pieces remains the same, as does the characters. For example Andy Dufrense, was the central character described as snobby, quiet, and had a different kind of walk. (King, 1982, pg. 18) The characters in the film also shared the same sentiments about Andy. Andy is portrayed as a middle age, around 30 that is perceived as weak. The dialogue that is used in the book is also used primarily in the film. When looking at the trial scene, it provides almost the same lines from the DA as in the novella. While not all the same dialogue is used, it does have most of key lines such as, “get busy living, or get busy dying.” (King 1982) A line that is often repeated throughout both the film and the novella. The film also provides a good literary translation when depicting the same conversations between the title characters. Andy discusses his dream of Mexico, while also telling Red about McNary, Texas, and Buxton. The key scenes are kept intact as the introduction between Andy and Red is depicted almost accurately in the film portrayal. This can be viewed throughout the film as it loosely follows Red and Andy’s narration, the stories they told between them, and the way Andy learns to navigate throughout the prison.

Of course, the film adaption does allow some different interpretations including the character of Red, depicted in the book as a red headed Irish man, and was played by African American actor Morgan Freeman. As well as Tim Robbins depicting the neat, short, sandy-haired banker. (King, 1982) Some characters also have different reasons why they are in jail, such as a librarian, who was paroled in the novella, but committed suicide in the film. Other noticeable differences are the important character of Tommy that comes to the prison with significant information about who killed Andy’s wife and lover. In the film, he is killed by Warden Norton, but in the novella he is transferred to another prison. More importantly is the endings are different. The novella writes that Red hoping that Andy is in Mexico as he travels to the city while in the film it ends with Red and Andy sitting on the beach in Mexico.

While the film does differ in some aspects of the novella, overall it stays true to its literary translation. They dialogue, the expressions of the characters, as well as the key scenes, follow the novella. The film provides a good translation of the overall message of hope. The book provides more details of Andy’s ordeal, the film doesn’t shy away from including the key scenes that make the story special. The Rita Hayworth poster is up in Andy’s jail cell, and in both pieces illustrates freedom. Even when Andy is beaten down throughout the film and novel, and purposely kept there by the Warden, he still hangs on to the central message of the novella. The similarities of the film and novella provides an excellent example of literary adaption done right to the story.

References

King, Stephen. (1982). “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.” Different Seasons. Pg. 16-107. New York, NY: Signet.