Adaptations Book to Film: Example Six - Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes

In this blog post, I'm going to just talk about the characters in these adaptations and explaining them and talking about how their compare to Arthur Conan Doyle's original.

The adaptations I am going to be talking about are:

• Elementary (CBS, 2012-2019)

• Sherlock (BBC, 2010-2017)

Elementary

This adaptation is based in New York City and features Sherlock and Joan Watson consulting with the NYPD in the Major Crimes division. 

Running from 2012-2019, the show has many twists and turns, the Moriarty/Adler one the biggest shock of all. This particular adaptation of the character of Sherlock is one of my favourites along with Benedict Cumberbatch's version in BBC's Sherlock.

Sherlock

Jonny Lee Miller portrays Sherlock Holmes in this adaptation, taking our beloved character from Britain to America. I was glad they kept the character British as that would have upset viewers like me. Jonny Lee Miller, who is known for portraying famous Literary characters like Mr Knightley in Jane Austen's Emma (BBC, 2009) and Edmund Bertram in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park (Patricia Rozema, 1999), two of the famous Austen Love Interests. Miller takes Sherlock in a different route. Sherlock is a recovering heroin addict who is assigned a Sober Companion (Watson) to help keep on the right track. He is also a consulting Detective, who is very good at what he does although has some unorthodox methods, including picking locks. Comparing to Doyle's version, he has the same sort of resentment for his father as Sherlock does in the books. Miller became the actor who has portrayed the character of Sherlock the most times after season two - there are now SEVEN seasons. 

John Watson 

In this adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, the character of John Watson has been changed into Dr Joan Watson played by the one and only Lucy Liu. I think three of the major changes from Doyle's character of John Watson is now John is now Joan, Joan is Asian bringing in a cultural aspect, and she is American, all changing from Doyle's white, British, male character of Sherlock's sidekick. Joan is a former surgeon and from the first episode Sherlock's Sober Companion helping him to stay clean. She quickly learns that she needs to help him on the job being a consulting detective alongside him, learning that she has quite the knack for it. She uses her medical knowledge to help her and becomes Sherlock's partner consulting with the NYPD. 

Moriarty and Irene Adler 

In this adaptation, Moriarty and Irene Adler are the same person portrayed by Natalie Dormer. Irene Adler is Sherlock's main love interest who was 'murdered' and this left him heartbroken. He later learns to his disbelief that Irene Adler is really his arch-nemesis, Moriarty. In this adaptation, Jamie Moriarty is the leader of the criminal mastermind group. She keeps a relationship of wits with Sherlock.

Sherlock BBC

This BBC version of Sherlock is one of the most well known.

Created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, we see another modern version of Doyle's story.

Set in modern-day London, Sherlock is a consulting detective for the Metropolitan Police along with his partner, Dr John Watson.

Sherlock Holmes

Portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, this version of Sherlock is one of the best (in my opinion and the media).

A consulting detective who is known for his observational skills and being a 'deductionist'. He also refers to himself as a 'HIGH-FUNCTIONING SOCIOPATH'. He also shows signs of Anti-social personality disorder, according to John. He is seen as rude and critical of others, especially John. However, John and Sherlock become the best of friends and it seems like Sherlock is actually capable of having a heart. He is prone to boredom and looks for bizarre and weird cases. He is also manipulative and likes to take advantage of people. Although he is all of these things, he is quite protective of those he cares for, especially his landlady, Mrs Hudson. 

John Watson 

In this adaptation by the BBC, John Watson is a former soldier, wounded in action and is a doctor. He is portrayed by Martin Freeman.

He is extremely loyal to Sherlock and his partner as a consulting detective.

One of my favourite lines of John's to Sherlock:

"I always hear 'punch me in the face' when you're speaking but it's usually in subtext"

Moriarty 

The BBC decided to go all out with this adaptation of the character of Moriarty, Sherlock's arch-nemesis.

Possibly my favourite version of Moriarty portrayed by the one and only Andrew Scott. He brings the seriously sadistic, machiavellian criminal mastermind to life in a way which makes you want to watch him over and over again.

Adapting from a Real Life Event: Part SIX - 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (Michael Bay, 2016)

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi by Michael Bay is one of the greatest modern war films based off of a true story.


Based off of 13 Hours by Mitchell Zuckoff.





2012 Benghazi Attacks, which resulted in the deaths of four Americans, Ambassador Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods.

Portraying REAL people:

• James Badge Dale portraying Tyrone S. "Rone" Woods (Commander of the GRS team and former US Navy SEAL)

• John Krasinski as Jack Silva - Not his real name - (Member of the GRS team and former US Navy SEAL)

• Max Martini as Mark "Oz" Geist (Member of the GRS team and former US Marine)

Left: Max Martini (ACTOR) Right: Oz (Real person)

• Dominic Fumuza as John "Tig" Tiegen (Member of the GRS team and former US Marine)

Left: Dominic Fumuza (ACTOR), Right: Tig (Real Person)

• Pablo Schreiber as Kris "Tanto" Paronto (Member of the GRS team and former US Army Ranger)

• David Denman as Dave "Boon" Benton (Member of the GRS team and former US Marine Scout Sniper)

The Real Soldiers:

ABOVE: The Real Guys who were on the ground in Benghazi

Politics and The 2012 Benghazi Attacks:

Senator Ted Cruz (During the 523rd Republican Presidential Debate) mentioned about the film: "Tomorrow morning a new will debut about the incredible bravery of the men fighting for their lives in Benghazi... and the politicians that abandoned them." It has been publicly said that Hilary Clinton had something to do with this horrific event, she was the Secretary of State during this time. The men who served over in Benghazi during this time feel that Clinton is partly responsible for the deaths of the four Americans.

Michael Bay:

Michael Bay was adamant on making a War Film based on a True Story. I think he did a fantastic job!! This film is absolutely amazingly done.

CINEMA: Frozen 2

Cinema:

Possible SPOILERS ahead.

On the opening day at the cinema, I took my brother, my one of my close friends and his girlfriend. We all loved it and it was absolutely hilarious, I laughed so much my cheeks hurt.

Source Material?:

It is said that Frozen is loosely based and inspired on the fairytale The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen in 1844.

However, Frozen and Frozen 2 are quite original stories.

Frozen 2 and what I liked about the film

• Olaf recapping Frozen (and then the plot of Frozen 2 after the credits) - This scene was probably the best in the film and the funniest. And Mattias' reactions throughout.

  

• Kristoff's song - Into the Woods (Jonathon Groff) - 80's/90's Boyband vibe, with Bohemian Rhapsody chorus visuals (with the Reindeer). The lyrics are amazing and hilarious. I loved this scene, it made me laugh so much. 

• Olaf's song - When I am Older (Josh Gad) - First off, SAMANTHA. Second, the visuals. Third, the lyrics. Just amazing and hilarious. 

• Kristoff trying to propose to Anna the whole way through the film. Adorable but cringy, and you feel so sorry for Kristoff the whole way through, with embarrassment. 

• Anna and Leather - Anna makes a raunchy comment at the end of the film, saying that she prefers Kristoff in leather - one for the adults!

• Anna becoming Queen of Arendelle at the end of the film.

• Just Sven and his facial expressions.

• The characters in general and how each of them developed.

Adaptations Book to Film: Example Five - Game of Thrones: Deviating from the books

Deviating from the books. I am only going to talk about FOUR from each book - OR - we'll be here for hours.

Season 1:

• Changes in ages - This is to do with making it easier to cast and more acceptable with certain more adult content with some of the characters (E.G. Sansa's rape)

• Snow - In the books, Winterfell is covered in snow and the dire wolf pups are found waist-deep in snow.

• Tyrion's description - Books: Stunted legs, a swollen forehead, squashed face, eyes different colours, waddle-walks.

• The Hand's saying - The book version: "The King eats, the Hand takes the shit", TV Version: "The King Shits, and the Hand wipes".

Season 2:

• Yara Greyjoy - Yara is named Asha in the books. The change in the series is to make sure there is no confusion with Osha, the Wilding.

• Arya and Tywin - Arya is never Tywin's cupbearer. However, it does make good TV seeing Maisie Williams and Charles Dance together on screen.

• Jorah's feelings - Daenerys doesn't learn of Ser Jorah's feelings for her in the second book.

• The character of Talisa - Talisa is not a character in the books. Robb marries Jeyne Westerling.

Season 3:

• Tormund - In the books, Tormund isn't sent by Mance to go over the wall and He is also not leading the party. 

• Gilly's baby - In the books, Gilly doesn't name her baby because it is customary to name a baby after they're two years old. In the series, she calls her baby Sam after Samwell Tarly.

• Brynden Tully - In the books, Brynden Tully wasn't present at the red wedding. In the series, he attends and fortunately for him is not in the great hall during the massacre.

• Jon and Ygritte - In the books, Jon never tells Ygritte that he loves her. He does it in his head.

Season 4: 

• Attraction - In the books, Grey Worm isn't attracted to Missandei. She is 10 in the books. In the tv series, she is a lot older and their relationship becomes intimate.

• Training Jamie - Bronn never trains Jamie in the books, Ser Ilyn does because he can't speak or write.

• Podrick - In the books, no one tries to bribe Podrick Payne into testifying against Tyrion.

• Ramsey Bolton - In the books, he was legitimised a lot earlier. 

Season 5: 

• Bronn - Bronn never goes to Dorne with Jamie in the books.

• Tommen and Margaery -  In the books, they do not consummate their marriage as Tommen is 10 years old. In the series, they do.

• Lady Olenna - Olenna has never met the High Sparrow.

• Davos and Stannis - Davos did not march with Stannis, he was sent to White Harbour to negotiate with Lord Manderly.

Season 6, 7 and 8

There are only five books - some details from the books were carried over from some of the books.