I Saw That Movie: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

I  read that movie is a feature where we compare movies or TV series, and the books they're based on.

Fahrenheit 451

Title: Fahrenheit 451
Author: Ray Bradybury

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publishing Date: October 1953 (First Published)

Pages: 159
Length of Audio: 5 Hours 1 Minute

Genre: Dystopian

Series:  Standalone

Source: Audio

  

Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden. Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television "family." But when he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn't live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known.

Mini-review:

I read this book in middle school and read it again recently. Remembering that I loved this book I was excited to re-read. I found it just as compelling this time as I did the first time I read this book. I almost think it’s more relevant today with all the banned books and other things that are taken out of our society because they hurt feelings. I do have strong opinions of this and I love that this book really delves into this kind of thinking and behavior. I won’t go into all my opinions about this matter but I will say that freedom of speech goes a long ways and we have fallen back on what that concept really is. I did love this book the first time and the second time I read it. I loved the main character and his journey through fighting the majority thought the process and his fight with free thinking. I think the book only lacked in really seeing where the silent rebellion would lead. I wished I could have seen them fight back a bit instead of waiting in silence with their knowledge. I think this had to do more with the times it was written. This book was well written and had a very strong message. I think it’s a great book for all to read for entertainment and for clarity.

Release Date: June 13th, 2018 

Cast:  Michael B. Jordan, Michael Shannon, Sofia Boutella 

Screenplay by Amir Naderi Adaptation by Ramin Bahrani

Mini Review:

So recently I found this was being made into a movie for HBO. I know there was a movie in the 60’s and I would love to find and watch that one too. But the one released this year was the one I watched. 

I felt the movie was a little slow getting into the story, but there was some excitement once the story was in full action mode. I did like the actors they chose for the characters. As a movie, it was okay. Most of it was pretty good except for the ending. The ending was strange and I just didn't feel satisfied. The problem was too much was changed. It felt like a different a story from the book. 

 I was disappointed. I am not one that really cares if movies match the book exact or the characters look like they are described (unless it’s relevant to the story) so that being said…. this movie was way off from the book. This is where I had the issue with the movie. 

Let's compare:

They changed so much. The only similarities I found was the main characters names and the burning of the books. There were a few scenes that were relevant to the book. One, in particular, was the house of books where the woman that lived in the house of books was burned down with her books. There were also the people at the farm that memorized books. The rest of the book was changed drastically. 

I mean I understand updating to computers and more relevant technology to this day and age. That part was actually cool. I did enjoy the events being on the web instead of on live television. What I didn't like were the people taken out of the equation… like Montag’s wife.  And then other main characters not playing their role correctly from the book like Clarisse. In the book, she disappeared after a couple conversations with Montag. Now yes she was instrumental in getting his mind wheels turning but she wasn't around much and she was a main character throughout the entire film… 

The ending was also changed dramatically. In the book, it was left open-ended. There was a rebellion and they would patiently wait until their time came to set forth the rewriting of the books. In the movie, there was a bird and one man that memorized over 13 thousand books. It was a little strange. 

So really the movie disappointed me because so much was changed and the book was just so perfect. I may try and wathe the older movie and see how that compares. 

Interesting Fact: 

During the scene where the books are burned by the woman, there is a brief time where a Ray Bradbury book can be seen burning.

Original Trailer: