Actions speak louder then words

October 30, 2009 jyerkie3

 

“Actions speak louder then words”

 

Through film a novel can be portrayed in several different ways. Film has the ability to create a visual form of literature. Film can be exactly what the reader was expecting, or it could be the complete opposite. This is what makes film unique. When reading a novel opinions are formed, predictions are made; the readers create visuals for characters, and try to determine the setting and other details in the novel. Verifying the old cliché “Actions speak louder then words”. Mary Shelly wrote her book “Frankenstein” in. 1814. From that time forward there have been many different renditions of the novel “Frankenstein”. The version that best follows Shelly’s original story line is Kenneth Branagh’s 1994 “Frankenstein” film.

Branagh utilizes film by creating a visual form of literature. The graphic scene where Victor Frankenstein’s mother bleeds to death, while giving birth, exemplifies where a reader can only relate to words and imagination, versus a viewer can witness the words and action on the screen. On an extremely stormy night Frankenstein’s mother bled to death while giving birth to Victor’s little brother Willie. The camera depicts the gory and horrid setting involving the birth. Where then, Victor hears his mother’s blood curdling scream, and goes running. The visual presence of that is stronger then what Shelly can detail in her writing. In comparison the author describes a blood curdling scream during child birth, that ultimately results in the death of Frankenstein’s mother while giving birth, which no way compares to hearing, seeing and witnessing the act.

On a “dreary night” in Frankenstein’s lab he creates life like God. On the last step of his experiment in hopes his creature would live, he shots out “LIVE, LIVE, LIVE”. This is an emotional part in the film for Victor, because he has created the impossible. The film shows his eagerness to help the creature learn to walk. Even after investing all his time, and energy to create this creature, and took the chance of losing his love of his life, a few moments after the creature came to life Victor stated in amazement with a shocked look on his face “what have I done”? The intensity of this scene in film

is suspenseful then that of the novel can show. Being able to visualize the action in the film has more of an impact on the viewer then the reader, because the reader is no longer imagining its character, the characters appear real for the viewer.

In watching the 1994 Branagh’s film of “Frankenstein” the creature interacts with the DeLacey family showing his true emotions. One day while getting the courage to present himself to the blind man, he ends up receiving the acceptance he longed for. The blind man asked him to come and sit by the warm fire, and asks “Why do you hide in the woods, why do you not show your self, do you not have no friends” the creature replies “have some, but they not know me, I am scared they will think I am ugly and hideous”. Abruptly, the blind mans son barges into the room, physically assaults the creature, and forces him into the woods, where he then howls and weeps. A person can identify, and physically see the emotions rather then reading the words. The visualization of seeing the creature in pain and the sadness exhibited quantifies that actions do speak louder then words.

When a novel is turned into a film, it is helpful to see the perceptions and opinions of others. Film can be portrayed in several different ways, like “Frankenstein”. Comparing Branagh’s film, and Mary Shelly’s novel makes it easier for the reader and viewer to grab a hold of the appearance, and emotion of the characters. Watching Branagh’s film of “Frankenstein” it is helpful to see a visual form of Shelly’s novel. Verifying the old cliché ‘Actions DO speak louder then words’.

Entry Filed under: Frankenstein Film

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