Today we have frequent guest blogger Chad (maybe we should just make him a bona fide author and user on here now?…) with a book to movie comparison of The Lords of Salem. The book was co-written by Zombie and B.K. Evenson and its movie counterpart was also directed by Rob Zombie. You can read the movie review here, and here’s the comparison:
Right off the bat the movie and book differ as far as the format of the story is laid out. They give the reader a far greater deal of detail on the history of Salem, the witches and their killers. When the reader is introduced to the main character we already know of her connection to the past of the town. The film version plays it out more like a mystery unraveling with tidbits of information and clips from the past.
The book is also able to give a great deal of detail on side characters who aren’t even mentioned in the book as well as the main characters. This isn’t uncommon at all considering the time restraints a film has versus a novel’s. I did miss some of what was cut for the film, but over all they kept what was needed and gave you a great feel of what the book offered.
At the end, after viewing the film and reading the book, I have to say I enjoyed the film more. I think ‘ of how much I enjoy Rob Zombie’s film making. I have also grown to love all of the actors he uses in his movies. There is a sense of almost nostalgia in watching a Zombie film with so many of his repeat actors making appearances in this movie.
I also love Sherri Moon Zombie in this movie. I know that there is debate on her actual abilities as an actress, but I find her fun and fearless. I think this role is actually my favorite I have seen her in, and I absolutely loved her as Baby in House of 1000 Corpses!
Over all I think the adaptation of the book to film was a great one and actually made the story better. Adding mystery and eliminating some of the side stories that are irrelevant to the overall story were wise decisions and made an already unique and strong story, stronger and scarier.
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What do you think? Did you read the book and the movie, or even just one or the other? Let us know in the comments!
