Brett Morgan
5th Period Pre Ap English
4-22-15
Is Dr. Jekyll’s True Form Truer on the Big Screen or on Paper?
I had always had a fancy for the ”goldie oldies”, the black and white screen, and in my opinion real acting. Normally because of the hidden messages and true connections made from the novel like how Victor Fleming does in his recreation of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. Which raises the question: does the movie enhance the novel, or tell a different story?
The chart below represents the comparisons of the book to the movie with some major changes in details. It also shows how both the book and movie conveyed the dark and mysterious message that Stevenson had intended
Element | Book | Movie |
Plot Sequence | The book begins with a tale about Mr. Hyde and then follows through with Mr. Utterson’s perspective. At the end of the novel, it reveals the truth through Lanyon’s narrative and Jekyll’s confession. | The movie begins with the backstory of Jekyll before his transformation to Hyde. Throughout the movie, it refers to chapters in the book, not in order, but does stick to key events such as Lanyon’s narrative. |
Characterization | Jekyll- The “skittish” type, often on edge due to Hyde, intelligent, handsome.
Hyde- “deformed” smaller than Jekyll, wicked and aggressive in nature. Utterson- Trustworthy, strong in character, well known. Lanyon-well educated doctor, skeptical in Jekylls work. |
Jekyll- Bold in his theories, and bold in his compassion for his future wife. Strongly upheld by his peers.
Hyde- Twisted and evil to look at. Abusive, aggressive and cunning. Lacks any sympathy. Lanyon- similar to the role as Utterson in the book. Holds a respectable character. |
Setting | Set in 1800 period England. Features mainly Jekyll’s residence, and laboratory (as most of the action occurs there) The streets surrounding the residence (used to show the resemblance in Jekyll and Hyde). Utterson’s residence is used or “breakthroughs” in his case | Set in 1800 period England. Features Jekyll’s laboratory, Mrs. Ivy’s apartment, both sides of the street (light and dark symbol), and Carew residence. A few scenes only show one setting one time like the hospital and the dining room. |
Conflict | Mr. Utterson is faced with the problem of identifying the evil man Hyde, but as the novel progresses, Jekyll becomes elusive leading to greater mystery between Hyde and Jekyll. This leaves Utterson to figure out what is happening and who’s who. | The movie starts with Jekyll trying to purify his tonic to separate the good and evil in man. As he purifies it, he then drinks the solution to find it works. Later as he transforms to Hyde, he loses control of the transformations leading to his eventual downfall. |
Through these comparisons, Fleming’s recreation enhances the story with brilliant details and connections to the book. The plot organization, the book plays out all of the key events like the letters and visits with Jekyll are seen through a narrator’s perspective. Similarly, the movie put the perspective in Dr. Jekyll’s world, before and after his transformations into Hyde. In both the book and movie, they both state similar events like the Carew murder, but at different times. However they both show the same significance because of the leftover murder weapon used to kill Mr. Carew because of it eventually leading back to Jekyll as being Hyde.
In another comparison, the characterization is similar to the book. For instance, Hyde is described as “deformed” and wicked to look at, and in the movie Hyde looks older, deranged, and ready to start trouble at any moment. Along with certain characters, like Jekyll, stay the same in both the book and movie to fully illustrate the importance of Jekyll and other characters with a similar role.
Setting in the novel is a major symbolical factor as in the movie. Like the novel, the movie illustrates the symbolic nature in the streets. The backstreet representing Hyde and the front representing Jekyll. Along with the symbolic nature, the setting plays a major role in the plot development. For example, when Hyde had killed Miss. Ivy the apartment she had lived in had been small enough to draw a crowd outside the door. This eventually lead to Hyde being chased by the police down the London streets. Through the complicated and decorative settings in the movie truly enhance the movie experience.
In addition, the conflict of the novel and movie share similarities, thus enhancing the novel. Although not in Utterson’s perspective, the movie portrays the conflict through Jekyll and his battle for control of his body. Similar to the last chapter in the novel, the movie gives great insight to the real true story rather than having another character explain his findings to then find the truth. In this case we know how the good doctor Jekyll slowly became corrupted by the vile Mr. Hyde. Thus, this enhances the movie experience in the telling of the story.
Although most people would turn their back on a black and white film, I, on the other hand, prefer them because these movies fully enhance the movie experience especially after reading the novel. It gives clarity and a truer picture to the novel and helping the viewer better understand the story of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
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