Top 7 Movies Based on Classical Literature College Students Must Watch

What does it mean for something to be classic. Classic means a lot of things, some of which are works that people have judged to be an outstanding quality of work that is peerless. Also, it means a work that has become timeless or has lasting worth. In the context of this article, it means both. We walk though 7 movies which were inspired by classical literature.

A popular art form today

Art has taken different forms today; some of the most popular art forms currently are movies. Movies have become a staple form of entertainment and getting ideas that will capture the heart of the audience has become a demanding task. So many writers have written scripts that movie execs have shredded for lack of quality.

However, there are some ideas that often survive the critical gaze of movie execs, ideas based on classical literature. You may not know it, but some of the most popular movies you have seen are from classical literature. The modern setting has hoodwinked you into thinking you are looking at something completely fresh. Well, you are not, and it’s not such a bad thing.

7 movies based on classical literature

Movie makers are a creative bunch, and they have carefully disguised their inspiration from classical literature with their own version of storytelling. Beautiful storytelling and interpretation of classical literature are one of the reasons why you have seen different movies based on one classical work. The other reason is that there are not many of these classical works. Nonetheless, there are some films based on classical literature that you should watch. We have 7 movies for you here; Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, Les Misérables, Pride and Prejudice, Romeo and Juliet, 12 Years a Slave, The Duff and Cruel Intentions.

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Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
First off, the Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring is just a movie out of the trilogy, but you should watch it. When you watch it, you will understand the brilliance of J.R.R Tolkien and his ability to build worlds. However, without Peter Jackson’s imagination, we would not have been able to ‘see’ Tolkien’s world.

The movie, like its parent material, revolved around Frodo, who inherited the Ring of Power from his cousin Bilbo Baggins. The mission of Frodo and the fellowship is to destroy the Ring, which was one of the vestiges of power of the Dark Lord Sauron. The plot seems direct, but the journey is one with twists and turns. Will Frodo be successful? Why don’t you watch it to find it?

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Les Misérables
The film is an adaptation of the book of the same name. Victor Hugo wrote the book in 1862, and the book has continued to find favor among audiences across time. The film is a musical with an ensemble of stars like Hugh Jackman, Russel Crowe, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, and Eddie Redmayne.

The movie was set in 19th-century France, and it revolved around Jean Valjean, a noble thief who benefited from an act of kindness, and rose to begin to help others.

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Pride and Prejudice
Joe Wright performed excellently well directing this movie and did well portraying the book, even if not faithfully. Wright made aspects of the book relatable for modern viewers. One of such aspects is pivoting from the rigidity of the 1812 culture, which was when Jane Austen wrote the book. So, Wright chose to avoid the elaborate dressing that was common in 1812 to give the film a more youthful feel.

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Romeo and Juliet
This is perhaps one of the most widely adapted classical works ever, from different stage plays to different movies. However, perhaps Baz Luhrmann’s film version is one of the best takes of this classical work. The film is a mix of Shakespearean dialogue, fast cars, and blazing guns, with the two families having a more mafia outlook.

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12 Years a Slave
This movie is an adaptation of Solomon Northup’s memoir and a bold telling of America’s gloomy past of slave trading. Solomon Northup was kidnapped in Washington D.C, and his captors made him in slave in New Orleans. The movie was a faithful adaptation and vividly captured the memoir’s gruesome details, putting the ugly American past in full glare. This movie is not for the faint-hearted. However, if you want the truth about America’s past, watch it.

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The Duff
Who would have thought that teenage rom-com hit was an adaptation of Pygmalion, a play which George Bernard Shaw wrote. This stage play, like the movie, is about a woman who seeks to transform her image. The film isn’t a dedicated adaptation, but the premise is still the same, and as a student, you will definitely enjoy the high school setting of the film.

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Cruel Intentions
The original work is a French classic titled Les Liaisons Dangereuses and the movie Cruel Intention tries its best to follow the original work. The filmmaker maintained the central plot of manipulating an innocent girl into sex.

Conclusion
As a student, you need downtime every now and then. These films are some of the best ways you can get that downtime. Also, your school may ask you to write a review on some of these films. So, watching them gives you an edge, or you could save time and give it out to one of the best essay writing websites.

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Jane Turner is a contributor for indieactivity.