The cases when film directors deliberately change the content of the inspirational story are not uncommon. For example, the short film by Ricky Lewis Jr. differs from the original story written by William Wymark Jacobs. The authors decided to use symbolism in the opening events differently; they also provide different amounts of details for some characters, such as Sergeant Major Morris. Nevertheless, the filmmaker understood what elements are crucial to telling the story, thus keeping the story’s features in the film. Overall, both variants adhere to the horror genre and invoke the same feelings.
The story begins in a tone that does not allow readers to predict the upcoming events. Jacobs states the night was cold and wet but instantly modifies the setting describing a cozy living room (Jacobs 1). In contrast, the film begins with a disturbing scene of a fakir putting a spell on a monkey’s paw. Additionally, the fog around him increases the feeling of something unnatural. In comparison, the book version increases the impact caused by the upcoming events due to them being unexpected.
Another difference comes in the presentation of Sergeant Major Morris’s character. The book provides few details on his arrival, which makes the character look less positive in the readers’ eyes. Consequently, a future revelation about him does not affect readers as much. The film, however, introduces the character with a joke, breaking the ominous feeling invoked by the grim beginning (Lewis 00:04:47). The film’s director decided to shock the audience with the changes in a seemingly positive character.
Nevertheless, some details were seen by the film’s director as crucial for the film’s effect. For instance, the irony hidden behind the monetary compensation for the person’s death was transferred on the screen. As the family wished for money, the monkey’s paw took the life of a son in exchange. This act is crucial for the story’s development, both in a book and a film. The irony comes from the son’s previous careless attitude toward requesting money from the paw.
The Monkey’s Paw is a horror story that had to be transferred to the screen. Despite different approaches to the setting and character introduction, the story and film’s creators understood what made the story shocking to the audience. Consequently, the film’s director used another tool to hide the plot twist compared to the book; nonetheless, he chose not to change the plot twist to keep the story’s intent.
Work Cited
Jacobs, William Wymark. The Monkey’s Paw. Oxford University Press, 1989.
“THE MONKEY’S PAW (2011) – Entire Film.”Youtube, uploaded by Ricky Lewis Jr, 2012.