Reading Shakespeare in the Movies: Non-Adaptations and Their Meaning

by Eric S. Mallin

Reading Shakespeare in the Non-Adaptations and Their Meaning analyzes the unacknowledged, covert presence of Shakespearean themes, structures, characters, and symbolism in selected films. Writers and directors who forge an unconscious, unintentional connection to Shakespeare’s work create non-adaptations, cinema that is unexpectedly similar to certain Shakespeare plays while remaining independent as art. These films can illuminate core semantic issues in those plays in ways that direct adaptations cannot. Eric S. Mallin explores how Shakespeare illuminates these movies, analyzing the ways that The Godfather, Memento, Titanic, Birdman, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre take on new life in dialogue with the famous playwright. In addition to challenging our ideas about adaptation, Mallin works to inspire new awareness of the meanings of Shakespearean stories in the contemporary world.

367 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2019

Reviews

[Jitendra Kotai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good insight into movies that are not actually adaptations but come very close to it. The story idea is somewhat inspired or borrowed from Shakespeare.