For the Sake of the Call

For the Sake of the Call

May. 18, 2007 - To Watch or Not To Watch?

Saturday night is going to be a girls' night with my daughters (almost 8, 6, 4), so I'm trying to think of something fun to do with them beyond painting toenails. They always like the idea of popcorn and a movie and it would be a very special treat since they haven't watched hardly any TV or DVDs lately. I think that they're old enough to enjoy watching The Secret Garden (Hallmark Hall of Fame- 1987) or Anne of Green Gables with me, but the problem is that they haven't read either of these books. Both of these are very well done movies and true to the books, but no matter how good the movie; the book is always better. I had hoped to read The Secret Garden to them before watching the film, but it hasn't happened yet, so should I wait, or should we just enjoy the movie? The Secret Garden was one of my favorite childhood books, and I still remember the suspense of reading it. Will they be losing something by watching the movie first?

One reason that I hesitate is that once you've watched a movie, it influences the way you read the book. Instead of imagining what Anne looks like based on L.M.Montgomery's description, you will forever have the image of Megan Follows in your head. It hinders your imagination. I had already read the Anne books before we watched the weekly PBS instalments; as it turned out, Megan Follows was exactly as I had pictured Anne! So maybe it doesn't matter. Pride and Prejudice was another book which I read before watching the film. I'm glad I did and I'm waiting to watch Emma and Sense & Sensibility until I've read those books as well. But sometimes it can be so disappointing to watch the movie after you've read the book. Are you not as disappointed when you read the book after watching the movie? I've always read the book first, so I don't really know if watching the movie spoils or enhances the reading of the book.

What do you think? Am I over-analyzing or should we wait? Maybe we could pop some popcorn and I could begin reading The Secret Garden to them. These movies have been sitting on my shelf waiting for the right time for quite a while now; I suppose they could wait a little longer. Except I've been reading so much to them lately that I don't know that they'd be as excited about that idea. And there are still so many other books to read that don't have movies to go along with them. But Anne of Green Gables is one of the best books of all time, and I'd hate to have my daughters lose any of the joy that comes from reading it by watching the movie first! We've watched all the other age-appropriate movies we own and I never have much success going to Blockbuster. If you really want to know the truth, I'M the one who really wants to watch Anne of Green Gables again, it's been such a long time and the music from the soundtrack is playing through my head even as I type. Maybe I should just put the girls to bed early and stay up late watching it myself. I'm sure they'd appreciate that! Ha!

Suggestions anyone?

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May. 18, 2007 - Firm rule...

Posted by FaithfulGrace

As much as I can control it, my firm rule is book first than watch movie. This is because my oldest (12) is a movie/TV nut. So by having this rule it motivates her to read the book. She zipped through "Bridge to Teribithia" and we all had fun reading through "Charlotte's Web" and "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe".

Personally there are few movies that are as good as the book for me. But I think this is personal preference.

How's the asparagus?
Wishing you a blessed and great weekend,
Linda

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May. 18, 2007 - <i>Untitled Comment</i>

Posted by Honeybee

Hey! We just got back last night. I have lots to blog and fill you in on (that'll come soon), but I had to tell you that the new version of Pride and Prejudice is def. one of my all time favorite movies! I read the book after, and hated the book. I think the movie story was much better and could not figure out why everyone loves it (the book, I mean)...I guess I'm weird, but I'll try to do my reading first, from now on! :)

Blessings,
Melissa

Edited by Honeybee on May. 18, 2007 at 10:07 AM

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May. 18, 2007 - Read the books first!

Posted by sonshine4u

It has been incredibly hard for me to wait to show those movies to my kids too....but the book has to come first! Don't spoil the treasure and anticipation of each page you turn in Anne of Green Gables! As much as I want to read this to my daughter right now, I want to wait for her to read it on her own first! It was such a wonderful experience for me to read through the first time.

Why don't you guys play games, or put on a "show" in costumes like the Little Women would do!? You can take some of those fabulous moments/ideas from those books and create them with your kids before you read the books and then....when they read the books, they'll be able to relate to it and be even more excited about the connection they have to the characters!
Well, enjoy your evening! I just might have to have a little dress-up action with my kids tonight too! :)

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May. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

Hmm. I watched the movie first (Anne) & that gave me a great desire to read the book. I greatly love both the book & movie in their own special, different ways, and reading the books makes me want to see the movies, and vice versa. I think that both of them are outstanding in their own rights. I don't stick to a hard and fast rule of reading the book first. In the case of To Kill a Mockingbird, I would never have picked up the book if I hadn't seen the movie first, and having the accents & images in mind made reading the book more enjoyable. In the case of Sense & Sensibility, I would never have watched the movie if I had read the book first (the book was horrible; long and ponderous and hard to follow and with a bad ending). I think your girls will absolutely fall in love with the movie and in this case I think you should watch the movie with them.
Don't you hate it, though, when they make a movie that totally slaughters the story? My biggest pet peeve in that genre right now is what they did with the Love Comes Softly books. What a travesty.

-Sarah

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May. 18, 2007 - Revision to what I just posted!

Posted by Anonymous

Hmm. I watched the movie first (Anne) & that gave me a great desire to read the book. I greatly love both the book & movie in their own special, different ways, and reading the books makes me want to see the movies, and vice versa. I think that both of them are outstanding in their own rights. I don't stick to a hard and fast rule of reading the book first. In the case of To Kill a Mockingbird, I would never have picked up the book if I hadn't seen the movie first, and having the accents & images in mind made reading the book more enjoyable. In the case of Sense & Sensibility, I would never have watched the movie if I had read the book first (the book was horrible; long and ponderous and hard to follow and with a bad ending). I think your girls will absolutely fall in love with the movie and in this case I think you should not worry about watching the movie first.
Don't you hate it, though, when they make a movie that totally slaughters the story? My biggest pet peeve in that genre right now is what they did with the Love Comes Softly books. What a travesty.

-Sarah

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May. 18, 2007 - <i>Untitled Comment</i>

Posted by StillHisGirl

Great question! I love movie nights with my girls, and they get so excited about them!

I've done a little bit of everything, and the kids still love to read. :) I made them wait for Bridge to Terebithia until we'd read it, but knowing that the language of Anne of G.G. is pretty tough, my daughter read an abridged version first, and then saw the movie. Then probably next year I'll have her read the original book. But they've seen some movies before the books, too. The books stand on their own and when they read them, they will have vivid images and will love them even if they've seen the movies. Whatever you do, remember there is no "right" way and enjoy an evening with your girls without any guilt! :)

Those two movies you mentioned I think actually do a great job. Obviously, Anne can't get in all the characters and scenes of the entire series of books. I read the books before seeing the movie, but I think the actresses for Anne and the Cuthberts were perfect. A Little Princess is a great movie, too- both the Shirley Temple version and the more recent one. We also watch some Little House episodes. Have fun being with your girlies. And if you're itching to watch Anne with an E but don't want to with your girls, do it with some girlfriends! I had a Pride and Prejudice movie night with girlfriends this year. :)

Edited by StillHisGirl on May. 18, 2007 at 3:34 PM

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May. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by 2peter318

O.K., now I don't know if I want to place a comment, after reading all your other ones. It's sad to say, I've never read those books or watched the movies, neither have my kids. :( My daughter loves to read, and my son, well we're still working on it. She did read all the Little House before I let her watch the shows. And though I've never read thoughs books, I usually like the books better than the movies. And you are right, that watching a movie, will influence how you "see" things when you read. I liked the idea of a "game" night, my kids always liked that. :)
JoAnn

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May. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by EEEEMommy

Great insights everyone!
Thanks so much!
I agree Sarah, the Love Comes Softly movies are terrible!!!!

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May. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by grace4gayle

I try to stick with the "read the book first" theory but sometimes it's ME that can't wait any longer. And, I'm sorry, but the Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth is my all time favorite version. He is absolutely yummy in that one.

Have fun with your girlies!

Gayle

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May. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Molly

I'm usually a stickler about reading the book first since I almost always prefer the book to the movie. However, I saw Anne of Green Gable in college and then rapidly devoured all the books in the Anne series! I don't feel it detracted since the books were so much more detailed than the movies. Although the 3rd Anne movie was horrible! You know, the one where she's running around Europe looking for Gilbert in WWII. Augh, it was awful.

I have to chime in here...I too am devastated (ok maybe too strong a word) by the Love Comes Softly movies. I read all 8 books and they are SO different. I guess I'm a purist, huh? Although I do love Sense and Sensibility even though it was slightly different. I agree too...Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth was much better than the latest version. Have fun with your beautiful girls! I'm sure they'll be thrilled to just be with "mommy". Take care.

Molly (:

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May. 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by chickadee

how about the sound of music? as far as i know there's no book to that one.

or you could do facials and hair. we loved anne of green gables. we listened to the audio book in the car (for a very long time) then watched the movie. they are now watching anne of avonlea even though we did not read the book.

hope you have a great night together.

oh, and i'm still thinking about your comment on pointers for year round schooling. working on a post for that though i'm not sure i'll be all that much help to you.

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May. 19, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by nsremom

Well, my humble opinion? My daughter watched the Anne of Green Gables movies with me and was so enamored with Anne that it turned her onto the books, which she has now read. (she just turned 10) Then I followed it with the Emily of New Moon series, which she's on her 2nd book.

Having watched the movies just spurred her onto the series with more fervor. It was just as wonderful for her.

My kids have seen the Secret Garden and have not read it yet. (I remember reading it as a girl as well though! I agree with you that it was lovely)

I read the Tolkein trilogy (3 times) and still was really happy with the movies. (although NOT appropriate for any of my children whatsoever....just illustrating my point)

I think it's really sweet that you're having such a wonderful mom and girls night. What a great thing for them to remember when they're older.

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May. 21, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Elise

I know I'm late on this, but I just had to give my two cents worth!
I love reading so much, and always have, that even if I saw a movie before reading the book, I still utterly enjoyed the book just as much! Secret Garden is one of those instances - and btw, that version is my favorite!
So, what did you end up doing?

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About Me

Philosophical musings from the heart of a home-educating mommy of four and wife of ten years. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:14