Although the film version of Wladyslaw Szpilman's autobiography is a morale-killing, tear-jerking two and a half hours long, it was still not long enough to truly let us engage with the characters other then Wladyslaw and even though Adrien Brody's mournful eyes are haunting, I feel that I only truly understood his characters development and sensitivity through the book. For example, in a beautiful testament to his mother's steadfastness, Szpilman tells us readers how she always kept a lovely home and table waiting for them so that their starving eyes could find a little comfort. But as the months pass, Szpilman's says that the gray in her hair and the wrinkles around her mouth grow more and more pronounced. And later in the book, "The light in her bright black eyes seemed to have gone out, and a nervous twitch ran down from her right temple and over her cheek to the corner of her mouth." In the film, we see his aging mother caring for the family but not through the eyes of Wladyslaw, so it is taken, perhaps, a little bit in stride. Similarly, Wladyslaw's father is differently represented in the film then in the book. In fact his actions are completely dissimilar. In the book, his father, the devoted musician, bows ironically to passing German's, when that mandatory decree is passed. In the film, his father is struck for NOT bowing to two German guards.
Another example of how the book an film differ in perspective is how they deal with the interaction between the German SS Officer Wilm Hosenfeld and Szpilman. The film, though Hosenfeld certainly takes on a heroic light, does not make it clear to us that he is rather a self-hating German. In the book, when asked if he is German by Wladyslaw, he says, "Yes, I am! And ashamed of it, after everything that's been happening." We know that Hosenfeld was actually a great friend to those who were misused by the Nazi's and was full of hatred for the Nazi's and their regime.
One touching scene that both the film and the book brought across equally well in different ways, was when Wladyslaw staggers out of his hideout to fulfill his promise to kiss the first Poles he sees. In the book, it's a Polish lieutenant, but the sentiment still shines through.
What happened to your picture, Ellie?. Goos discussion of the way film tries to deal with the text. Sometimes the text is even more compelling than the visual.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED your noticing of the mother and how Szpilman noticed her aging and her worry lines in the book. It is so difficult to depict these little things within a film, especially when these little things have so much weight behind them. While the film was compelling, heartbreaking and well, good, the book was better, even though Szpilman is not really a writer and just tried to convey his feelings about his experiences.
ReplyDeleteis the picture not showing up? I can see it?
ReplyDeleteI think we get to paint our own picture in the book of what is happening. You read the scenes then you perceive them how you think it should have happen. While the book is very accurate, I still see the movie and putting you in there with the character. This can be only because I do not have a great imagination and learn better from visual aids instead. A few things are different from the book to make it for viewers to stay entertained through the 2 ½ hour movie.
ReplyDeleteGudan: Comment on Rogers’ blog on The Pianist
ReplyDeleteI liked how you pointed out one of the stranger differences between the film and the movie: the incidence of Szpilman’s father bowing. In the film, it was obviously a demoralizing gesture, emphasizing the effects of being marked out as a Jew by the mandated Star of David badge. Seeing the badge, the German soldier wants to exert his power, beating Szpilman’s father, forcing him to bow and walk in the gutter, essentially, showing his subservience. Although this scene was depressing in the movie and served to show the lapse of time and a stage along the dehumanization of the Jewish population, it completely changed the character of Szpilman’s father. Along with the other elements left out of the film about Szpilman’s family, his father’s determination and optimism seem to be completely reworked into something little more than obstinacy and a somewhat benevolent senility. The character seems decidedly weaker, not only in his submission to the Nazi soldiers, but also as the head of his family and as someone who valiantly chose to cling to hope. Although it can be argued that Szpilman’s father’s marked obedience to the Nazis in the autobiography portrays a certain element of cowardice, it was not presented as such by Szpilman. His father bowed to every soldier he met, enjoying almost his strange new position in the world, perhaps with the relish and belief that eventually, he would no longer be the victim to such discrimination. He bows to the soldiers, but he does so in the spirit of taking the higher ground, choosing to obey his oppressors not out of weakness, but out of a stronger sense of self and courage, knowing that he will not allow the Nazis to take away his pride, especially not in something as ridiculous as forced reverence.
The point about Wlady's affection for his mother that shines in the book is well-taken. That is a lovely passage of the book, and I was impressed by how he remembered all his ma did for him amongst the carnage. The way he is able to recall her features, even how they changed throughout the war, is pretty amazing to me. Memories of her is all he has now, so he wasn't about to forget. This would have been very difficult to portray in the film, though, however, because so little of the film takes place before the camps. Also, the actors couldn't truly age since films have short shooting schedules and the makeup department would have to put a whole bunch of effort into marking aging and stress.
ReplyDeleteBooks and movies will always differ in many ways, to keep the audience alert and interested. When we read this book it is very matter a fact, the way it should be being a translation of actual events. I think that the book and movie do have many similar characteristics as well as many differences. For the most part I do see that Polanski does stay on target with Szpilman’s tragic events. All in the end whether it is a book or the movie, I think it is remarkable to have such an accurate account of someone’s firsthand experience with the Holocaust. I know they could be many more, but most would choose not to share, for fear to relive the events over and over. It is because of people like Szpilman that are able to learn so much.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I didn't even go farther in my thought process then the face difference between screen Father Szpilman and book Father Szpilman. But you're completely right; the screenwriter COMPLETELY changed the character which made him substantially less interesting.
ReplyDelete