Incorporating Media into the English Curriculum
Movies are a great way to gain some brownie points with your students. Who doesn’t like a movie day? There are countless movies which have either taken inspiration or have been directly adapted from novels. These films often include the same characters, events, and themes as their novel counterparts. Films are a great way to introduce a novel, as it gives students an easier time visualizing when reading, while also giving them context to the events taking place. Consider adding one of these films which have remixed classic English literature.
Classic Novels on Film
“A series of events change the orphaned Pip's life forever as he eagerly abandons his humble origins to begin a new life as a gentleman” (imdb.com). This three-episode BBC mini-series takes many elements directly from the original novel, including the characters, events, and themes. Rated PG-13
“The classic story of Romeo and Juliet, set in a modern-day city of Verona Beach…although it is set in modern times, it is still the same timeless story” (imdb.com). While Shakespeare’s original did not include guns and car chases, this 20th century remix gives a new take on the timeless classic. Rated PG-13
“Vishal Bhardwaj's adaptation of William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', Haider - a young man returns home to Kashmir on receiving news of his father's disappearance” (imdb.com). This Indian Hindi-language film gives an intercultural look at a classic play while including the original theme. Rated GB-15 (UK)
