ROALD DAHL ON FILM
News arrived today that directors Alfonso Cuaron (Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban) and Guillermo Del Toro (Hellboy) are going to join forced in bringing Roald Dahl's The Witches to the big screen. Now, I'm not against this in the slightest, because the prospect of these two directors working together on a story as potent as The Witches can only be good for audiences, but... The Witches was already made into a movie by Nicolas Roeg. In 1990. Just 16 years ago!
So technically this is another remake of a Dahl story, and we've already had one of those last year with Tim Burton's Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. But, the previous version to Burton's movie was 1971's Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. I think a 33 year gap between remakes it a decent space of time to ensure you're not just regurgitating stuff to the same generation. I'm guessing that the kids who saw The Witches (1990) will now be in their late-twenties, so perhaps a 2007 version is justified...
Anyway, the real reason behind this post (oh yes, there is meaning in the madness) is to take a quick look at Roald Dahl movie adaptations. The highs, the lows and the books that remain unfilmed...
For me, Roald Dahl is still my favourite children's author. Like anyone, once you move into adulthood you rarely read children's books, so your favourite children's author usually stays the same for life. These days that line is being blurred more and more, thanks to J.K Rowling and her Harry Potter money-spinner (and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, too) but by and large your childhood choice is for life...
Roald Dahl will always be my favourite. Such a shame he died. I remember being genuinely sad for the death of a celebrity -- for probably the very first time. Just knowing that there would never be a brand new Roald Dahl book in the school library was heart-breaking! Every one of his books was a delight to read, although I admit I never read all of them (and still haven't, truth be told). But all the "core books" he's most famous for... consider them read!
Quite a few of Dahl's books have made it to the silver screen. Most notably are the two Charlie & The Chocolate Factory adaptations (1971 with Gene Wilder - iconic and great fun, to 2005 with Johnny Depp -- visually superb, satisfyingly sinister). Dahl's written sequel, The Great Glass Elevator, has never been adapted into a film, though. Perhaps deservedly, as I remember finding the book quite far-fetched and disappointing, but still great fun at times.
Matilda was a recent adaptation in 1996 by director/actor Danny DeVito. It relocated the events to America, which actually worked quite well, and had a perfect cast -- most notably DeVito himself as the slimeball father, Mara Wilson as gifted Matilda and an excellent Pam Ferris as the frightening Miss Trunchbull. Matilda was a more standardized Dahl book in many ways, perhaps more nuanced and less inclined to veer into surrealism. Great book, good movie.
Danny The Champion Of The World is often overlooked by Dahl readers. The film version in 1989 with Jeremy Irons wasn't much of a success, but it did a pretty good job of translating the book's tone and story. I particularly remember reading Dahl's book in the mid-80's and found it to be a "proper" read. There were no ridiculous names and bizarre events -- just a down-to-earth family adventure. A great bridge between childhood and teenaged reading. Excellent book, okay movie.
The Witches. A favourite of mine. I remember being particularly pleased to actually read a book with over 200 pages! It was also superbly detailed with all its ways to spot witches -- great stuff for kids to read. Nicolas Roeg's 1990 film was an excellent translation (it even kept the British setting, unlike other movies). The only fault with the movie was the happy ending. The book was beautifully downbeat. But I can forgive that decision thanks to some excellent casting -- Angelica Huston owned the role as The Grand High Witch.
The BFG. Another favourite, although as the years pass by it somehow loses its mystique because adult logic comes into play. How can a giant give everyone dreams in one single night? Where is this land of giants exactly? How do giants go undetected at night? Blah, blah, blah. But when you're ten, none of that mattered. The best thing I remember is the sense of mystery and the brilliant central character of the BFG. And, yes, there was a film -- albeit animated by Cosgrove & Hall (Danger Mouse). I actually enjoyed the film when it came out, but time hasn't been kind. There are rumours of a live-action version from Python's Terry Jones, though...
James & The Giant Peach. I never really understood the book, to be honest. It was a bit too weird for my taste at the time, although memorable in parts. The movie was interesting with its stop-animation by Henry Selick, but it didn't hold my interest.
So what about the other Dahl books that haven't made it to cinemas? Well, an animated version of Fantastic Mr Fox is nearing completion (I remember enjoying an audio version of the book, having never read it), plus a new version of The Witches as mentioned above. I'm certain George's Marvellous Medicine will probably never happen (it is about poisoning your grandmother, after all!), but I'd love to see The BFG on the big screen sometime soon...
What's your favourite Dahl book and movie?
