What FILM Version Do You Think is BETTER than the PLAY?

Okay... USUALLY you love the BOOK more than the movie, or the PLAY more than the movie, etc. (me, too) BUT - what MOVIE(s) have you loved MORE than the PLAY?
Mine's going to be (no doubt) a VERY unpopular opinion. I'd seen Phantom of the Opera (the musical) 3 TIMES before the movie - twice in Dallas and once in Houston. Obviously, those three times (along with the OBC CD) were what made me fall in love with it. Shockingly enough.. I prefer the movie version (I could watch it once a week forever). It's so much more intimate... and I LOVE all the lead players... especially Gerard Butler as the phantom. He brought out feelings in the story that I never even knew were there! I saw Phantom on stage for a 4th time not long ago and it paled in comparison to the movie. I've always been TOUCHED by the stage versions, but I cried at the movie... and still do. I just think it's awesome. No one could change my mind. How about you?? Which FILM do you love better than the play?

Updated On: 5/26/07 at 12:41 AM

Neddy... now THERE is a case where we can agree to disagree! CHICAGO on stage is a full blown musical... but on SCREEN (despite the great actors) I thought it tried REALLY hard to pose itself as NOT a musical... a stage song here, a dream sequence there. I know I'm in the minority (perhaps) but I thought CHICAGO the FILM only PRETENDED to be a musical. Was there even ONE "sing out" sequence? (Well the DVD showed that there WAS one... CLASS... which they CUT for the theatrical version). I hate when people say "That's so unrealistic.... for someone to just "break-out" in a song." HELLO!!! That's what a musical IS! I sure as hell hope HAIRSPRAY breaks out in song! That's what I loved about the MOVIE versions of EVITA, RENT and PHANTOM.... they pretty much kept to the original conception. I don't think CHICAGO did at all! I think it CHEATED!

Updated On: 6/18/20 at 01:27 AM

OLIVER!
CABARET
DREAMGIRLS

---

"I agree with you. The Phantom of the Opera film was an improvement over the stage version. A very unpopular opinion, I know - but one that I defend vehemently".

You're my new best friend! :)

I think you're your own best friend. Just in the stage version, though.

---

But is it a PLAY or a MUSICAL?

---

Well, LizzyCurry, THAT would DEPEND on WHAT you think about this SUBJECT. I think it is a MUSICAL but what DO I KNOW.

I am not a kid... but that's beside the point.
I own the movie. I enjoy LIZA, I just never warmed up to it the way I did the stage show. But I will give it another go, and maybe my opinion will change with time.

---

My Music Classroom Giving Page: https://www.donorschoose.org/MrHMusicRoom

I think CABARET is the most brilliant stage musical-to-movie musical adaptation. Not only did Fosse had the balls to ignore the renowned Hal Prince production and do his own work, but he also managed to get brilliant performances across the board, as well as Oscars for his two stars (why wasn't York nominated?).
Liza Minnelli's Sally Bowles is just...words cannot describe her performance in my eyes, forget the songs--though her performance of the songs is fantastic--but her dialogue scenes, the way she moves, and those big expressive eyes just enthrall me every time I see the movie.

---

Munk, you are actually right, Fosse did nod to Prince's STAGING. I meant more in terms of the whole original production, from the book, to the score, to the casting--save for the fabulous Mr.Grey--Fosse did his own thing, IMO.
I'm glad you agree about Liza's performance, I can't rave enough about it and I believe it is one of the best performances on screen. The scene when she realizes she has to abort the baby never fails to break my heart as well as the "careless" hand-wave that she gives Brian at the station without turning her back.

---

munk and ray, you are both making me want watch Cabaret again. I need to get it on DVD.

---

Well, I'm saving for a trip to New York, so I don't want to spend much money. And my birthday present might be to go to NYC, so...

I did ask for it for Christmas, but I did get Chicago.

It is on my list of DVDs to get, along with Grey Gardens and Passion.

---