An Appeal to Hollywood...Less is More

Is it me, or has Hollywood forgotten how to tell a great story in two hours...or (dare I say it?) a scant hour and a half? There was a time when anything in theaters over 120 minutes had better be pretty epic, and the producers made sure that there was an intermission so that the audience could enjoy the last half of the film without suffering full bladders, stiff knees or sore asses. Some films certainly need some time to condense major amounts of material, and they do it well (I'm looking at you Lord of the Rings); but when did comic book films like Spider-Man start needing more than ninety minutes or even two hours? And why does the original King Kong feel so much larger than life when compared to the monstrous three hour remake? If you've got a lot to say, may I suggest the smaller screen? Television is becoming more cinematic all the time, and here is an example where both film and television can achieve great things with the same material.

As I have mentioned before, I am a big fan of the Horatio Hornblower novels written by C.S. Forester, and I must say that I am also a big fan of the film adaptations that have been made of these stories. Up until last night I had only seen the more recent A&E adaptations starring Ioan Gruffudd, but I finally had the opportunity to watch the earlier adaptation that starred Gregory Peck. It is very rare that I feel an equal amount of enjoyment from two very different versions, but these are both delights. Both adaptations have great acting, and the casting is similar enough that bouncing between these two versions feels really comfortable. Both versions also are adept at capturing the lusty, swashbuckling, seafaring adventure that saturates the novels, while at the same time creating compelling dramatic moments that are inherent in times of political and personal unrest.

There was one major difference between these two adaptations, and that is the amount of material covered versus duration. The version filmed in 1951 is a lesson in screenplay adaptation. In a mere two hours, this film covered the major events of three complete novels. While it obviously could not cram in every detail of Hornblower's adventures, I feel that it really accomplished creating an intriguing storyline, character development and arcing relationships. It was well written, and more importantly, well condensed from the novelization. That is not to say that the A&E versions were not, they were excellent adaptations and the amount of detail that they translate from the novel is outstanding; however, after eight different episodes (each clocking in over an hour) again only three novels are touched upon.

There are two great mediums of delivery out there for your stories...one is film, the other is television. I am perfectly willing to sit and follow one large arcing story over an entire season's worth of television (especially cinematic television like Band of Brothers, Deadwood or Rome), but when I watch my movies I like 'em shorter and sweeter. When I sit to watch a television series, I am ready to give you thirteen or even twenty-six hours of my attention, so take your time and pack in the details; but if you decided to make a film, make it tight and treat each little minute with respect, 'cause once you get by that two hour mark I better still be there for a good reason.

Same to same,

Capt. Patrick Henry