Angelina Jolie arrives at the 2014 premiere of Maleficent

TV NEWS

These Films Tell Totally Different Versions Of The Same Story
By PAUL GAITA
Maleficent & Sleeping Beauty
“Maleficent” is a live-action reworking of Disney's 1959 animated film "Sleeping Beauty" from the viewpoint of its established villain, the evil fairy Maleficent.
"Maleficent" positions the "Sleeping Beauty" antagonist as a magical being spurned and betrayed by Aurora’s father, King Stefan, which leads her to place the curse on his daughter.
Forbidden Planet
& The Tempest
William Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest” has received fewer screen adaptations than “Romeo and Juliet” or “Macbeth,” but none deviate as far from the play as “Forbidden Planet.”
The planet Altair IV replaces the play’s island setting, the monster is an analog of Caliba, and Robby the Robot is a version of Prospero's spirit/fairy assistant Ariel.
My Own Private Idaho & Henry IV
There are plenty of parallels between Shakespeare's wayward royals in “Henry IV” and the characters in Gus Van Sant’s award-winning film "My Own Private Idaho.”
The story arc of the film’s protagonist Scott Favor is similar to Hal's in "Henry IV" and "Henry V'' while the character Mike Waters is an analog to Hal's friend Ned Poins.
Rosaline & Romeo and Juliet
The character Rosaline is such a minor part of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” that she is only mentioned briefly as the object of Romeo’s affection but is never seen.
However, the 2022 comedy "Rosaline" puts her front and center and takes place concurrently with Romeo and Juliet's story.
Mary Reilly & Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Robert Louis Stevenson’s book “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” has more than 100 screen versions, but 1996's "Mary Reilly," tells its story from a unique perspective.
"Mary Reilly" is seen from the perspective of Jekyll's maid — a relatively minor character in the novella — and labored mightily to refashion Stevenson's story as a Gothic romance.