Theatrical Adaptation

11-3-06 #9

Cradle Will Rock brings up more than just the telling of a historically story. Not every historical film is entirely accurate; in fact, most are modified to fit the story rather than the truth of what happened. I think that is perfectly okay. It is not a requirement that a film about the Great Depression be entirely accurate unless it is to be used for educational purposes. A story about history is generally using the story of what happened to convey a point or a message in a way that people can relate to. Cradle Will Rock tells the story of people who are looking for work and all come together on the project The Cradle Will Rock. The characters must decide to do what they believe is right when the union tells them they cannot perform after funding for the FTP was revoked. The characters show that you should promote what you believe is right, like performing a play with a message that they support, even if it means losing your job. I believe this movie was not made to tell the story of the production of the play, but to convey a point and support the point that you should stand up for what you believe in no matter the cost. A historical movie is not about telling the story about what happened, and that is why in many cases it is the recount of one person that no one has ever heard of and their story, with a message. People can relate to things that have happened in the past, they know about them and they may have been involved or know people who were, the history just gives people something to relate to in the story. I think that the use of history to convey a point is a good idea and that it is perfectly okay to revise true history to fit the story.

posted by Ann @ 4:34 PM