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From the Page to the Screen – The Collector

The Collector is a seminal psychological thriller novel by John Fowles that was published in 1963.  It is considered to be one of the best novels of its genre and a highly influential one. It continues to be admired for its themes, dialogue and characterization. Thus, it obviously got adapted into a film.

THE FILM ADAPTATION

And that film was released just two years later – in 1965. Although nowadays the movie is somewhat underrated and underseen, back then it got great reviews and even a couple of big Oscar nominations. It’s an excellent, underappreciated gem.

PLOT

The book is divided into two sections, one focusing on Miranda and the other on Frederick and their points of view. The movie itself is more streamlined and more focused on its thriller elements. It’s mostly very faithful to the source material with one caveat – the opening and the ending were much more striking in the book.

WINNER – BOOK

CHARACTERIZATION

The characterization in the movie is surprisingly strong. The casting was crucial in bringing these characters to life and particularly Terence Stamp delivered an outstanding performance in the main role. He was so creepy and menacing. It’s a very well realized film in its characters, but the novel obviously developed Miranda much better.

WINNER – BOOK

EMOTION

The novel is shockingly disturbing in its ending and this is where it takes extra points over the movie, but the film is also very moving and riveting in the character interactions and dialogue. I just wished that they didn’t rush that ending as otherwise it would have been perfect.

WINNER – BOOK

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THEMES

Obviously the book is much better than the movie in terms of the exploration of the class divide, the psyche of both characters and the discussions about art and humanity. The movie did the class divide theme surprisingly well while disregarding other important themes.

WINNER – BOOK

TECHNICAL ASPECTS

Fowles was incredibly effective at dialogue, characterization and structure. He wrote the novel with so much raw power and clarity. As for the film itself, it’s fantastic. William Wyler directed it with a lot of style and conviction while the score is superb, the cinematography is striking and the editing is excellent.

WINNER – TIE

BOOK 5: FILM 1

Yes, at the end of the day the book remains better. While the film is technically marvelous and surprisingly faithful, it also failed to deliver in its ending and beginning, though most of it was definitely excellent. The novel is a richer text in themes and substance, but the movie is more visceral and thrilling. Both are worthy of experiencing for sure.