NAME ______________________________ PD ___
Beowulf Movie Guide: Thinking Critically about Film
Changes/Transformations: In the table provided below, track the changes between print text and film text.
When translating text from print to film, consider what has been altered, what has been deleted and what has
been added. You must provide examples of three changes; your three examples do not have to fall under
different “types of changes.”
1. What changes were made between the print text and film text? Briefly describe the scene as depicted in the
written text under “Written Text;” be sure to reference specific lines. Then, describe how the corresponding
scene was depicted onscreen under “Film Text.”
2. What is the effect of the change on the audience? You may want to consider characterization, theme, plot,
cultural influence, religious influence…
Type of Change
Example:
Alterations
(Please do not use this example
unless you have a different
interpretation under “effects of
change.”)
Alterations
Deletions
Additions
Written Text
“[Beowulf’s] hands/Alone shall fight for me, struggle for
life/Against the monster” (ll. 267-269)…”Screams of the
Almighty’s enemy sang/In the darkness, the horrible
shrieks of pain/And defeat…/hell’s captive caught in the
arms/Of him who of all the men on earth/Was the
strongest” (ll. 360-365). Beowulf tears Grendel’s arm
from his body.
Film Text
Beowulf has access to his sword when he fights Grendel;
in fact, his sword can be viewed as a symbol of man
and/or power. Beowulf doesn’t “arm wrestle” the
monster.
In fact, Beowulf finds Grendel’s weakness to be in his
ears. Beowulf uses this weakness to make Grendel equal
in physical stature. The door to the meadhall rips
Grendel’s shoulder off (may revise once I view the film).
Effect of Change (Analysis)
The film version gives some plausible aspects to the story:
once Beowulf brings Grendel down in size, he is able to
beat the monster. Beowulf loses his sense of power in the
film version (Though Grendel’s arm serves as a trophy in
both versions, it is merely left behind in the film, not a
symbol of Beowulf’s strength). Beowulf is more of a man,
destined to commit manly sin and less of a hero who
embodies the strength of the Almighty.
English 3 Honors
Miss Livesey
Identify strengths and limitations of the print text and film text. Provide a brief rationale for each strength or limitation.
Strengths
Limitations
Print Text
Film Text
In a paragraph, answer the question: what is lost and/or gained in translation?
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Golden, John. “Literature into Film (and Back Again): Another Look at an Old Dog.” English Journal 97.1 (2007): 24-30.
_____/25 pts.