ELA 10 FILM PAIRING ANALYSIS ESSAY
Each film analysis essay is due two weeks after the unit ends.
Purpose: As you may already be aware, educators often pair films with curriculum materials in
order to provide students with an opportunity to explore a unit’s themes and topics using another
medium. Literature especially lends itself to these “pairings” and comparisons. Unfortunately,
there is not nearly enough time to incorporate all of the potentially valuable films into the school
year. This assignment is designed to provide opportunities for extended exploration of any unit
that you find particularly engaging.
Overview of Assignment: Below each ELA 10 curriculum unit, you will find a list of films that
can be “paired” with that unit. Select a unit from our curriculum and choose one of the films
listed below it. Read through the essential questions before viewing your film. Remember,
essential questions do not have a specific answer, but rather require you to think critically about a
topic and make your own evidence-based argument. After viewing the film, choose one of the
essential questions as your “prompt” and use it to form a thesis that includes both the literature
and the film. Write a 2-3 page, typed MLA formatted essay that analyzes the connection between
the literature and film with your essential question in mind.
Note: Many of you will be tempted to overthink this one, as this assignment allows for a lot of
freedom and asks you to find your own connection. Challenge yourself to trust yourself! These
are higher-level questions, so any connection you can find and explore is something unique that
you would not have encountered in our usual curriculum, and therefore worthwhile.
Remember that you need to discuss your film choice with your parents/guardians carefully,
including ratings (many of these movies are not rated) and any mature or graphic content,
with your parents/guardians prior to watching an R or unrated film.
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ELA 10 FILM PAIRING ANALYSIS ESSAY
Fairy Tales
Essential Questions: What purpose do fairy tales serve in society? How has modern day
society changed the purpose and effect of fairy tales? How are the changes in fairy tales
reflective of changes in society, especially in regard to gender and childhood? How does
representing this fairy tale in the form of a film impact the characterization and/or plot?
How are worldviews and societal values depicted differently in this retelling than in the
historical and traditional versions we have read in class, and why?
Film Ideas:
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Any Movie directly based on a Fairy Tale (think Disney, Pixar, Tim Burton)
The Wizard of Oz
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Ever After
Edward Scissorhands
The Princess Bride
Robin Hood
The Brothers Grimm
The Snow Queen
The Chronicles of Narnia
Legend
Labyrinth
Alice in Wonderland
Howl’s Moving Castle
Ella Enchanted
Ladyhawke
The Neverending Story
Penelope
Ever After
Willow
The Dark Crystal
Hook
A Long Way Gone
Essential Questions: What assumptions about childhood do we hold as a society? Do
these assumptions change across cultures? What does this suggest about the reality of
childhood versus our American perceptions? Compare the image of childhood portrayed
in the novel and film to the view of childhood that exists in American society. How does
the theme of the loss of innocence reinforce or challenge our perception of childhood? Is
one vision more accurate than the other? How do the novel and film challenge American
views of childhood?
Film Ideas:
 Any film that portrays child soldering, or in which a child soldier gives testimony. Please be extra
careful in considering the degree of mature and graphic content when making your choice.
 Soldier Child
 Innocent Voices
 Ezra
 God Grew Tired of Us
 Lost Boys of Sudan
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ELA 10 FILM PAIRING ANALYSIS ESSAY
Night
Essential Questions: How is the experience of childhood/adolescence impacted by
severe forms of ethnic, religious, racial, or other oppression? Compare the perspectives
and experiences of the protagonists in the film and the novel. How does the experience
of the Holocaust impact these characters differently?
Film Ideas:
 Any film about someone who has experienced the Holocaust, from either side.
 Schindler’s List
 The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
 The Last Days
 Anne Frank’s Diary
 Europa Europa
 Life is Beautiful
Kite Runner
Essential Questions: How are relationships affected by ethnic, gender and/or class
prejudice and oppression? How do these relationships impact the character’s
development and life choices? How do characters negotiate gender, ethnic, and/or class
boundaries? What difficulties do these characters face and how do they ultimately find
redemption?
Film Ideas:
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Films that focus on firsthand experiences of prejudice or oppression and the search for
redemption.
My Name is Khan
Slumdog Millionaire
Atonement
Escape from Taliban
Last Samurai
Macbeth
Essential Literary Question: What is the relationship between gender, and
power?
Film Ideas:
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The Lion King
Scotland, PA
Men of Respect
The Last King of Scotland
Maqbool
Throne of Blood
Scarface
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