Fiction Adaptation: War Adaptation Example

To help me understand how exactly to create a short film adapting to a war poem, I looked online for any example which could relate to my work.

The first war adaptation I came across was on an adaptation of the poem 'Remembrance by Siegfried Sassoon. Although this isn't produced by a professional/known producer, this is still an adaptation of the first world war therefore it'll help me create an understanding on how exactly to adapt something. It was created by someone called 'RobAtEvil' (his YouTube name) in 2009.

Below is a link to the adaptation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4CIHL1chyA

My Opinions/Evaluation

General Thoughts

My initial thoughts of this adaptation were reasonably positive. You can feel the emotions through the visual and sound which refer to the poem itself, as it is about the remembrance for those who had fallen in the first world war. The visuals itself work together with the narrator - they help to explain what the poet is talking about as well as adding extra emotion.

Symbolism/ Visuals

The adaptation has clear evidence of symbolism. It begins by showing flames, which then transposes into iconic imagery of the war e.g. the tank's gun, graveyards, etc. This instantly tells the audience that the poem is post the war, thus referring to the title 'remembrance'. This is reinforced by symbolism e.g. the flame connotes danger and pain, creating emotion for the poem by reiterating the harshness of the war.

This is shown throughout the short film and clearly develops this theme of remembrance by showing iconography relating to death (e.g. remembrance wall). Theres even reference to religious connotations which dramatically enlightens the desperation of the war, and even how people are asking for forgiveness/farewells.

Additionally, theres no confusion about what the poem is about, as there is frequent archive footage throughout the short film relating to the first world war.

Sound

Similarly, the sound also works well with portraying the poem. The sound of the tank approaching is almost instantly recognisable by the audience that danger is approaching, (linking to the use of the flames) which then changes to the soundtrack becoming more soft and touching. It is completely diegetic - the soundtrack becomes soft when the poem becomes more emotive. This is similar to the visuals which too relate to the poem.

The poem's sound then ends with a high-pitched singing voice which too relates to the visuals - it shows statues of jesus which to me gives this singing voice almost the representation of 'the voice of God', or heaven, or anything which people would say religious, etc. Thus, the sound generally conveys the emotions of the poem whilst remaining diegetic.

Narrator's voice

The narrator's voice too works well for the poem. The poem is spoken very slowly and clearly however the deepness of the male's voice helps to intensify the emotions of the poem, making it seem more dramatical. In a way, his accent sort of relates to the time the poem was set.

Conclusion

To conclude, this has helped me in a way on how to visualise my adaptation of the poem. Nonetheless, I felt that this adaptation doesn't really have a story, which to me limits the emotive side of the poem. This is where I think that my poem will generally feel more dramatical yet emotive as I'm focusing mine on a story - as if it is true and based on someone's experience.

Therefore, I will continue to look at other war adaptations so I can gain a better understanding. Whilst doing this, I will begin structuring my script and adding in ideas which I have already planned.

Narrator: Diegetic: mentions tank, has a tank sound (potentially). 'Jesus', shows christ
Pace