Beowulf: Book vs. Movie by Hannah Transier

In Beowulf's transformation from a book to a movie, many changes were made, which is common when books become movies. It is usually done to create a bigger appeal to the film watchers and make it more interesting.

One example of this in Beowulf, is the representation of Grendel's mother. When the beast Grendel's mother is described in the book, I was personally picturing just another beast, except older and of course female. But I did not expect a gold covered Angelina Jolie with high heels for feet. And I definitely did not expect her to be seducing Beowulf in one scene.

Another example of this is the character Beowulf. From the book's description, I was expecting a young, 15 or 16 year old boy, who was a little scrawny but still tough. But in the movie, Beowulf was a large, middle-aged man. And despite the fact that Beowulf never used any weapons or anything to help him fight in the book, he used things around him such as a chain and a door, to rip off Grendel's arm in the movie. Even though it was different. it did make the scene much more interesting and exciting to watch.

So although these examples of changes are very subtle ones, they are still significant. They show how, when books are changed into movies, things must always be altered. And additions such as a classic Hollywood love scene, or an actor who is nothing like the book character, must be put in to enhance the story for the film watchers and make it more theatrical.