The only major change in the dialog in the two films, is how modern the second film is, compared to the first film. The 1952 film has the same language as the play, but has missed out some of the more complicated words and sentences. The film is still hard to understand though, as it is in a different style of modern English. Whereas the latest version, obviously still based on the play, has been modernised. But it has kept the older style of English in the funny lines. The latest film also misses out some important lines and scenes, such as; the sarcastic line by Gwendolen ‘You have filled my tea with lumps of sugar.’ This is very funny in the first edition of the play, especially, the way Joan Greenwood says it.
The characters vary in the two films, for example, in the 1952 film; Jack is portrayed as he is described in the play. Jack is very serious in the film, not how you would expect though. He is also a lot quieter and sharper. In the 2002 film Jack was not portrayed as he was pictured, but in different ways he was. Jack was laid back, humorous, and acted like he was the lead actor, which was good. Jack also looked a lot older than he should be, which was interesting, as when the film was newer, the characters looked older.
Edith Evans played Lady Bracknell in the first edition of ‘The Importance of being Earnest’, and she did this exceptionally well. Edith Evans expressed certain words and phrases, such as the famous line, ‘A Handbag.’ Evans stresses these words so well; she comes across as a vicious woman, but in a humorous way. Edith Evans also looked how she was described in the play; not very fat, rather small and with a wicked face, making her look fearsome. In the later film, in 2002, Lady Bracknell is the total opposite to Edith Evans. Judi Dench played lady Bracknell and is short and fat, this also makes her look frightening. Judi Dench did not stress the words, and did not really suit playing Lady Bracknell. Although she does do it well, by breaking into horrified whispers when she is angry, unlike Edith Evans who just shouts.
Also Miss Prism was very fat giving a frightening impression, but in a total different way to Lady Bracknell. Also Miss Prism seemed quite persuasive, this is because her face looks rather frightening. In the 2002 film Miss Prism looks very skinny with a scrawny face, unlike Lady Bracknell in the first film (who was skinny too.) Lady Bracknell was frightening. Anna Massey who played Miss Prism looks very brittle, looking less frightening, making her less persuasive.
The other characters in ‘The Importance of being Earnest’ are not that different, and are kind of portrayed the same. In the 2002 film the characters act different towards each other, compared to the characters towards each other in 1952. In 2002 the characters have more contact towards each other and would kiss and hug, in 1952 this was not appropriate, and therefore the characters hugged less frequently, and rarely kissed.
The costumes and fashion in both films, looked very pretty and in the right era. But between the two films the clothes looked different. In 1952 the colours were quite light, but the right colours. They were also decorated with patterns and were frilly, and in the right era. In 2002 there were not as many patterns on the dresses, but again they seemed to look in the right era. They both had the same kind of colours. The suits in the 2002 film seemed very modern and were the only thing that did not look in the right era.
In 1952 the whole filmed ass set inside, so everything was fake in the film, but it looked in the right time setting. Everything looked more detailed, making some ornaments look over the top. But the detail was good when it was needed, such as on the tables. The 2002 film was very different as it was filmed outside; this made it look more realistic and better, although sometimes more detail was needed. Where the 2002 film was set, looked like a perfect place for the era that was needed.
The colour in the 2002 film was very natural, due to the fact it was set outside. The film is still quite bright like the 1952 film, but the 2002 film is more colourful in places and in a different way to the older film. In the 1952 film it was filmed inside, making the colour artificial and very sharp. There are also more modern colours in the film, which is strange as it is the older film.
In the 2002 film of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ it was set outside, so even though the lighting was very modern it was neutral and natural too. In 1952 the location was inside making an obvious difference, to the lighting of the film. The lighting was very bright and sharp, partly because it was artificial lighting.
The sound in the original film, in 1952, was rather basic. It did not seem to have many sound effects, apart from some background music sometimes and some little sound effects. There were not many songs, mainly just speech, which was rather complicated and a lot more posh, compared to the modern film. The other sound effects were little things, such as the opening and shutting of doors. Also, when Cecily dropped the lump of sugar into Gwendolen’s tea, this sounds very realistic. In the latest version, in 2002, it is a lot more modern, so the sound effects are a lot better. Also the film was set outside, so therefore little things like the wind and rain, and the sound of leaves dropping sounded a lot better and realistic. Also like the 1952 film the opening and shutting of doors was very good. There was quiet a lot of background music, with a regular song being sung every now and then, even by the actors themselves.
The movement of the camera in the latest film, showed lots of movement, and was never stationary for long. It had many good long shots, such as; the scene on the balcony, when Jack and Algy pretended to like each other, to cecily and the others. After strangling each other. There are also some close ups, but not as many as in the first film. The first film is very stationary, but obviously being filmed in side, there was not as much space for longer shots.
In conclusion, I feel that each film was good in different ways. I personally preferred the 2002 film, as it was ‘up-to-date’ and I could understand more of it, and I found it rather funny. But I also like the first film, as Edith Evans (Lady Bracknell) was very funny, and the film had some hilarious scenes in. I think both films are worth watching and the older version is more for adults, whereas the younger film is more for teenagers or young adults. I would class both films, as a ‘film to watch’.
