The Twist: The bulk of the story and several key scenes remain intact, with Denmark swapped for the African savanna, and people swapped for animals (mostly lions).
It's easy to overlook the relationship between "Hamlet" and The Lion King, since Shakespeare certainly didn't invent the idea of an 'evil uncle.' But any theater fan would be able to follow the parallels along: the proud king (Mufasa) is killed 'accidentally' by his evil, power-hungry brother (Scar), and after a time away from the kingdom, the prince and rightful heir (Simba) returns to bring the truth to light. The film even includes the ghostly vision of Mufasa, and Simba's pair of fast-talking friends Timon and Pumbaa (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in the original).
A musical treatment and happier ending, of course, but "Hamlet" nonetheless.Reference: 10 Movies You Didn’t Know Are Based on Shakespeare.
I didn't know that "The Lion King" (1994) was based on "Hamlet," and my first reaction was, Isn't it a bit of a stretch to say that? I just didn't buy the tie between the two. Then, I thought, Shakespeare must've influenced and inspired generations of creatives - from writers and directors, to poets and painters. So the princely Simba may be Hamlet, which writers - Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton - evolved into a lavish African story and a more complete family story.
The Twist: The supernatural elements of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" are re-skinned into an alien world, and sci-fi fans would have no idea they're witnessing a story with elements written centuries before space travel.
Forbidden Planet is remembered for many reasons: as one of the original true science-fiction feature films, its style and imagery helped influence the genre for decades. But the wealth of laser beams and robots help disguise one of the film's main influences - "The Tempest," Shakespeare's tale of magic and revenge, considered one of the playwright's greatest works.
The shift from a remote island to an alien world means that much of the play has been adapted beyond recognition, but major themes and story arcs follow those set down by the Bard. And we can't help but think that Shakespeare's comedy and Leslie Nielsen is a match made in heaven.Reference: 10 Movies You Didn’t Know Are Based on Shakespeare.
I may have seen "Forbidden Planet" (1956) several years ago, but I don't have much memory of it. "The Tempest," if we imagine it from the text, may well be another planet altogether, with its magical landscape and odd characters. Wholly from that planet, Dr. Edward Morbius' "alluring daughter" Alta had never seen a man before, and is apparently so enthralled at meeting Commander John Adams, that we recall Miranda's exhilaration upon meeting Ferdinand, the Prince of Naples:
O, wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has such people in't!
The Twist: Change a shipwreck to a new high school, and Shakespeare's tale of gender-bending, disguises and love triangles is tailor-made for a new generation.
In Shakespeare's original comedy, the young Viola is separated from her twin brother after a shipwreck, and disguises herself as the male Cesario. Eventually acting as go-between for a wealthy Duke and his romantic interest, he/she begins to fall for the Duke, as the Duke's would-be lover develops feelings for Viola/Cesario.
Amanda Bynes takes over the role of Viola' when updated to a high school setting, posing as her brother to play on a boy's soccer team. Although the film didn't garner the same accolades as the source material, Shakespeare can't be blamed for this one.Reference: 10 Movies You Didn’t Know Are Based on Shakespeare.
"She's the Man" (2006) hadn't crossed my radar until now. But it looks to be frolicking fun, based, as it were, on Shakespeare's masterful, gender-bending "Twelfth Night." Is the full film on YouTube?
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