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I am a 10th grade English teacher who uses the short novel The Pearl with my classes. Up until I bought this dvd, I had only shown the old 1940's version of this film to my students. They absolutely hated it. This new version, however, is full of life and color. It kept the students attention. It has no inappropriate content, so it's suitable for all age levels. For the most part, it follows Steinbeck's story faithfully. However, there are a few times that this film changes plot points, which I found disappointing. Those who are familiar with the book's bleak ending, will be disappointed to know that the director of this film chose to go with a happier, more Hollywood-esque ending. Overall, I really think this movie would be a great addition to a teacher's video library if he/she teaches The Pearl.Read full review
When I saw there was a new adaptation of John Steinbeck's "The Pearl" I was thrilled. One of the best novellas in his cannon and such a heartbreaking parable to be told. And the script adaptation for this movie version was, to say the least, not thought out very well and sugar coated enough to send you into a diabetic coma. I thought the acting would make up for the bad adaptation, but in fact it just exsasterbated the matter. Lots of "Anglo" actors making like Mexican Indians. It was an insult to the Mexcian people. Lukas Hass and Richard Harris make for a questionable casting choice, but there are other actors in the movie that just fill in space, and do nothing to move the story along. It was like watching a lesson in bad TV acting. In fact this entire movie can be used in film making classes across the globe as an example of what not to do when you adapt a classic novella by a literary giant into a film. Which leads me to the director of this lack luster pearl. The cinimatography saved the director's tale on more than ten occations during the film. And its sad to say the movie is longer than the novella. It seems the director had little say in the editing, because the story moved at a snails pace. And the seemingly confused and at times awkward direction certianly didn't do much to mask the fact that most of the supporting actors can't act. But the real insult to the inury, was how the writer and director took great liberties to sugar coat the moral of the story. Steinbeck wrote a fable that teaches us, that what we deeply want to assure our prosperous future can often have a very high price. Kino the poverty stricken fisherman finds "the pearl of the world" and is an instant celebrity in his village. Soon to be wealthy beyond his dreams, his pearl becomes the catapult for greed, deciet and trechery. Which eventually puts Kino and his family in grave and leathal danger. But Kino's opportunities to rid himself of the "acursed" pearl are dismissed with the reasoning that the pearl holds the future for his child. With no chance of letting up, the men who want to take his pearl relentlasly stock Kino and his family. Leaving them little choice but to flee the village in hopes of reaching the mainland to sell his pearl. But Steinbeck creates a scenario for Kino that shatters all conventions of what we hold dear. In his haste to excape he puts his son in the line of fire and his baby is killed. Ironically fullfilling Steinbecks prophecy that the pearl was indeed the childs future. A high price to pay for wealth beyond your dreams. Kino tosses the cursed pearl back to the sea. A bitter lesson for the ages. And the writer of this film along with the director completely disregard the authors original dramatic climax and create their own "happy ending". After solving a long hidden mystery of the village, the writer has Kino return to the village to expose the true villans and he tosses the pearl into the sea as a warning to all other presumtuious "money mongers". Here the only lesson learned is run for you life or the bad guys will get you. Unless you happen to solve a mystery in which case you can stop running and tell the truth and put bad men in thier place. This movie is a pathetic excuse for a writer and director to get their names on a screen. At the expense of showing this version to school children who will never know the true meaning of Steinbecks classic work.Read full review
I enjoyed this movie interpretation, although, it was not completely true to the book in the ending. It was entertaining & Richard Harris gave a dynamic performance as the doctor!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I really like john Steinbeck and this movie does him justice
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I got this video because my 9th grade students read in for a requirement for high school. The movie is well done however the ending is changed dramatically. It still recommend the movie.
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