Hamlet. Poster of the 1948 movie and cover of the 1603 book
VS3
Hamlet
William Shakespeare, 1603
movie vs book
Laurence Olivier, 1948

The action begins on the battlements of Elsinore where a sentry, Francisco, is relieved of his watch by another sentry, Bernardo, who, with yet another sentry, Marcellus, has twice previously seen the Ghost of King Hamlet. Marcellus then arrives with the skeptical Horatio, Prince Hamlet’s friend. Suddenly, all three see the Ghost, and Horatio demands that the ghost speak. The ghost vanishes then, without a word.


Helen of Troy. Poster of the 1956 movie and cover of the -750 book, The Iliad
VS3
The Iliad
Homer, -750
movie vs book
Robert Wise, 1956

Prince Paris of Troy, shipwrecked on a mission to the king of Sparta, meets and falls for Queen Helen before he knows who she is. Rudely received by the royal Greeks, he must flee…but fate and their mutual passions lead him to take Helen along. This gives the Greeks just the excuse they need for much-desired war.


Helen of Troy. Poster of the 1956 movie and cover of the -700 book, The Odyssey
VS3
The Odyssey
Homer, -700
movie vs book
Robert Wise, 1956

Prince Paris of Troy, shipwrecked on a mission to the king of Sparta, meets and falls for Queen Helen before he knows who she is. Rudely received by the royal Greeks, he must flee…but fate and their mutual passions lead him to take Helen along. This gives the Greeks just the excuse they need for much-desired war.