Howl`s Moving Castle Book to Film:

I was just on the phone with a friend yesterday, Steve Brooks ASIFA volunteer and Computer FX guy, and we were talking about Howl`s Moving Castle. Steve loved some of it but thought the ending was strange, just kind of stops.

Since I have just read the book by Ms. Jones I can report that the ending is very much like the book. If fact, the ending is one of the few things that was like the book.

I am the type of reader that gets very unhappy with big changes from book to screen. There are a number of changes here, the war theme is added as is the evil king`s Sorceress and the bird thing that Howl changes into. Hayao Miyazaki made his own work on the bare bones of the book.

Normally this much change between book and film would anger me. Maybe it is because I saw the film first (I planned it that way) or maybe it is because Miyazaki is Miyazaki but I accept the film as it is and judge it as a stand alone work.

The question is, why I can forgive Miyazaki for changing Howl`s and not forgive Walt for changes to Jungle Book? Maybe it is the fact that I read and loved Jungle Book as a kid way before the animation. Maybe that is why I could not look at Jungle Book the film without seeing in my mind Jungle Book the book?

Just what is the responsibility of animation directors to the works that they bring to the screen? I don`t know. I love Jungle Book but there is always this thing about all the changing to my beloved little frog.  ¶ 7:51 AM