Cinema - Book vs Film Comparison

Time and time again, people have wondered what was so different about the movie as compared to the book. Why bother to read the book when the movie is nothing more than a filmed version of the book. Well, one suggestion, read the book. It's by far much better than the movie and many things were left out in the movie that I thought were of crucial significance in the book. I will be going through the various differences that I have found in the movie that were not found or left out from the book. I am assuming you have read the novel and seen the movie, so that is the only spoiler warning you will ever get from me. If you know of any others, please let me know!

1. Louis' Mortal Family: In the movie, Louis is said to have a wife and child who died. However, in the novel, Louis has a brother, Paul, who died. I've always thought the death of his brother and the reasons why were more tragic and one of the central focuses of the novel and the entire series...the search for God and the Devil. It has been rumored that the reason they changed Louis to be married is to tone down the homosexual elements. Whatever the case, I've never been sure why it was done. Plus, Louis' sister and mother also were left out in the movie.
2. The Overseer and Louis' Initiation Ceremony: Remember in the novel when Lestat made Louis kill his overseer to show that he was worthy enough to accept the gift? Well, it was left out of the movie. I thought that was an excellent example of why Lestat went about it all wrong to teach Louis how to hunt. However, it was in the original script. Wonder why it was left out? Too gruesome?
3. Lestat's Father: Completely left out from the movie but was a prominent figure in the book. I wonder why he was left out? The mixed cruelty that Lestat showed. It was a rare glimpse into Lestat in the novel. Unsure why it was left out.
4. The Freniere's: The Freniere's were a good section of the novel, especially Babette. Louis fell in love with her. Why was she and the entire clan left out in the movie? Babette was crucial in striking the mortal blow that Louis didn't want to awknowledge.
5. Lestat and Louis scoping at the society ball: That was not in the novel, but it was a nice addition to show how Lestat taught Louis to hunt. However, Louis feeding on the rich lady's poodles, although funny, tended to make Louis appear stupid. And also, no where in the novel did Lestat ever teach Louis to read minds and feed on the evildoers. He does this here in telling Louis to read their minds and he'll see that the lady does a lot of bad things.
6. Claudia and her feeding frenzy: There's a small segment of the movie that showed Claudia feeding on her piano teacher, etc. Although not in the novel, it was a lovely segment. Showed a wonderful family type atmosphere.
7. Claudia cutting her hair: That never occurred in the novel. Gabrielle did that. But it was a nice touch to show Claudia's frustration.
8. Louis in the church and killing the priest: That entire section of the novel was not in the movie. It was a rather nightmarish part of the novel for Louis. It almost represented everything that Louis felt. Perhaps it was too controversial for them to have it in the movie, but it was in the original script.
9. Eastern Europe: Shortened to a few sketches. Left out the whole meeting of Morgan and wife. I guess to keep the movie running faster and not drag.
10. Madeleine: The whole time frame with Madeline was shortened quite a bit. Probably to speed up the movie.
11. Louis climbing the tower with Armand: Not a vital part of the book, but I liked it because it showed how Armand could get Louis to reveal his strength and daring.
12. Lestat's appearance in Paris: Completely left out of the movie (although was in the original script). It was a great section of the novel because at one point you're angry at Lestat for turning them in and then sympathetic for him while he's holding Claudia's dress. Wonder why it was removed from the movie?
13. The appearance of Lestat in Daniel's car: Not how it ended in the novel. Unsure how they'll fit this in the sequel.
14. Blood Tears: What happened to the crying tears of blood? Why did they leave them out? For a guy who did such spectacular special effects for movies like Jurassic Park and Terminator 2, how hard is it to do simple things like blood tears?

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