Rudyard Kipling and Sir Henry Rider Haggard on Screen, Stage, Radio and Television

By Philip Leibfried

Book Overview

Rudyard Kipling and Sir Henry Rider Haggard--close friends--wrote about adventure and the exotic in very different ways. Examined together, their works illuminate each other. The writings of both have... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786407077
• ISBN13: 9780786407071
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: McFarland Publishing
• Length: 214 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.5" x 0.8" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

The Sun Will Never Set

One of the greatest losses to cinema is the old-fashioned, politically incorrect but thoroughly enjoyable British Empire film that was designed to prove no point other than its value as entertainment. In recent decades John Huston's "The Man Who Would Be King" managed to distill the old and the new sensibilities into a cohesive whole; but alas, the increasing lack of hardy and rugged actors of the caliber of a Sean Connery or a Victor McLaglen or an Errol Flynn have made the task of filming Kipling or Haggard yarns all the more formidable; and audiences are the losers. What Philip Leibfried has achieved here is an immensely readable and enlightening survey that details just how many such films have been made based on the writings of these two authors. The survey goes beyond the films to also include adaptations in other media. The list is staggering: some 110 adaptations all told, each one described (where information was avaliable) with cast and credits, production history, and criticisms. Each of the authors' works is also delineated in a plot summary; and stills illustrate the book liberally. (How the author managed to find some of the more obscure stills remains no small achievement). The lives and careers of both men are also described in some depth in the Introduction. The author's approach is sensible and fair: even the poorest film gets coverage and consideration. Space obviously did not allow for it, but on rare occasion, however, one wishes for an even more expansive approach, as in the case of the 1950 adaptation of "King's Solomons Mines". Because that film was almost unrecognizable as an adaptaion of Haggard, it receives less coverage than most of the other major productions. However, the author is clearly more respectful of the more faithful filmings, and he rightly bemoans the fact that this 1950 film left out the book's fantasy elements, many of its characters, and much of its action and plot. These adaptations of Kipling and Haggard brought forth the best that Hollywood and the world had to offer in order to make them: directors such as John Ford, Victor Fleming, William Wellman, George Stevens, John Huston, and the Korda brothers; and actors of the caliber of Cary Grant, Spencer Tracy, Michael Caine, Deborah Kerr, Ronald Colman and the three mentioned in the opening paragraph; not to mention inimitable players such as Sabu, Shirley Temple, and of course Sam Jaffe, whose heroic and poignant portrayal of the simple regimental "bhisti" Gunga Din remains the most unforgettable of them all.The book is handsomely packaged, on fine paper, with the stills very sharply reproduced. It is the kind of book that can be opened to any page for reading; and for once we have a "Complete List" film book that offers up a healthy serving of fresh and virtually unknown material, both written and pictorial.

Rudyard Kipling and Sir Henry Rider Haggard on Screen, etc.

This well-written and delightful book, a comprehensive guide to the works of Rudyard Kipling and Sir Henry Rider Haggard on screen, stage, radio, and TV, is the perfect gift for both the cinéaste and the casual moviegoer and reader of adventure lore. The stills and posters are great. Many of the scenes come alive in memory. The synopses and reviews are exhaustive. Mr. Leibfried's knowledge of his subject is encyclopedic. His aside on the Haggard-Hayden feud is proof alone of that. A great book for film buffs everywhere.

Recommended for Rudyard Kipling & H. Rider Haggard fans.

Rudyard Kipling (The Jungle Book) and Sir Henry Rider Haggard (King Solomon's Mines) were close friends who wrote popular stories and poems about exotic adventure in very different ways. Their various works have been adapted many times for screen, stage, television, and radio productions. Rudyard Kipling And Sir Henry Rider Haggard On Screen, Stage, Radio And Television is a complete and definitive guide to those adaptations and each original literary work is summarized, followed by a complete filmography and analysis for each film based on a particular story or poem. Separate sections provide information on adaptions created for radio, stage, and television. The informative text material is enhanced further with numerous photographs from films. Rudyard Kipling And Sir Henry Rider Haggard On Screen, Stage, Radio And Television is an invaluable addition to literary and film histories, and an important reference for all Kipling and Haggard fans.