Looking at a film versus reading the story always provides differences in what comes across to the viewer and reader. Watching Cormac’s film The Red Death versus reading Poe’s story of the same name set the stage for a different interpretation of what the plot is about. When reading Poe’s work, one might think about criticism of medieval times or even the wealth class. This film followed those general criticisms, but the differences appear as one begins to analyze the deeper meaning. Poe’s work can go further to symbolize a possible critique of the economic crisis at his time. Cormac on the other hand chose to focus in on religion and love. It is this emphasis that shows how the tools of cinema can convert elements used in written text. Starting out, the Cormac provided a much darker tone for the reader. The ability to orchestrate music as the viewer is introduced to the dusty and foggy landscape provides a better feeling of something ominous. The marching drums and the shadow figures all provide to this. One stark difference is the introduction in this scene of what is assumed to be the Red Death. He is given a voice and a role in this part. The mysterious sense of him as he appears around the time of the…show more content… The viewer is introduced into the town’s harsh conditions whereas the reader is kept out. It is here the innocent character of Francesca is introduced as well as her father and lover. This is also where the viewer is introduced to the sinister character Prince Prospero. His carelessness and poor treatment of the peasants further build him up as the evil person in this setting. It also makes him more real to the viewer than he was to the reader. While Poe’s story was more to show the distance of the wealthy, Cormac chose to have the classes become intimate with each other. Cormac follows the plot not around a masquerade as much as it is his attempts to steal away Francesca for his own
