Three Movies That Were More Romantic Than the Books

Three Movies That Were More Romantic Than the Books

We have all heard it: The book was better than the movie. While that may be true the movie often ups the romance factor in a good way. Surprising to some, there are actually few instances where the film is more romantic than the original text. Let’s take a look:

Anne of Green Gables
Here are the major differences between the book and the 1985 TV Mini-series Anne of Green Gables. These variances are why the series is more romantic:

• The presence of Gilbert Blythe. In the book, Gilbert is still present but not really as conveniently involved in Anne’s life. For example, Gil isn’t there when Anne falls off the ridgepole or when she is looking for a dance partner at the ball with her puffed sleeves. Bummer.
• Scarlett fever. In the written text we never see Anne sitting at Gil’s side when he contracts Scarlett fever. She also never writes a book and dedicates it to him.
• Gilbert’s other woman. In the book, he acts like he is interested in another girl who is already engaged just to get Anne’s attention…. whereas in the movie he was engaged but broke it off because the other girl would never be Anne.

North and South
I think it’s safe to let each piece (the BBC series and the book) stand on their own as two separate art forms. They are both so perfectly executed, but here is how they differ and ultimately how the series is more romantic:

• Look back at me. That awesome ‘Look back at me!’ scene where Margaret says bye to Mr. Thorton after both of her parents die and she moves in with the aunt…. never happens in the book. Can’t tell which is more heart breaking, the fact that she didn’t look back or that it wasn’t written down as having happened.
• The ending. The final scene in the book where Margaret tries to offer Mr. Thorton all her money to save the mill just happens in an ordinary English parlor, complete with decorative spoons hanging on the wall. While Henry, the lawyer/friend-zoned lover ends up not showing up to help Margaret and Mr. Throton sort out the loan because he is jealous. We’ll take the ending at the train station with Henry gazing in abhorrence at Margaret and Mr. Thronton while they kiss, thanks!
• Richard Armitage. Need I say more?

When Calls the Heart
Fun fact, Jack’s name is Wynn in the books. There are so many reasons the Hallmark ‘When Calls the Heart’ series is good at kicking us in the feels; this is why it is better.

• That mine scene. It doesn’t happen in the book. Jack doesn’t roll in the path of danger to save Elizabeth… and he doesn’t consequently check her knee for injury. You saw her leg, you gotta marry her now, Jack!
• Their courtship. In the book it goes just like this:
  • Girl: Hey, you’re a bachelor?
  • Man: Yeah, I won’t marry because my hypothetical woman would be sad to be a Mountie’s wife.
  • Girl: Don’t care.
  • Man: Marry me! Come with me to the wilderness and never see anyone you care about again. We can make soap when we aren’t starving or freezing to death.
• Loneliness. In the book, Wynn/Jack leaves the girl on her own to starve for weeks on end while he goes around saving people in distress. Not very romantic at all.

Let me know your favorite moments from any of these books or series and be on the look out for the release of ‘The Simple Soul of Susan’ in October!