Comparing Two Film Version of Of Mice and Men

Comparing Two Film Version of Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is a book exploring into the lives of

two migrant workers, George and Lennie and their dream of one day

setting up their own ranch and as Lennie would say "Live of the fat of

the land". This for men like George and Lennie would allow them to be

their own masters and live a free life away from rules and the ability

to be canned.

Both film versions of Of Mice and Men begin with a chase scene showing

George and Lennie being pursued by a group of angry workers wielding

powerful weapons; however the manner in which they are chased differs

greatly. In the 1939 film starring Lon Chaney Junior and Burgess

Meredith, George and Lennie are chased by men with dogs running on

foot. Earlier in the film there were signs that something bad would

happen. The black mushroom cloud symbolized that a bad event has

occurred and possibly something bad will happen in the future. Also

the rabbits scurry in all directions, just as George and Lennie arrive

running away from the chasing group of workers giving the notion that

all is not well.

On the other hand in the 1981 film starring Randy Quaid and Robert

Blake the pursuers are on horseback and the chase scene is shot in a

field rather than the woods used in the earlier film. Also there are

two points at which George and Lennie in the later film are looked for

by the workers once before they meet with Aunt Clara and once after.

The music in this section suits the action very clearly there is

separate music for both the chasers and George and Lennie which

emphasises the video. Furthermore when George and Lennie return to the

home of Lennie's Aunt the tune "Red River Valley" is played. This is a

song about returning to the place where you feel safe home.

During the chase scene in the earlier film George, Lennie and the

hunting pack of furious workers are never seen in the same shot, this