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Movie Analysis : Alive Forever And The Screenplay For The Movie Adaptation Cranes

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Even though Victor Rozov wrote both the play Alive Forever and the screenplay for the movie adaptation Cranes are Flying, the two versions have many differences between them. He made some of the changes to better suit the screen rather than the stage, but other alterations fundamentally changed the theme and focus of the story. All of Rozov’s changes were calculated and precise to influence his audience. The changes were effective, with the exception of the ending, a drastic departure from the source material. However, given the period and levels of censorship, the ending of the film makes sense. Overall, Alive Forever is an incredible play with amazing characters and an impactful story, but it is Cranes are Flying that will be …show more content…

However, they miss each other in the crowd, which adds to the tragedy and empathy of the audience, especially after Boris’s death, which is also in the film. In the play, the audience did not for sure that Boris was dead until Veronica and the family knew. By showing Boris’s death and allowing the audience to know before the characters, the movie creates more sympathy and dramatic tension while watching Veronica hope for a letter and the return of Boris. One of the most important changes that Rozov made to Cranes are Flying from Alive Forever is the implied rape of Veronica by Mark. This change is crucial and is one of the major improvements from the play. In Alive Forever, Veronica explains her unexpected marriage: “…But Mark… In short, I thought I was saving myself… I did something I can’t repeat… terrible…” (40). It is a very ambiguous explanation but Veronica does not imply that she was forced into marrying Mark. However, in Cranes are Flying, it is very clear that it was not Veronica’s choice. In the movie, Veronica has to come live with Boris’s family, including Mark, because her parents died in an air raid. During a separate air raid, Veronica refuses to go to the subway so Mark stays with her and plays the piano especially loud to block out the sounds of sirens. When the bombs start to drop, the windows explode and Mark tells Veronica that he loves her. Mark gets

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