Adapting Shutter Island

Adapting Shutter Island into a film

Shutter Island has already been made into a major film, so let’s evaluate other potential adaptions of the novel. I believe outside of just the movie, Shutter Island would make a great television series. It’s suspenseful, and would consistently keep you engaged and furthering your experience in the series. While making an adaption of the novel into a series may seem like an alright idea, it’s important to consider the key elements of the novel, that must translate directly into the series to still contain the heart of the film. As long as the series contains teddy in his puzzled status searching for a lead to answer his sudden, and disturbing mysteries, it will still be a good translation, however I still firmly believe that Teddy being deemed a delusional mental patient is a fundamental aspect of the story, and can’t be rolled out. Shutter Island is a book written with much purpose.

 I feel as if almost every component in Shutter Island has some level of importance, and everything was put in there for a reason. The reason may be to set something else up, or to discover more about a place or character, but because of the book being this way, there aren't many details I would cut. I believe this book could be directly transitioned into a television series. One thing I would add to the book if a transition was necessary, would be a clearer ending that provides more closure. While it’s nice for a book to leave a cliffhanger, typically in a television series I want a clear ending that properly addresses everything that happened in the series, and leaves a good impression at the end of everything leading up to that moment. For casting choices, I wouldn't have a specific preference. I just believe the cast has to really be there role.

 I believe the novel would require outstanding actors to fulfill such developed and profound characters. Leonardo DiCaprio made sense in the film, as he’s such a legend, and could actually live up to such a role. Soundtracks put into a television series involving Shutter Island would have to be dramatic, and suspenseful. If there wasn't riveting music that really gets your chest churning, then it wouldn't fit in with the theme of the book. I don’t have any specific preference in song, but as I said it wouldn't make sense to be anything but suspenseful, or thrilling. The main thing I would attempt to capture is just the gloomy and almost depressing environment the novel establishes.

While a book can do a really astounding job in triggering certain emotions, and really making you feel attached to the book, a motion picture can do that a lot better by utilizing tools such as music, and certain color schemes that a book simply can’t provide.