As a clear influence on "Frankenstein", why was not Mary Shelley listed as a writer? It`s not like they tried to hide or ignore the book as they called it "Frankenweenie" for god`s sake... Instead Tim Burton is listed as "original idea", and that is not true. Unless if you count exchanging a character into an animal as an original idea. Catula! Dracula as a cat. There, I did it too...
shareCrocula flows better, if you ask me.
You said it yourself: it's not like they tried to hide it. Everybody knows this movie is based on Frankenstein.
Listing her as a writer wouldn't make sense, because she didn't write this movie. But I agree that if there's not some sort of acknowledgement in the credits, maybe as a special thanks or something like that, there should be.
I wouldn't have a problem with a traditional "Based on the book by Mary Shelley" in the credits, but you have to admit that most times you see that credit in a movie, it's because that movie is just a movie version of that book. Lord of the Rings, Jaws, whatever. And there will be minor differences here or there, largely because they have to make it way shorter, but it's mostly just bringing the page onto the screen. Frankenstein to Frankenweenie is a much, much, much larger leap. It basically only retains a loose outline of the book. The rest is a new movie. So I don't have a problem with them not saying it, either.
For the same reason George Lucas wasn't credited as the writer of Spaceballs.
shareIt wasn't really about her book, but more about the old movies from the 30s-40s but they did reference her in the movie.
shareHave you read the book? Even the 1939 film or whenever it was made took a big leap from the book.
Other than creating life and the names of the characters.....it's not the same story at all.
It's an homage to the Frankenstein films more than anything but I feel comfortable calling it an original story by Burton.
I wouldn't be opposed to a "Characters inspired by Mary Shelley's Frankenstein" credit or something, but obviously not as a writer.
Only one Character has anything to do with her book. lol
shareVictor Frankenstein and to a lesser extent the dog as "the creature" - but I guess that's true.
I would not be opposed to a "character/story inspired by..." credit to be more accurate.
Hasn't Shelly's Frankenstein passed into public domain at this point? I think after a while, some works do.
There would be no need to put her name anywhere near it, if so. If not, again, as stated, she didn't write the movie.
Being out of copyright helps.
It's that man again!!