Howl’s Moving Castle: The Movie’s 10 Biggest Changes From The Book

Howl’s Moving Castle, Studio Ghibli’s 2004 animated film became one of the studio’s most popular films. The story follows Sophie, an apprentice in her family’s hat shop who, after being cursed by the terrifying Moor witch and transformed into an old woman, stumbles across Howl’s enchanted castle. to search for answers.

However, some fans may be surprised to learn that Miyazaki’s masterpiece is actually based on British author Diana Wynne Jones’s 1986 novel of the same name, about Hal, the first of three novels. theory. the novel tells the story of Sophie. While conveying the strangeness of the original books to the screen, the film made many changes that set the two works apart in several key ways.

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Updated by Stacie Rook on December 27, 2022: How Do You Live, Studio Ghibli’s next upcoming film, is similar to many of the studio’s other works in that it was inspired by a book. After years of work, Miyazaki’s film finally has a Japanese release date of July 14, 2023. (via ScreenRant.)

Sophie’s family

In the film Howl’s Moving Castle., Sophie has a younger sister, Lettie, who is an apprentice at Cesari’s bakery. However, in the novel, it is important that Sophie is the eldest of three children, who also have two younger sisters, Letty and Martha.

In Ingaree, the setting of the book, Sophie has the misfortune of being the eldest of three children, so Sophie’s older sisters have a much better outlook than her. That was why Sophie was content to stay as an apprentice at the hat shop, and why she was so calm when the witch cast a spell on her, feeling that fate had caught up with her.

Mrs. Suliman

In Studio Ghibli films, Madame Suliman is the main villain. She is the head sorceress at King’s Court and Howl’s magical advisor. The movie Suliman is a combination of characters from two books. First there is Mrs. Pentstemmon, Howl’s mentor – she is not evil – but warns Sophie about the evil that can take root in Howl. She was murdered by a wild witch, a scene in the book that could not be made into a movie.

The second is the sorcerer Benjamin Suliman, the king’s sorcerer, who is sent on a mission into the wilderness when a witch threatens the king’s daughter. After months of convincing the king to release him, Prince Justin went looking for him. Contrary to their film personalities, neither Mrs. Penterstrom nor Suliman have any malicious intent.

Prince’s magic

In the movie, Prince Justin is cast under a spell that turns him into a scarecrow, named Carrothead by old woman Sophie. Justin’s curse is broken by true love’s kiss at the end of the film, and he sets out to end the war.

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However, in the novel, Carrot Head is not a prince and each character exists independently. Instead, the spell cast on the prince was much more terrifying, as he was used as part of the Wild Witch’s plan to create the perfect creature. Given the film’s length, this simplification of the plot makes sense, and it ultimately makes Carrothead a much more important character.

war

shows that some fantasy adaptations are not the same as the original and that war is a very real threat in the world. Howl’s Moving Castle. Movie, it’s an important part of the plot. Howl himself is often in the sky fighting other wizards who have joined the dark side, while he tries to stop himself from following the same path.

However, in the book, war is not central to the plot. Instead, it just mentions that it’s coming, which is why the King needs to find Prince Justin and bring him home. The novel’s version of Howl is not a soldier but uses his guitar to attract women and ward off the Wild Witch.

Black gate entrance

In the film, the black doors of Howl’s castle reveal secrets about Howl’s past, showing how cruel he has become; He offered his heart and saved a meteorite who didn’t want to die. In the movie, Sophie witnessed all of this with her own eyes but the location of the door was completely different than in the novel.

In the book, the black portal takes Hal and Sophie to where Howl grew up, Wales. Real-world locations exist in another world outside of Sophie’s home world, making for an interesting and entertaining sequence. Hal’s true identity in the novel is simply that of Howell Jenkins, a member of the rugby club, along with a sister, niece and nephew.

tick

in the novel Howl’s Moving Castle., Markl changed his name to Michael. Living with Hal and Calcifer as a child after his parents died, he had nowhere to go. Initially, Michael slept in the entrance to Hal’s house because he knew it was safe there but Hal soon took him in.

In the story, Michael is fifteen years old and in love with Martha, Sophie’s youngest sister. However, because Martha does not exist in the film, Michael’s choice to change his role to a boy named Markle is understandable.

The appearance of Calcifer

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One of Studio Ghibli’s most adorable characters, Calcifer’s orange fireball has become iconic, but Howl’s Moving Castle. Book.

Although Calcifer’s appearance was subtly altered from some of the major plot points that were changed in the adaptation, it did change the overall feel of the character. The novel’s description of Calcifer states that the fire demon is green, blue, and purple, with sharp teeth formed from fire. In contrast, the film version of the character is much more accessible, showcasing his humorous role.

Sophie’s power

Although the Studio Ghibli film suggests that Sophie has magical abilities, it does not explicitly say so. On the other hand, in the book, Lady Pentstemmon tells Sophie that her magical powers can break the bond between Howl and his fire demon, and that she can turn life into anything. Sophie speaks to the hats she designs, making them obey certain facts, such as the fact that their owner has married into royalty.

The novel also recounts Sophie’s life with a scarecrow she calls Turnip Head and a walking stick she finds that becomes her magic wand. She is also the only person who can break the pact between Calcifer and Hal without killing them. The novel also explains that Sophie was able to keep the Witch of the Moor’s spell to herself out of stubbornness despite Howl’s efforts to break it.

wild witch

Studio Ghibli has a number of films based on books and comics, so it is used to adapt existing stories to suit the stories the studio wants to tell. The Witch of the Wild is a prime example. In the movie, the Witch of the Badlands wanted to pursue Howl’s heart but her magical powers were taken away by Madam Suliman. She is then taken back to Howl’s castle, where she lives as an old woman.

However, in the book, things are not quite so neat. The wild witch is possessed by her own demons, who have made a contract with her. She wanted Hal’s handsome head to complete the “perfect existence” she had constructed so that he could reign as king and she as queen. The witch hunts Howl with all her might, cursing him that one day he will have no choice but to come to her. She is a truly evil force, and at the end of the novel, instead of being shown mercy, she is killed by Hal.

Sophie and Hal’s relationship.

Although the book and the movie Howl’s Moving Castle. Showing how Hal and Sophie’s relationship develops and in both cases the two eventually come together, each version of the story is a little different.

In the movie, the two get together more smoothly. Although they sometimes get angry with each other, it doesn’t last long. On the other hand, Hal and Sophie argue for much of the novel, and throughout much of the story, Sophie assumes that Hal loves her sister, Letty. However, no matter which version, the two really care about each other and have a happy ending.

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Category: Optical Illusion