What do you prefer a Book or a Movie/film version of a story?

I prefer books than movies, aside from the fact that not all the things written in the book can be done realistically in movies, I also have the choice whether I want to read the book today and finish it, or start reading it today then read few pages every night before going to sleep. Reading books at night helps me fall sleep so I really love reading.

I prefer whichever came first. If it was a book that was made into a movie, then I'd rather read the book. If it was a movie that had a novelisation written, then I'd rather watch the movie. I think the original format would be the most accurate portrayal of the story. Like you said, if the original is a book, the directors or actors' interpretation might not be the same as in the book, and scenes might be omitted or changed. But if the original is a movie, the novelisation might have incorrect or inconsistent extra details.

i too would have to say i prefer a book for similar reasons as many of the mylotters. there is more description in a book and i can feel more, empthasise more with the characters. a movie is nice too but it's short and even if it's long, as someone said, we might not be able to watch a movie within 2-3 hours sometimes because of situations. we might have to cut it short but with a book, we can put it down more or less anytime we want. we can also understand more in a book and it's more detailed whereas in a movie, sometimes we might find it a little difficult to understand what is being said. and also, if the movie is from a book, it might actually be 'summarised' for lack of better word. hehe i mean it might be shortened and if one has read a book already and sees the movie, one might not get as much satisfaction as one would be expecting more.

I actually do both reading and watching the film version. 9 out of 10 times, I prefer the book than the movie. The novel is always better than the film version because the film version usually don't stay 100% true to the novel. The directors always make some minor tweaks and changes. I guess I watch the film version because I always get curious how they interpret the book visually.

I prefer both books and movies. movie versions have limited time while books are complete. books can be taken outside with movies can only be watched indoors. You can finish the story in movies for 2 hours or less than books which depend on your reading speed.

I agree, I feel more involved with the characters in a book than in a movie. Maybe it's the limitation of the movies and the liberties of the book, but I always felt like I am closer to the book version than the movie version. Not only that, I don't like it when things don't happen in the movies as they described in the book. There's also just something so different in reading the words and creating the actions in your mind than actually seeing it onscreen. There was only one movie version of a book that I really like, and that was the original, Swedish version of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo".

I prefer a book too. I like to read the book and then watch the movie though to see how much they made it different than what was in the book. But I get more from reading the book because I know what the author is trying to show through the characters.

I have found that in most cases a book is far better than a movie, having more information in it and being more descriptive. Also the imagination is very powerful and much more productive than the images shown on a screen. Having said that though, I love watching movies as they can be watched in a few hours, as a books takes several days or weeks to read, especially if I am busy. _Derek

I prefer reading a book about the story. Whenever I see the movie based upon the book, too many plots are being cut out from the book. Having plots that are cut out of the book instead of having the movie going by the book makes it less interesting to watch. The movie does not show enough detail that is recorded from the book.

I love to read book but not love to read stories in a book. I prefer to watch the stories in a movie than to read it... Have a nice day!

I prefer both books and movies. In a book I can find more details and helps me understand better certain things. In a movie the subject is more vivid with the help of the actors and scenery. Sometimes the movie changes some details of the book. That's why I prefer both, the book and the movie.

I prefer book than movie. Sometimes movie thats adapted from book not as good as the book. With book ypu can develop your imagination about the character in the book and thats will be more fun than just sit and watch the movie.

I read a lot of books, spent a lot of time, and I loved that, but the first time I watched a move that came from a book that I have read, I became angry for the days I lost reading the book if I get the same watching it on 2 hours.

I much prefer the book, because with the book you get more detailed than in a movie. A movie can only show so much and play for only so long, there is a limitation in the movie. Like the Lord of The Rings, each 3 movies played for 3 hours and still they left out quit a lot of details and stories from the book. So I think it is better to read the book first than watch the movie, that way the movie will only compliment the book.

I prefer a book anyday to a movie because however well taken a movie ism it has its limitations. THe scope is limited. A book offers great scope for development of character and plot and building of sequences. Descriptions in a book are in no way compared to the depiction of character in a film.

For Me,I think it would depend on which format I experienced first..If I read the book first,the interpretation and portrayal of the story on screen can be a validation or a travesty of the original work.Two examples come to mind here, books I'd read and enjoyed for Years before their movies came along,respectively Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy and Frank Herbert's "Dune". Until the relatively recent development of CGI in Moviemaking,LOTR was regarded as unfilmable because of the scope of the Story.I enjoyed the big screen adaptations of this trilogy of books,and bought the DVD's afterwards.I'd still read the books,though! The Movie of Dune,on the other hand,didn't have the effects budget of LOTR,or the same depth or breadth of story development,so it didn't get the critical or popular acclaim from fans of the book.It was also made as a TV Miniseries,which to my mind added a little more to the big screen adaptation,but still,not quite hitting the mark..

The book tends to be better than the movie but it really depends since both could turn out great like the Lord Of The Rings. Great books and pretty great movies too. There's only so much you can do with a movie but that doesn't mean I won't enjoy a movie although I might like the book more.

There are many good things that books and movies can show people. Movies, you get to see what you are actually reading about. Books, you get to use your imagination to decide what the author is telling you about. Personally I really enjoy reading a good book. But i like to watch the movie that is made from books that I have read because it gives you a different insight into what you imagined. I really don't think I enjoy one over the other. Books have plenty more detail to them, but movies have real live action. So, I guess, for me I like them both equally.

i prefer book than a movie, because through books you can exercise your mind more by putting into imagination of what you have read and it's more interesting and at the same time it can widen your english vocabulary by encountering words rather than movies, yah you will enjoy for the fact that it can be visualize,. but there are some facts , or part of the story which is editted and cant be found in the books anymore.. so its kinding revising and original stories are much better..

Even though i don't read much, i prefer the books. When i read a book and then watch the movie, i always think the book is better mostly because the book tells the story completely and you can fully understand what the character is going through while the movie doesn't fully explain what is going on like the book. The movie is more shortened and you really can't get the feel of the characters.