the first time I watched this with friends for a movie night I was absolutely reveling in how unapologeticaly fantasy tropey it was, and when Tristan and Yvaine got stuck on a cloud I said out loud "bet you money this is when the sky pirates show up." I couldn't parse the look my friend shot me until the sky pirates showed up ten seconds later -R
That's great, I had a very similar experience watching Iron Skies. One of the buddies watching with us had been pretty obnoxious the whole night, and when we put the movie on, he could not stop fawning over how much better it was than other movies, since it had a black hero. I just smiled and said "no shot the nazis let that slide, watch they're gonna turn him white" The one guy who had seen it just froze and stared at me 🤣
When you commented that Shakespeare was film-only, I was shocked. They just... added the wholesome crossdresser in 2007? Anyway, this film is one of those things you watch as a child and it sticks in your head forever. I might have to watch it again
Yeah, I watched the movie first and got my grubby little hands on the book second and, while I like the book fine, I was so shocked that he wasn't in the book. I actually had to go back and reread that section three times before it settled in my brain. Though silly and a little wholesome, Captain Shakespeare still feels like a zany character Gaiman would have come up with in another story.
This is how I feel about Howl's Moving Castle as well. I read the book first and it became my all time favorite book for years and then I saw the Hayao Miyazaki adaptation and really enjoyed it as well even though it changes quite a lot from the book.
My fun Stardust fact for you all: The opening line of the movie "A philosipher once asked, are we human because we gaze at the stars or do we gaze at them because we're human?" is often misatributed to Neil Gaiman online. It was actually written by Jane Goldman, who did the screenplay for the movie along with Matthew Vaughn.
I only saw The Princess Bride in my adult years and it certainly holds up. I really enjoyed it despite never having seen it as a child so it's good to know it's a good film on its own without it relying on nostalgia
I actually liked the witch's defeat in the book. By falling in love with Tristan, the star has given her heart away. That's what places it beyond the witch's power to take. Also, although she isn't defeated in the book, she has a great line where she says the acorn has not yet been planted that will grow into the oak that will be cut down to supply the wood that will be shaped into the cradle for the baby who will grow into the hero who will kill her. Shortly after this, we're told a squirrel goes off to plant an acorn.
I’ll say this. It is difficult to write Action in a book. The only way around this problem is through short one-on-one exchanges. Or skipping the Battle altogether. That over have a character going through their own battle away from the rest of the fighting. Bilbo getting knocked out, Verbal Metaphors, and like what was done here…subverting expectations with Fairy-tale/Fanciful logic.
That's some nice prose but from a narrative perspective it's more hot waffle on how they're just going to chill in their den until they get shanked because they're basically a bag of bones at that point.
@@danielramsey6141 I fond that R.A. Salvatore, the creator of Drizzt Do'Urden, writes fantastic, elaborate action scenes. Honestly, of thruvwrre ever to make a film adaptation of a Drizzt book, all a fight choreographer would have to do is pick a scene and say "Okay, let's just do this."
@@truefanforum3273 oh god no. The fight scenes were just so damn wordy that I honestly started skimming them. I went back to them after I learned how to animate a bit and try to key frame it and it just ends up a mess. Sometimes being too detailed is a detriment and derailment of an otherwise good scene.
One interesting thing to note is there is an alternate ending they filmed that is slightly closer to the book's ending in that Tristan does not become immortal alongside Yvaine. They still use the Babylon Candle to become stars, but this time it's because Tristan is an old man on his deathbed.
True story: I watched film years ago and so decided to get the book in audible recently. I always had the impression this was a book for all ages considering how campy the film was. It really did throw me off guard when a detailed sex scene started happening, especially in the author’s calm voice.
I was working in a bookshop when the film was released and a man came in with his young daughter for a copy of the book. They were going to read it together. I advised he read it first and then he could skip the inappropriate scenes!
I got the book since I am a fan of the movie, expecting it be more different but nothing else. The amount of times and the detail of characters doing their business soured my experience. I also disliked the ending and implications of Evanne being stuck on earth for all eternity. Also: building the witches up and doing nothing with them, building the princes and Septimus up and then just having them all die and just leave - with Septimus death being insulting. Tristan's mom feels more like a "I live loosely and seduce a human for fun because I'm magic" when that guy was happily in love with someone else. I don't care about realism, it makes her seem awful as both a mother and partner. The world of Stormhold felt more mysterious, mystical and forbidden in the movie than the book. The people of Wall were all able to just go beyond the border and engage with the magic people. The only thing I liked was Victoria and her being more nice. Although I liked the way she was in the movie too. There was little to no build up to Evanne and Tristans love. And dear God, I can't help but repeat myself - I don't need to know that living beings are taking dumps. Other books only draw attention to that stuff when it's in some context, trying to showcase circumstances or anything. Edit: Short version, I don't like the book. And I wouldn't have liked it even if It had not seen the movie first. I'd rather read twilight than that.
Stardust gets my award for "most artistic drowning" and the choreography in that movie is just... chefs kiss perfect. The pirate fight layering is just amazing.
I do as well. I never knew that it was a book first. I think that I prefer movie. Only because life happens to all of us. I really don't have time to read all the fairytale books I'd like to read. There's other books (records of the Hebrews) that weren't including when making the Bible that should be reading instead.
Regarding the whole "climax being set off by the romantic leads having a misunderstanding" I do have more patience for this example than others because 1) Tristan tried to be clear about what he meant but it got lost in a game of telephone, 2) they don't have an argument about it, and 3) while it is a domino that leads to the climax is wasn't the only moving piece so it's not like the end of the movie was 100% avoidable. I don't love that trope either, but since it's far less egregious than other examples, I'm willing to forgive it and enjoy the movie.
Unlike in other stories that use that trope, I also feel like here it does kind of follow out of the logic of the story instead of being tacked on artificially to create conflict for its own sake. The whole time they _are_ trying to get back to the other side of the wall because Tristan wanted to get back to Victoria, so even though things change along the way, that part of the original goal remains unchanged (Tristan does go back to Victoria), so it makes more sense that Yvaine gets misled easily, and they are separated at this point in the story. Basically the events that are plot-demanded by future events do follow from past events here, instead of being forced in purely because of future events. 😊
Yeah, I think that’s why it doesn’t annoy me. Not only is it not unreasonable to assume that the final climax would happen either way, but the reason it happens is actually believable. He’s a man of his word and wants to keep his promise of giving Victoria her gift in the most conceivable way he can, even though he no longer loves her and wants to tell her he’s not longer interested instead of just showing up with a strange girl and dropping that on her, which I think is awfully considerate of both women. Also, that inn keeper did not want to be awake so early so I can see why he doesn’t want to search for paper and why we he care about the context of it? He’s just doing his job. So yeah, it’s not the characters suddenly being dumb nor a contrived set of circumstances. It feels like a genuine mix up that could’ve easily happened with anyone because that’s happened to everyone with a message at least once. Plus it isn’t drawn on forever like most writers seem to do. It’s not for the melodrama it’s a well written plot device so that either Tristan doesn’t get bodied by Witch Queen during her cut off at the wall, giving him the element of surprise or causing the Witch Queen’s defeat to be too easy and anti-climatic.
I absolutely love Stardust. Movie is a pretty good lazy sunday morning flick. To me it is very reminiscent of Princess Bride and I would love to see more books or movies like this. Thank you Dom for covering this film!
When I read the book, I got the distinct impression that Gaiman was playing with the expectations most people would have for a fairy tale. Like, write a story in which a star falls to the earth and is going to fall in love with our main male character, and people will expect a goddess-like creature, wise, beautiful, pure, in a word : perfect. Instead, she has plenty of flaws, she has a temper, she is willing to fight, and her very first word is "f*ck", which is absolutey hilarious ! People will expect the usual awesome sword fight in the middle of the epic climax, but no, instead, there is no climax, things just resolve by themselves, and poof! there's no problem anymore. And then you think "Well, at least the new king and queen are on the throne, now, and everything is better for everyone", but no, they don't feel like it, so they let the mother in charge and procrastinate for a decade before finally deciding to come back. All the choices in the book were very deliberately subverting the usual fairy tale tropes. I absolutely love it ! The movie made different choices, going for the epicness rather than the subversion, and I love it just as much. They're pretty different in tone and sometimes in plot, but both are very good, and I'm glad they both exist ! Thank you Dom :-D
Idk if it's because I watched the movies first, but I still stand that Stardust and Howls Moving Castle are both movies that are perfect companion pieces to the books they adapt.
@@frostfang1well said. I feel like book a movie somehow are so different, yet both do a brilliant job telling stories with similar themes and a few shared plot points, but otherwise they are both beautiful stories in their own right with little in common.
The surprise of non-homophobic pirates was so heart-warming and funny... hats off to the writers and director. However, I'm almost sure that in a decade or two, people will come after this movie and try to cancel it because they don't like its portrayal of gay characters. And I say this as a gay man. Nothing is safe from the internet's cancel culture!
I honestly think the lack of culmination makes the book so much more romantic, heartfelt, and humane, at least in my eyes. Yvaine saying her heart doesn't belong to her anymore just gets me every time. Also I adore Gaiman for not making Victoria a generic high school bully, instead making her a compassionate, loving person, feeling torn about how she was with Tristran. So much better than any swordfights.
Details like that are the reason why I could not really enjoy the movie, there was something unique about how it approached it's conclusion and the characters.
one of the greatest moments in the movie is at the end, when Victoria realises that the man she chose is also into men. It only lasts for a couple of seconds, but it was GOLD. Pure gold.
I feel like the approach Neil Gaiman himself took with the movie really allows me to enjoy both the book and the movie fully - by simply viewing one as an alternative universe to the other
I love how they showed the difference between compatibility and infatuation. Victoria strings Tristan along while being engaged to another man, taking advantage of his lust for her. However, Yvaine is more his equal, and also goes on the quest, getting to know him much better.
Why does no one talk about how awesome the possessed prince fight was!? Between the awesome scene where he drowns without stepping foot in water and than the amazing choreography with him fighting dead it's seriously so cool.
@@GriffinPilgrim Amazon did a very loose adaptation. If you're a die-hard fan that needs the world building and characters to be as close as possible it's not for you. If you're looking for loosely inspired fantasy epics... it's just okay. It suffers from poor pacing (a problem faced by many shows in the 10-13 episode format) and they put so much emphasis on an added mystery element that they fail to establish who the lead is.
I LOVE DeNiro's Captain in this movie. He's so ... adorable! :D That whole setting made me grin constantly during the scenes on the ship. The Captain being a nice, sensible guy who just plays the hardass for appearance's sake alone was great already, but the final punchline then made me go "Awwwww!". How COOL is that "Well, Captain, we kinda knew all along, but we like you anyways!"? It's definitely one of my favourite "twists" in a movie. :)
@@Girl2TheCity Yes, I got the same impression. He seems to have a good sense of humour and tipping his usual role upside down like that - especially with the final "double twist"... It's a well played joke. :)
Love this movie. I view it in the same vein as A Knight's Tale and Princess Bride, a cozy fantasy, historical or adventure comfort movies that I'd watch countless times over. also, the song at the end is incredible, 10/10.
isn’t it so cool when it goes “if ang-els cry” and the first part sounds like ‘yvaine’? lol at least I always hear/think that. I think that must’ve contributed to why they picked it/it must be intentional
I watched this movie with my friends, immediately thought “This would be right up Dominic Noble’s alley” and sure enough found out it was based on a book by Neil Gaiman! This movie is so criminally underrated and overlooked, it NEEDS more attention
A subtle note, the inn that Tristan and Yvainne stop at on the way back to Wall is called The Poisoned Prince, likely in reference to Secondus' death at an inn in the book. There's also a spot of irony that Septimus gets killed by poison, one of his favored ways of killing his brothers. You also forgot to mention that Una had cat ears in the book, for some reason.
@@unfabgirl Oh, maybe I misread, but I thought she had literal cat ears for some reason. Like, fluffy animal ears on top of her head. Idk, guess I misread.
Such a not-guilty pleasure film😍😍 The scene where Tristan realises the fae turn to dust and runs in slow mo to the wall is absolutely one of my favourite in all films, so corny and romantic
I found the movie a lot of fun. Captain Shakespear was a show-stealer and the ghosts of the murdered prince's were hilarious, especially their reactions to each other's murder. I loved when they find Oona and their reaction shows that they treated their sister differently than each other because she wasn't allowed to inherit the throne and therefore, wasn't a threat. She was the member of the royal family that her father and brothers allowed themselves to get attached to. Then the idea that once Septimus is killed, they're stuck with each other as ghosts. Finally, the fight between Tristan and dead and voodoo-dolled controlled Septimus's body with the cuts to the ghost's reactions, especially Septimus who is watching his own body be used is WONDERFUL.
My best friend was one that actually introduced me to the book in high school. At the time, Disney sort of endings were the primary expectation, so I was rather impressed by the bummer ending, as well as put off by it. Years later, with a fully illustrated comic book version and the movie to look back on, I’ve grown quite attached to it. Different endings for different moods.
I never thought it was a bummer ending, but I did find it sad Yvvain was immortal and would rule forever when Tristran passed. But had the feeling she would be okay.
I love both versions. The book's melancholy tone is done very well, and I do love it captured that dreamlike haze and melancholy attitude that's in true old fae stories. Also would mention that in the book I didn't get the impression that the Witch gave up on her goal because she had gotten "too old", in fact I'm fairly sure that she gave the precursor of the line "Tristan had obtained the heart of a star". So she explained to Yvaine that she couldn't get her heart from her now because "she didn't have it anymore".
One of my favourite momenets of the book that didn't make it into the film was a small throwaway paragraph about various people cursed into animal forms and all the ways they were desperately trying to break the curses. Often this involved them unknowingly killing one another, such as a squirrel trying to eat a special nut to turn human, and an eagle trying to eat a squirrel who ate the special nut to turn human. I know it wouldn't have been adapted because it was so minor it only takes up the last few paragraphs on its page, but it always stuck with me how dark and desperate fairytale curses are.
I loved that part in the book. Though it wasn't a necessary part of the plot, it was quite clever, and gives the reader more of a feel for the Faerie universe.
I was a huge fan of the book before I saw the movie. I saw the movie in the theater and was very happy with it. The changes were done in a way that left me feeling like they understood the source material. They knew what to change and how to keep it enjoyable. I adore Captain Shakespeare.
I loved stardust! I adored how tristin went back just to tell Victoria to get over her self and when Humphrey came to fight. He confidently drew his sword
I love the movie as well, but hate that they had to do the stupid sexist stereotype with Victoria in the film, when she was a regular not bad person in the book.
You're telling me that for my entire life I have been watching Stardust because it was my dad's favourite movie and it was adapted from Neil Gaiman's work?! This man raised me and I didn't know about it! I didn't intend to have my mind blown and now I have so many questions and so mich to research! Thank you Dom
My favorite scene of the movie is when his crew asks him if he's ok after the attack. "Captain, did they hurt you?" He blows them off. Crewman gets his eye contact. "Captain. . . Did. They. Hurt. You?" Captain breaks into tears and they all support him because they knew and loved him anyway.
Honestly the book ending feels earned and like solid fairy tale logic. It also feels real clever, in a way I miss in the movie (as, like, the only thing I specifically miss in the movie; it's a super good movie).
This is one of the few times where I'm in the "has read the book and seen the movie" category. What I liked more in the book was the whole thing with Victoria who, as you mentioned, is not such a shallow and manipulative person. She truly loved the man she was engaged to (whereas in the movie you get the feeling she's only with Humphrey for the status/looks/money) and yet she was willing to make good on her word. It was such a refreshing difference from the usual cliché with which the movie went. And while I much prefer the way the movie went with Captain Shakespeare, that "organisation" the book mentions which the Captain and the small bearded man belonged to, and which Tristan (Tristram) and Yvaine later join, was quite intriguing. I would have loved to know more, or to have read some stories about their adventures. (I just can't recall what is was called right now. Whoops.)
Always wondered who the mysterious voice warning Tristan/Tristram about Yvaine being in danger was, thanks for solving this for me! PS another sad part of the original novel is that our protagonists never had children (apparently stars and humans can't interbreed). This was changed in the film, with them waiting until "their children and grandchildren were grown" before returning to the heavens, and the question I always had was "So did they get rid of the 'kill all your siblings' succession challenge?" since I sincerely doubt they'd have approved of it.
I remember going to see Stardust in Theaters. Despite it being one of my favorite Gaiman books, I did enjoy the film version and its changes. The one part I really missed was the melancholy ending, but it absolutely wasn't tonally consistent with the rest of the movie and I'm just glad both versions exist. Now to get back on my Yvaine cosplay that I've been putting off for 5 years or so :p
I love captain shakespeare so much. I was surprised to discover his role in the book was much more minimal and generic reading it a year ago, he was so instantly memorable! The film did an outstanding job.
I love this movie so much. It's probably one of the rare times in which I'd recommend the movie over the book. Plus, who doesn't absolutely love Shakespeare and his closet. I want all of his clothes so badly!
An element I liked in the book that's not in that movie that wasn't touched on is that Yvaine gets loose because Tristan unchained her for a rest. The dryad got very serious when he told her what he'd done before and said even if a god struck her down she would not have told him where she went if he hadn't let her go. Additionally, while in the movie Tristan becomes a swordfighter, Tristan actually is disabled in the book- sticking his hand into the witches fire to light the candle results in bad burns. I found the first element refreshing as a questioning of fantasy tropes that are kind of fucked up, and the difference between the two protaganists interesting as a show of masculinity and how it is accessed or not accessed through physical capacity for violence
Stardust introduced me to Neil Gaimen. I saw the movie first and when I heard it was an alternate take of the book, I read it. I love both versions and Neil Gaimen is now one of my favorite authors.
Absolutely love the movie! And respect the book in its own right (although it’s not my personal cup of tea) We actually do know that the unicorn dies (sadly) in the movie. When Septimus find Primus dead in the bath, you can see the dead unicorn in the background.
I read the novel when I was 13, and yeah... I can say it's a *bit* mature for that age, but it was my first introduction to Gaiman's work, so it has a special place in my heart.
I read it when I was about the same age, during a train ride to visit family. Then reread it right away. Sometime later I read Neverwhere and I've been a fan of Gaiman ever since.
This is one of my favourite movies, I'm always surprised how many of my friends haven't seen this. This was the first romance fairytale that I felt head over heels for instead of my usual cynicism.
On the whole I have to say I prefer the book (though I didn't know there was an illustrated version! I'll have to go find that). One thing they removed that I really like is all the references to nursery rhymes and faerie tales. I liked the implication that little scraps of knowledge about faerie have survived in the human world, even if we don't understand their significance. I can't say I love either ending. I always thought Septimus getting bitten by a snake and dying seemingly at random was especially frustrating, but overall I preferred the general tone and structure of the book's ending. I think the film tied everything up too neatly, and slightly reining in the original ending would have been better than completely revising it. I understand why they included Captain Shakespeare, but he's never been a favourite for me, whereas I loved the little hairy man as an introduction to how faerie works.
I honestly love this film, and now I want to watch it again! I read the book after seeing the film (a friend had the book, I had the DVD, we swapped), and the ending made me pretty damn sad. I enjoyed the book despite that. My favorite parts of the movie were the Gaiman-level attention to details. For example, having Primus bleed blue blood and having Septimus' soul turn red and head down when the brothers are finally released. Stuff like that would be so easy to forget to save time/energy/money, but they took the time to make sure small things like that were kept in, and made it perfect. Reminds me of the whole "every album that stays in a car long enough turns into Queen's Greatest Hits" that was included in the Good Omens adaptation.
Curiously enough, I had heard so much about how the book was very different from the movie that when I finally read the book last year, I was surprised by how similar they actually were. (This may have been helped by the fact that it's been many years since I watched the movie.) I definitely didn't think they were tonally as different as you did. But then, I always thought the story of Septimus and his brothers in the movie was pretty dark.
I loved this movie and since I also love happy endings I'm not at all upset to learn that they dialed back on the darker elements of the book. Also props to Il Neige on this episodes end credits song, I literally laughed out loud.
I missed the small hairy man in the film. He was honestly my favorite character in the book because I found him so charming. He's the quintessential main hero side kick: knowledgeable, sarcastic, cheeky, and, of course, cute.
Me too! Same with Tom Bombadil :( removing Tom from the script ruined LOTR movie for years for me. I was waiting to see both of them in the movie but pff. Why..??? (I would like Stardust more tho if they chose better actor for Yvaine, all her facial overactings are unbearable... ;) ).
yeah I don't like that. I like stories to follow the same organic growth and climax pattern that is followed by any sympony or lovemaking. Start off slow, build it up, a few twists and turns, mix things up until by the end, everything is wrapping up into one singular momentous climax that releases all the tension and completes all the motifs that have been established. Then afterwards, the denouement, the epilogue, the pillow talk. Gaiman writes his books in a way that makes me think he would be an EXTREMELY unsatisfying and withholding lover.
I have never read the book. Not sure I knew there was a book. I enjoy lighthearted fairytale style stories so the movie was right up my alley. Thanks for another great video.
Stardust! One of the very rare occasions where I love the book and the movie almost an equal amount! I'm a huge Neil Gaiman fan, so you covering his work is a treat every time.
Love how even when arms are crossed, can't help but to gesture with his hands. My man is the truest example of one of those people who speak with their hands.
This is one of those rare cases where the movie and the book are different beasts altogether, like The Shining. And yet each shines on their own. I personally prefer the film because the final fight is awesome. Also because the pirates are far more fleshed out, including the can can scene with none other than De Niro.
I thought Stardust was a fever dream movie, until my dad found it on a streaming service and asked me if I remembered it, because he, too, had thought he watched it in a dream. but no, it was real. we did watch it many years before. it still feels surreal when I see whisps of it on this plane of existence.
I loved Stardust the film when I watched it, fav movie status instantly for 14 years or so before being dethroned (by I Am Dragon when I watched THAT), but I went and ordered myself a copy of Stardust with the assumption that ‘the book is always so much better than the movie!!’ so I was *_excited._* THANK GOD for Jane Goldman!!!! I can’t overstate that enough, I’ve never been more disappointed in a book before, simply because I expected it to be even better than the movie, but Jane just worked her magic with the ‘good bones’ of the story she was given. After a few more perusals of his work, I discovered I just don’t enjoy Neil’s style of storytelling. One of my favourite things you learn from the book that is mentioned but not explained in the film, is Trist(r)an knowing where he’s going in Faerie without needing a map; it’s explained that anyone born there has that ability, but in the film he exclaims “I just _do!”_ without being able to understand it himself after Yvaine questions him, it’s played off as the stereotypical argument about not asking for directions.
I was disappointed with all the plots going nowhere or having little payoff in the book. I knew it would have been different than the movie, but it just felt like reading an RPG game - with some dark and weird moments in between. The world building is great. But it's too much and therefore let's the characters and story down. I felt that way when reading Coraline too.
Really interesting comments! Must admit I find Gaiman tricky - some of his work like the Graveyard Book I really love, whilst others (like American Gods or the Ocean at the End of the Lane) I truly dislike. It's rare to encounter an author where I don't either consistently love or dislike ALL their work...? Think maybe his children's/YA works have more tightly constructed storytelling, whereas to me, his adult books can seem to just ramble pointlessly a lot...? 🤔 That dark fantasy/light horror tone is also one that can be difficult to calibrate successfully. I'd say he's been very fortunate in the screen adaptations of his books, much more so than many other fantasy authors!(Paolini, Le Guin etc) The Coraline movie is AWESOME - & amazing from a technical standpoint too 😊
Yeah, Neil Gaiman is kind of an interesting author for me because I never quite click with his stuff when I read it, but I love basically every adaptation of his works that I've seen haha.
I have been waiting for this day! I watched the movie before reading the book and basically preferred the movie in general. Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I'm a romantic and the book is more about the lore and world building than about character development and the actual romance. The ending made me melancholic, while the movie fed my fairytale hunger soul.
Same. The movie is still one of my favorites - I practically had it on repeat last summer while recovering from eye surgery - but I've only read the book once. I generally love Gaiman's work, but the movie's take on the story is just so much more satisfying - and perfectly cast.
I'm so happy! Stardust is my favourite Neil Gaimen anything and introduced me to his work (as well as Coraline and the Graveyard Book). I love this film so much
Showed this movie to a friend of mine who loves Daredevil since it's a childhood favorite of mine. One of my favorite parts of the viewing experience is when Shakespear reveals his closet and says "I never like to throw anything out. You know that when you get rid of something it comes back into fashion right after." And my friend just saying, "but he's right tho. Based." This movies so good.
Gaiman is my favorite writer and I absolutely adore his writing, but everything came together through hard damn work to make the film so much better than it started. It's one of those rare stories like Princess Bride and Willow that embraces all the best parts of fantasy and leans into them hard, and there I am for the runtime with a big, dumb grin on my face. Shit, I think I'm just going to watch it again, I have the day off anyhow.
one of the things that bumped me out the most about the movie was that all of it is supposed to take place in only one week. for one, because I really don't like insta-love (and also Tristran falling for Yvaine over the months he knows her in the book as compared to his "love" for Victoria who he barely knew as a person is simply undone by that). but also, it's supposed to be his journey from boy to man, even in the movie, and then being like "yup, that happens within a week, makes perfect sense" seems kinda stupid. besides, the montage on the ship makes it seem like way more than a week
I was just listening to this on headphones while walking home at first, but I have to say, you're one of those content creators that really do need to be paid attention to, to get the full experience. Your little related costume skits are just pure gold, and I'll have to rewind and pay full attention
Me, taking a pause from translating old 90s issues of The Dreaming (I'm a professional comic book translator, that's my job), opening YT to find THIS thumbnail on my homepage. Am I haunted by Neil Gaiman, lol?! (Also, to make any LeGuin fan jealous, I have a beautiful hardback copy of Earthsea illustrated by Vess and his glorious hair)
Stardust and Howl's Moving Castle are two movies I think of as pleasant parallels rather than adaptations. I do wonder if you'll ever do Howl's Moving Castle some day.
I was so happy when I read Stradust to find a reference to "Go and catch a falling star" because it's the same poem/song referenced in Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's moving Castle. The same idea about catching a falling star gave us these two great work AND their great adaptation.
I remember reading an article about Neil Gaiman as part of the promotion for Stardust. Then I finally connected this to Neverwhere and American Gods. Neverwhere is one of my favorites. Also it's funny how this was used to try to promote Charlie Cox to be a leading man, but it didn't work which he said he was glad of in the long run. Considering how his career went, I understand. This guy has a very interesting career.
One change i didn't care for was in the book i felt like victoria wasn't a spoiled brat who didn't appreciate tristen. She didn't need a comupance. In fact it felt like tristan had a bit of a one sided romance and truly matured and realized it by the end. I dunno maybe i am the only one who felt that way.
Nah, when I learned that I wonder why the change. I guess because it was the easier way for the viewers to have little sympathy for her and want Tristan and Yvaine.
This is one of my favorite adaptations. I have read the book, and love it as well. I always feel like…. If you can keep enough of the book alive, but alter it for a visual means, it’s good. And I don’t compare them.
I watched the movie first and was shocked by how different and darker the book was. I enjoy both, but for very different reasons. I'm glad Gaiman approves of the adaptation and understands that you can sometimes make big changes from the source material, but still keep the spirit of the book and its author.
I haven’t read the book BUT I ADORE THAT MOVIE!!! I watch it everytime I can on Netflix. I love the acting, the actors/actresses, and the music is perfection. I love the little role Ben Barnes got here, and also Henry Cavill looks unrecognizable here😂 Claire and Charlie really had a lovely chemistry and Captain Shakespeare was such an amazing addition, perfect in my opinion. I want to watch the movie now!❤
Don't read the book. I started off with the movie, which I adored also, and found the book quite a let down. I think you need to read the book first if you want to enjoy it in its own right. I'd stick with the film if I were you! There's no gay pirate. There's no comedy. There's no climax. There's just very little fun.
Stardust was the first time I picked up the book because of the movie instead of watching the movie because I had read the book. I enjoyed the book but the movie is one of my top favorite movies!
Stardust is one of my fav movies!!!!! I love it so much, it's got a little bit of everything in it. In highschool whenever I asked someone if they knew this movie it was always a no, so I'm super glad it's getting more popular over time.
Oh and if you didn't know Susanna Clarke, of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell fame (Phenomenal book, decent series *HINT*), also wrote a short story around the village of Wall in en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ladies_of_Grace_Adieu_and_Other_Stories - A Shared Faye universe is out there :D
the first time I watched this with friends for a movie night I was absolutely reveling in how unapologeticaly fantasy tropey it was, and when Tristan and Yvaine got stuck on a cloud I said out loud "bet you money this is when the sky pirates show up." I couldn't parse the look my friend shot me until the sky pirates showed up ten seconds later
-R
Did they pay up? That's gold btw.
That's great, I had a very similar experience watching Iron Skies. One of the buddies watching with us had been pretty obnoxious the whole night, and when we put the movie on, he could not stop fawning over how much better it was than other movies, since it had a black hero. I just smiled and said "no shot the nazis let that slide, watch they're gonna turn him white"
The one guy who had seen it just froze and stared at me 🤣
The perils of being as aware of stories as, say, a successful mythology/history TH-cam channel...
Its a great movie tho. XD
Sometimes you just want some pure, unadulterated tropes haha.
When you commented that Shakespeare was film-only, I was shocked. They just... added the wholesome crossdresser in 2007?
Anyway, this film is one of those things you watch as a child and it sticks in your head forever. I might have to watch it again
Wholesome cross-dressing pirate with a wholesome ally crew!
Same, sometimes looking back at certain stories one get really surprised by some of the representation be it good or bad..!
Yeah, I watched the movie first and got my grubby little hands on the book second and, while I like the book fine, I was so shocked that he wasn't in the book. I actually had to go back and reread that section three times before it settled in my brain. Though silly and a little wholesome, Captain Shakespeare still feels like a zany character Gaiman would have come up with in another story.
@@unfabgirl I thought so too. Shakespeare seems exactly like the kind of character Gaiman would come up with.
The best part about the character of Shakespeare is that he led to that hilarious song at the end of Dom's video 🙂
This is one of the rare cases where an adaptation and the original are both extremely enjoyable in their own ways.
Yes. I’m very glad to have both.
This is how I feel about Howl's Moving Castle as well. I read the book first and it became my all time favorite book for years and then I saw the Hayao Miyazaki adaptation and really enjoyed it as well even though it changes quite a lot from the book.
@jillianj1016 Hayao has always done extremely loose adaptations, even with material based on his own work like Nausicaa.
@@jillianj1016 Oh yes that’s another great example.
Agreed
My fun Stardust fact for you all:
The opening line of the movie "A philosipher once asked, are we human because we gaze at the stars or do we gaze at them because we're human?" is often misatributed to Neil Gaiman online. It was actually written by Jane Goldman, who did the screenplay for the movie along with Matthew Vaughn.
Whoever wrote it, it's awesome!
Actually Geto said that during the KFC breakup
*Philosopher.*
Stardust and The Princess Bride are my all-time favorite comfort movies, I've never clicked a notification faster 😊
Same!
Right? Didn't even have to think! Automatic Clickery!
I love these movies!
I just rewatched Stardust last month! 😊 One of my favorite movies - and books.
I only saw The Princess Bride in my adult years and it certainly holds up. I really enjoyed it despite never having seen it as a child so it's good to know it's a good film on its own without it relying on nostalgia
I actually liked the witch's defeat in the book. By falling in love with Tristan, the star has given her heart away. That's what places it beyond the witch's power to take. Also, although she isn't defeated in the book, she has a great line where she says the acorn has not yet been planted that will grow into the oak that will be cut down to supply the wood that will be shaped into the cradle for the baby who will grow into the hero who will kill her. Shortly after this, we're told a squirrel goes off to plant an acorn.
I’ll say this. It is difficult to write Action in a book. The only way around this problem is through short one-on-one exchanges. Or skipping the Battle altogether. That over have a character going through their own battle away from the rest of the fighting.
Bilbo getting knocked out, Verbal Metaphors, and like what was done here…subverting expectations with Fairy-tale/Fanciful logic.
That's some nice prose but from a narrative perspective it's more hot waffle on how they're just going to chill in their den until they get shanked because they're basically a bag of bones at that point.
@@danielramsey6141 I fond that R.A. Salvatore, the creator of Drizzt Do'Urden, writes fantastic, elaborate action scenes. Honestly, of thruvwrre ever to make a film adaptation of a Drizzt book, all a fight choreographer would have to do is pick a scene and say "Okay, let's just do this."
Same. It did feel a little too neat at times but the heartbreak of the epilogue, of what happily ever after really is, that balances it out.
@@truefanforum3273 oh god no. The fight scenes were just so damn wordy that I honestly started skimming them. I went back to them after I learned how to animate a bit and try to key frame it and it just ends up a mess. Sometimes being too detailed is a detriment and derailment of an otherwise good scene.
Captain Shakespeare seems like the most Gaimanesque addition you could ever make to a Gaiman story
Which is funny as he was barely a character in Gaiman’s original story
One interesting thing to note is there is an alternate ending they filmed that is slightly closer to the book's ending in that Tristan does not become immortal alongside Yvaine. They still use the Babylon Candle to become stars, but this time it's because Tristan is an old man on his deathbed.
Yeah, that's true, but in spite of all, I much prefer the movie's ending. It was so sad so see that Yvaine was left alone in the end... 😭
I remember that ending! I've only watched the movie once though, so now I'm confused how I saw that ending.
If he gets old and then thay both become stars, I think I like the compromise between Happy End and tragic.
@@SharmClucas Same! I get the feeling that was the ending i watched too??? Although i have read the book so maybe it's a weird mandella effect thing?
@@SharmClucas deleted scenes?
True story: I watched film years ago and so decided to get the book in audible recently. I always had the impression this was a book for all ages considering how campy the film was. It really did throw me off guard when a detailed sex scene started happening, especially in the author’s calm voice.
Yeah, get it on paper. The artwork is great and it adds (and by design) greatly to the story. If you just listened to it, you've missed half the fun.
I did exactly the same!
I was working in a bookshop when the film was released and a man came in with his young daughter for a copy of the book. They were going to read it together. I advised he read it first and then he could skip the inappropriate scenes!
I got the book since I am a fan of the movie, expecting it be more different but nothing else.
The amount of times and the detail of characters doing their business soured my experience. I also disliked the ending and implications of Evanne being stuck on earth for all eternity.
Also: building the witches up and doing nothing with them, building the princes and Septimus up and then just having them all die and just leave - with Septimus death being insulting.
Tristan's mom feels more like a "I live loosely and seduce a human for fun because I'm magic" when that guy was happily in love with someone else. I don't care about realism, it makes her seem awful as both a mother and partner.
The world of Stormhold felt more mysterious, mystical and forbidden in the movie than the book. The people of Wall were all able to just go beyond the border and engage with the magic people.
The only thing I liked was Victoria and her being more nice. Although I liked the way she was in the movie too.
There was little to no build up to Evanne and Tristans love. And dear God, I can't help but repeat myself - I don't need to know that living beings are taking dumps.
Other books only draw attention to that stuff when it's in some context, trying to showcase circumstances or anything.
Edit: Short version, I don't like the book. And I wouldn't have liked it even if It had not seen the movie first. I'd rather read twilight than that.
I liked the movie better also
Stardust gets my award for "most artistic drowning" and the choreography in that movie is just... chefs kiss perfect. The pirate fight layering is just amazing.
YES. That 'drowning' is one of the most creative deaths I've seen in a film
Genuinely did happy hand flaps as despite not being 100% accurate I love the stardust movie so much. Captain Shakespeare was amazing
the captain and his understanding crew. Some of my favorite scenes in the movie
Stardust did a Flag Means Death before it was cool.
Same same, literally my first exposure to gender fucjery in media that will forever be close to my heart as a nonbinary man
I do as well.
I never knew that it was a book first. I think that I prefer movie. Only because life happens to all of us. I really don't have time to read all the fairytale books I'd like to read. There's other books (records of the Hebrews) that weren't including when making the Bible that should be reading instead.
Regarding the whole "climax being set off by the romantic leads having a misunderstanding" I do have more patience for this example than others because 1) Tristan tried to be clear about what he meant but it got lost in a game of telephone, 2) they don't have an argument about it, and 3) while it is a domino that leads to the climax is wasn't the only moving piece so it's not like the end of the movie was 100% avoidable. I don't love that trope either, but since it's far less egregious than other examples, I'm willing to forgive it and enjoy the movie.
I agree. They did it in a way that actually felt possible. Tried to get the message to the relevant party, but the message got mangled at the far end.
That damned innkeeper!
Unlike in other stories that use that trope, I also feel like here it does kind of follow out of the logic of the story instead of being tacked on artificially to create conflict for its own sake. The whole time they _are_ trying to get back to the other side of the wall because Tristan wanted to get back to Victoria, so even though things change along the way, that part of the original goal remains unchanged (Tristan does go back to Victoria), so it makes more sense that Yvaine gets misled easily, and they are separated at this point in the story. Basically the events that are plot-demanded by future events do follow from past events here, instead of being forced in purely because of future events. 😊
Yeah, I think that’s why it doesn’t annoy me. Not only is it not unreasonable to assume that the final climax would happen either way, but the reason it happens is actually believable.
He’s a man of his word and wants to keep his promise of giving Victoria her gift in the most conceivable way he can, even though he no longer loves her and wants to tell her he’s not longer interested instead of just showing up with a strange girl and dropping that on her, which I think is awfully considerate of both women. Also, that inn keeper did not want to be awake so early so I can see why he doesn’t want to search for paper and why we he care about the context of it? He’s just doing his job.
So yeah, it’s not the characters suddenly being dumb nor a contrived set of circumstances. It feels like a genuine mix up that could’ve easily happened with anyone because that’s happened to everyone with a message at least once.
Plus it isn’t drawn on forever like most writers seem to do. It’s not for the melodrama it’s a well written plot device so that either Tristan doesn’t get bodied by Witch Queen during her cut off at the wall, giving him the element of surprise or causing the Witch Queen’s defeat to be too easy and anti-climatic.
It’s a film that is built on and celebrates classic fantasy tropes, so should we be mad that it uses an overdone trope, when the rest is so cliched?
I absolutely love Stardust. Movie is a pretty good lazy sunday morning flick.
To me it is very reminiscent of Princess Bride and I would love to see more books or movies like this.
Thank you Dom for covering this film!
Read Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
@@wingracer1614 Waiting on the audiobook!
@@TheMajorStranger Sweet. If you're already a Sanderson fan, you will love it. If not, I think you will still love it though it might seem a bit odd.
When I read the book, I got the distinct impression that Gaiman was playing with the expectations most people would have for a fairy tale.
Like, write a story in which a star falls to the earth and is going to fall in love with our main male character, and people will expect a goddess-like creature, wise, beautiful, pure, in a word : perfect. Instead, she has plenty of flaws, she has a temper, she is willing to fight, and her very first word is "f*ck", which is absolutey hilarious !
People will expect the usual awesome sword fight in the middle of the epic climax, but no, instead, there is no climax, things just resolve by themselves, and poof! there's no problem anymore.
And then you think "Well, at least the new king and queen are on the throne, now, and everything is better for everyone", but no, they don't feel like it, so they let the mother in charge and procrastinate for a decade before finally deciding to come back.
All the choices in the book were very deliberately subverting the usual fairy tale tropes. I absolutely love it !
The movie made different choices, going for the epicness rather than the subversion, and I love it just as much. They're pretty different in tone and sometimes in plot, but both are very good, and I'm glad they both exist !
Thank you Dom :-D
And how they did Victoria in the movie, verses her just being a little immature but eventually genuinely in love with someone else.
Idk if it's because I watched the movies first, but I still stand that Stardust and Howls Moving Castle are both movies that are perfect companion pieces to the books they adapt.
@@frostfang1well said. I feel like book a movie somehow are so different, yet both do a brilliant job telling stories with similar themes and a few shared plot points, but otherwise they are both beautiful stories in their own right with little in common.
Instead of writing a good story he just wrote a bad one, genius! (half-joking)
@@frostfang1 I think Jurassic Park works as well
"Don't worry Captain. We always knew you were a whoopsie"
I love this film so much
Huh, I always thought he said "whoopsie"
@@lucienfortner841 damn, your right. I'm gonna correct it at once
and then they instantly shove him to the back for using the term :D
The surprise of non-homophobic pirates was so heart-warming and funny... hats off to the writers and director. However, I'm almost sure that in a decade or two, people will come after this movie and try to cancel it because they don't like its portrayal of gay characters. And I say this as a gay man. Nothing is safe from the internet's cancel culture!
I honestly think the lack of culmination makes the book so much more romantic, heartfelt, and humane, at least in my eyes. Yvaine saying her heart doesn't belong to her anymore just gets me every time. Also I adore Gaiman for not making Victoria a generic high school bully, instead making her a compassionate, loving person, feeling torn about how she was with Tristran. So much better than any swordfights.
I agree--reading the book ruined the movie for me.
Details like that are the reason why I could not really enjoy the movie, there was something unique about how it approached it's conclusion and the characters.
one of the greatest moments in the movie is at the end, when Victoria realises that the man she chose is also into men. It only lasts for a couple of seconds, but it was GOLD. Pure gold.
@@ThomasAnderson1111 Watching the movie ruined the book for me haha.
I feel like the approach Neil Gaiman himself took with the movie really allows me to enjoy both the book and the movie fully - by simply viewing one as an alternative universe to the other
I love how they showed the difference between compatibility and infatuation. Victoria strings Tristan along while being engaged to another man, taking advantage of his lust for her. However, Yvaine is more his equal, and also goes on the quest, getting to know him much better.
Yvaine: And what's she doing to prove how she feels about you?
Love that moment.
Yeah, that goes for the book as well. I think the movie is great and Stardust is, with Coraline, Gaima's best work.... barring Black Orchid.
Not just compatibility, but real love.
@@alexandresobreiramartins9461 I’d add Sandman to the list.
Someone credited Stardust for portraying one of the healthiest romances in film. I agree!
Why does no one talk about how awesome the possessed prince fight was!? Between the awesome scene where he drowns without stepping foot in water and than the amazing choreography with him fighting dead it's seriously so cool.
Literally just last week I wondered "Has Dom ever done Stardust?" and was disappointed to find he had not. Nice timing, universe!
That sounds like if he's ever done illicit substances
I'm still waiting on Wheel of time 😔
@@williamjones3534 Oh, was that adapted? Was not aware!
@@GriffinPilgrim
Amazon did a very loose adaptation. If you're a die-hard fan that needs the world building and characters to be as close as possible it's not for you. If you're looking for loosely inspired fantasy epics... it's just okay. It suffers from poor pacing (a problem faced by many shows in the 10-13 episode format) and they put so much emphasis on an added mystery element that they fail to establish who the lead is.
@@BonaparteBardithion To be honest I never read Wheel of Time but you can't be into fantasy and not at least be aware of it.
I LOVE DeNiro's Captain in this movie. He's so ... adorable! :D That whole setting made me grin constantly during the scenes on the ship.
The Captain being a nice, sensible guy who just plays the hardass for appearance's sake alone was great already, but the final punchline then made me go "Awwwww!". How COOL is that "Well, Captain, we kinda knew all along, but we like you anyways!"?
It's definitely one of my favourite "twists" in a movie. :)
I remember laughing 😂 out loud in the movie theater at Deniro (captain dance) he was clearly enjoying the role at the time
@@Girl2TheCity Yes, I got the same impression. He seems to have a good sense of humour and tipping his usual role upside down like that - especially with the final "double twist"... It's a well played joke. :)
Love this movie. I view it in the same vein as A Knight's Tale and Princess Bride, a cozy fantasy, historical or adventure comfort movies that I'd watch countless times over.
also, the song at the end is incredible, 10/10.
isn’t it so cool when it goes “if ang-els cry” and the first part sounds like ‘yvaine’? lol at least I always hear/think that. I think that must’ve contributed to why they picked it/it must be intentional
That song was made specifically for the movie.
@@xstarsystemsx ah! thanks for letting me know! then it all makes sense :)
@@highfae I've always heard that, too!
That turgid song ruins it.
I love when you dress as all the characters interacting with each other in comedic ways
Literally, when he summed up the endings and played the credits song (so good) it sent me into hyperventilating laughter it's so good
I watched this movie with my friends, immediately thought “This would be right up Dominic Noble’s alley” and sure enough found out it was based on a book by Neil Gaiman!
This movie is so criminally underrated and overlooked, it NEEDS more attention
I know! I've been waiting for this for years!
Hear hear! Stardust is one of my favourite movies
Can we just point out that this is one of the best ending songs yet? Thank you Il neige!
Agreed!
I was so delighted when it came on
It is very good indeed, but it does not quite topple 'Slag-Ass Dragon'
hell yes😁
@@becauseimafan yep
Stardust might not be completely book accurate, but I think it captures the sense of wonder pretty well.
A subtle note, the inn that Tristan and Yvainne stop at on the way back to Wall is called The Poisoned Prince, likely in reference to Secondus' death at an inn in the book. There's also a spot of irony that Septimus gets killed by poison, one of his favored ways of killing his brothers. You also forgot to mention that Una had cat ears in the book, for some reason.
He did say that most of the residents beyond the wall had pointed ears, like a cat. This implies Una did as well
@@unfabgirl Oh, maybe I misread, but I thought she had literal cat ears for some reason. Like, fluffy animal ears on top of her head. Idk, guess I misread.
I reread the section, and it says “her ears were the ears of a cat, perhaps, gently curved, and dusted with a fine, dark fur” so I’m NOT crazy!
it was tertius that was killed at the inn, not secundus 🙂
Such a not-guilty pleasure film😍😍
The scene where Tristan realises the fae turn to dust and runs in slow mo to the wall is absolutely one of my favourite in all films, so corny and romantic
If I remember correctly, in the book Yvaine would turn into a lump of rock because in the "real world," that's what falling stars are.
“And also you’re a King now!”
*Cue: RULE THE WORLD*
lmaooooo
Major props to Il Neige, the ending song made me smile like an idiot!
I found the movie a lot of fun. Captain Shakespear was a show-stealer and the ghosts of the murdered prince's were hilarious, especially their reactions to each other's murder. I loved when they find Oona and their reaction shows that they treated their sister differently than each other because she wasn't allowed to inherit the throne and therefore, wasn't a threat. She was the member of the royal family that her father and brothers allowed themselves to get attached to. Then the idea that once Septimus is killed, they're stuck with each other as ghosts. Finally, the fight between Tristan and dead and voodoo-dolled controlled Septimus's body with the cuts to the ghost's reactions, especially Septimus who is watching his own body be used is WONDERFUL.
My best friend was one that actually introduced me to the book in high school. At the time, Disney sort of endings were the primary expectation, so I was rather impressed by the bummer ending, as well as put off by it. Years later, with a fully illustrated comic book version and the movie to look back on, I’ve grown quite attached to it. Different endings for different moods.
I never thought it was a bummer ending, but I did find it sad Yvvain was immortal and would rule forever when Tristran passed. But had the feeling she would be okay.
I love both versions. The book's melancholy tone is done very well, and I do love it captured that dreamlike haze and melancholy attitude that's in true old fae stories.
Also would mention that in the book I didn't get the impression that the Witch gave up on her goal because she had gotten "too old", in fact I'm fairly sure that she gave the precursor of the line "Tristan had obtained the heart of a star". So she explained to Yvaine that she couldn't get her heart from her now because "she didn't have it anymore".
One of my favourite momenets of the book that didn't make it into the film was a small throwaway paragraph about various people cursed into animal forms and all the ways they were desperately trying to break the curses. Often this involved them unknowingly killing one another, such as a squirrel trying to eat a special nut to turn human, and an eagle trying to eat a squirrel who ate the special nut to turn human. I know it wouldn't have been adapted because it was so minor it only takes up the last few paragraphs on its page, but it always stuck with me how dark and desperate fairytale curses are.
I loved that part in the book. Though it wasn't a necessary part of the plot, it was quite clever, and gives the reader more of a feel for the Faerie universe.
I was a huge fan of the book before I saw the movie. I saw the movie in the theater and was very happy with it. The changes were done in a way that left me feeling like they understood the source material. They knew what to change and how to keep it enjoyable. I adore Captain Shakespeare.
I loved stardust! I adored how tristin went back just to tell Victoria to get over her self and when Humphrey came to fight. He confidently drew his sword
Takes some real balls to come at Superman like that lol
I love the movie as well, but hate that they had to do the stupid sexist stereotype with Victoria in the film, when she was a regular not bad person in the book.
You're telling me that for my entire life I have been watching Stardust because it was my dad's favourite movie and it was adapted from Neil Gaiman's work?! This man raised me and I didn't know about it! I didn't intend to have my mind blown and now I have so many questions and so mich to research! Thank you Dom
Just based on this one comment and knowing nothing else about your life, sounds like you have a pretty cool dad.
My favorite scene of the movie is when his crew asks him if he's ok after the attack.
"Captain, did they hurt you?"
He blows them off.
Crewman gets his eye contact. "Captain. . . Did. They. Hurt. You?"
Captain breaks into tears and they all support him because they knew and loved him anyway.
Honestly the book ending feels earned and like solid fairy tale logic. It also feels real clever, in a way I miss in the movie (as, like, the only thing I specifically miss in the movie; it's a super good movie).
This is one of the few times where I'm in the "has read the book and seen the movie" category. What I liked more in the book was the whole thing with Victoria who, as you mentioned, is not such a shallow and manipulative person. She truly loved the man she was engaged to (whereas in the movie you get the feeling she's only with Humphrey for the status/looks/money) and yet she was willing to make good on her word. It was such a refreshing difference from the usual cliché with which the movie went.
And while I much prefer the way the movie went with Captain Shakespeare, that "organisation" the book mentions which the Captain and the small bearded man belonged to, and which Tristan (Tristram) and Yvaine later join, was quite intriguing. I would have loved to know more, or to have read some stories about their adventures. (I just can't recall what is was called right now. Whoops.)
Always wondered who the mysterious voice warning Tristan/Tristram about Yvaine being in danger was, thanks for solving this for me!
PS another sad part of the original novel is that our protagonists never had children (apparently stars and humans can't interbreed). This was changed in the film, with them waiting until "their children and grandchildren were grown" before returning to the heavens, and the question I always had was "So did they get rid of the 'kill all your siblings' succession challenge?" since I sincerely doubt they'd have approved of it.
In an alternate ending for the movie, they commented how happy they were that none of the kids or grandchildren had killed each other to inherit.
I remember going to see Stardust in Theaters. Despite it being one of my favorite Gaiman books, I did enjoy the film version and its changes. The one part I really missed was the melancholy ending, but it absolutely wasn't tonally consistent with the rest of the movie and I'm just glad both versions exist.
Now to get back on my Yvaine cosplay that I've been putting off for 5 years or so :p
I love captain shakespeare so much. I was surprised to discover his role in the book was much more minimal and generic reading it a year ago, he was so instantly memorable! The film did an outstanding job.
I love this movie so much. It's probably one of the rare times in which I'd recommend the movie over the book. Plus, who doesn't absolutely love Shakespeare and his closet. I want all of his clothes so badly!
My dream as a child was to walk into his closet, be given a glorious haircut and have (what I now know would be) a drag show together
An element I liked in the book that's not in that movie that wasn't touched on is that Yvaine gets loose because Tristan unchained her for a rest. The dryad got very serious when he told her what he'd done before and said even if a god struck her down she would not have told him where she went if he hadn't let her go. Additionally, while in the movie Tristan becomes a swordfighter, Tristan actually is disabled in the book- sticking his hand into the witches fire to light the candle results in bad burns. I found the first element refreshing as a questioning of fantasy tropes that are kind of fucked up, and the difference between the two protaganists interesting as a show of masculinity and how it is accessed or not accessed through physical capacity for violence
I genuinely really loved this movie. Always stuck with me. I feel it's got a similar energy as a Modern Princess Bride.
I went to see Stardust in theaters for my birthday. I wasn't expecting much, but it remains one of my favorite films to this day.
Stardust introduced me to Neil Gaimen. I saw the movie first and when I heard it was an alternate take of the book, I read it. I love both versions and Neil Gaimen is now one of my favorite authors.
Absolutely love the movie! And respect the book in its own right (although it’s not my personal cup of tea)
We actually do know that the unicorn dies (sadly) in the movie. When Septimus find Primus dead in the bath, you can see the dead unicorn in the background.
I read the novel when I was 13, and yeah... I can say it's a *bit* mature for that age, but it was my first introduction to Gaiman's work, so it has a special place in my heart.
Mine was Coraline. Still one of my favorite books.
@@JP2GiannaT ooh, Coraline is such a lovely book!
I read it when I was about the same age, during a train ride to visit family. Then reread it right away. Sometime later I read Neverwhere and I've been a fan of Gaiman ever since.
This is one of my favourite movies, I'm always surprised how many of my friends haven't seen this. This was the first romance fairytale that I felt head over heels for instead of my usual cynicism.
On the whole I have to say I prefer the book (though I didn't know there was an illustrated version! I'll have to go find that). One thing they removed that I really like is all the references to nursery rhymes and faerie tales. I liked the implication that little scraps of knowledge about faerie have survived in the human world, even if we don't understand their significance.
I can't say I love either ending. I always thought Septimus getting bitten by a snake and dying seemingly at random was especially frustrating, but overall I preferred the general tone and structure of the book's ending. I think the film tied everything up too neatly, and slightly reining in the original ending would have been better than completely revising it. I understand why they included Captain Shakespeare, but he's never been a favourite for me, whereas I loved the little hairy man as an introduction to how faerie works.
Charlie Cox in the post pirate hair is one of the great gifts to mankind.
This is my favorite Il Neige song yet
I honestly love this film, and now I want to watch it again! I read the book after seeing the film (a friend had the book, I had the DVD, we swapped), and the ending made me pretty damn sad. I enjoyed the book despite that.
My favorite parts of the movie were the Gaiman-level attention to details. For example, having Primus bleed blue blood and having Septimus' soul turn red and head down when the brothers are finally released. Stuff like that would be so easy to forget to save time/energy/money, but they took the time to make sure small things like that were kept in, and made it perfect. Reminds me of the whole "every album that stays in a car long enough turns into Queen's Greatest Hits" that was included in the Good Omens adaptation.
Freaking out! I *adore* Stardust! It's one of my favourite books, and I find it to be a really fun movie
Curiously enough, I had heard so much about how the book was very different from the movie that when I finally read the book last year, I was surprised by how similar they actually were. (This may have been helped by the fact that it's been many years since I watched the movie.) I definitely didn't think they were tonally as different as you did. But then, I always thought the story of Septimus and his brothers in the movie was pretty dark.
I could have sworn you did this one already... I think as I read the book I made the episode in my head.
Same. I actually double-checked the title to make sure it didn't say "re-upload" 😅
So... Dom did an adaptation of your expectation.
I loved this movie and since I also love happy endings I'm not at all upset to learn that they dialed back on the darker elements of the book.
Also props to Il Neige on this episodes end credits song, I literally laughed out loud.
I missed the small hairy man in the film. He was honestly my favorite character in the book because I found him so charming. He's the quintessential main hero side kick: knowledgeable, sarcastic, cheeky, and, of course, cute.
Me too! Same with Tom Bombadil :( removing Tom from the script ruined LOTR movie for years for me. I was waiting to see both of them in the movie but pff. Why..??? (I would like Stardust more tho if they chose better actor for Yvaine, all her facial overactings are unbearable... ;) ).
For the algorithm! I didn't know that the expanded pirate/crew were an adaptation-only portion. Those sequences were my favorite part of the movie.
It might be the fan in me but I like how Gaiman ends his stories not with the bang but with an “everything goes back to normal” without a big hubbub!
yeah I don't like that. I like stories to follow the same organic growth and climax pattern that is followed by any sympony or lovemaking. Start off slow, build it up, a few twists and turns, mix things up until by the end, everything is wrapping up into one singular momentous climax that releases all the tension and completes all the motifs that have been established. Then afterwards, the denouement, the epilogue, the pillow talk. Gaiman writes his books in a way that makes me think he would be an EXTREMELY unsatisfying and withholding lover.
ok the credit song... perfection!
the end credit music on this one is absolutely fantastic, I hope there is a longer version I can share with friends.
I have never read the book. Not sure I knew there was a book. I enjoy lighthearted fairytale style stories so the movie was right up my alley. Thanks for another great video.
Stardust! One of the very rare occasions where I love the book and the movie almost an equal amount!
I'm a huge Neil Gaiman fan, so you covering his work is a treat every time.
Love how even when arms are crossed, can't help but to gesture with his hands. My man is the truest example of one of those people who speak with their hands.
This is one of those rare cases where the movie and the book are different beasts altogether, like The Shining. And yet each shines on their own.
I personally prefer the film because the final fight is awesome. Also because the pirates are far more fleshed out, including the can can scene with none other than De Niro.
Time to listen again to that perfect ending song!
I love both of these, but they are different and I love them as separate stories
I thought Stardust was a fever dream movie, until my dad found it on a streaming service and asked me if I remembered it, because he, too, had thought he watched it in a dream. but no, it was real. we did watch it many years before.
it still feels surreal when I see whisps of it on this plane of existence.
The timing of this couldn’t have been more perfect. I just finished watching this on HBO ten minutes ago! 😂
Ha! What uncanny timing! 😁
I loved Stardust the film when I watched it, fav movie status instantly for 14 years or so before being dethroned (by I Am Dragon when I watched THAT), but I went and ordered myself a copy of Stardust with the assumption that ‘the book is always so much better than the movie!!’ so I was *_excited._* THANK GOD for Jane Goldman!!!! I can’t overstate that enough, I’ve never been more disappointed in a book before, simply because I expected it to be even better than the movie, but Jane just worked her magic with the ‘good bones’ of the story she was given. After a few more perusals of his work, I discovered I just don’t enjoy Neil’s style of storytelling.
One of my favourite things you learn from the book that is mentioned but not explained in the film, is Trist(r)an knowing where he’s going in Faerie without needing a map; it’s explained that anyone born there has that ability, but in the film he exclaims “I just _do!”_ without being able to understand it himself after Yvaine questions him, it’s played off as the stereotypical argument about not asking for directions.
Thank you for posting an unpopular opinion (dislike of Gaiman's storytelling) without being a jerk. That's a rarity in comment sections.🙂
I was disappointed with all the plots going nowhere or having little payoff in the book. I knew it would have been different than the movie, but it just felt like reading an RPG game - with some dark and weird moments in between.
The world building is great. But it's too much and therefore let's the characters and story down. I felt that way when reading Coraline too.
Really interesting comments! Must admit I find Gaiman tricky - some of his work like the Graveyard Book I really love, whilst others (like American Gods or the Ocean at the End of the Lane) I truly dislike. It's rare to encounter an author where I don't either consistently love or dislike ALL their work...?
Think maybe his children's/YA works have more tightly constructed storytelling, whereas to me, his adult books can seem to just ramble pointlessly a lot...? 🤔 That dark fantasy/light horror tone is also one that can be difficult to calibrate successfully.
I'd say he's been very fortunate in the screen adaptations of his books, much more so than many other fantasy authors!(Paolini, Le Guin etc) The Coraline movie is AWESOME - & amazing from a technical standpoint too 😊
I read the book under the same impression but I really thought the book was just meaner
Yeah, Neil Gaiman is kind of an interesting author for me because I never quite click with his stuff when I read it, but I love basically every adaptation of his works that I've seen haha.
I have been waiting for this day! I watched the movie before reading the book and basically preferred the movie in general. Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I'm a romantic and the book is more about the lore and world building than about character development and the actual romance. The ending made me melancholic, while the movie fed my fairytale hunger soul.
Same. The movie is still one of my favorites - I practically had it on repeat last summer while recovering from eye surgery - but I've only read the book once. I generally love Gaiman's work, but the movie's take on the story is just so much more satisfying - and perfectly cast.
For various reasons, I love this book, I love this movie, and I love this channel. Thank you for sharing.
I'm so happy! Stardust is my favourite Neil Gaimen anything and introduced me to his work (as well as Coraline and the Graveyard Book).
I love this film so much
Showed this movie to a friend of mine who loves Daredevil since it's a childhood favorite of mine. One of my favorite parts of the viewing experience is when Shakespear reveals his closet and says "I never like to throw anything out. You know that when you get rid of something it comes back into fashion right after." And my friend just saying, "but he's right tho. Based."
This movies so good.
Gaiman is my favorite writer and I absolutely adore his writing, but everything came together through hard damn work to make the film so much better than it started. It's one of those rare stories like Princess Bride and Willow that embraces all the best parts of fantasy and leans into them hard, and there I am for the runtime with a big, dumb grin on my face. Shit, I think I'm just going to watch it again, I have the day off anyhow.
Stardust is one of my favourite movies ever. I could never read the book knowing that the whole lightning pirates thing wasn’t a big part of it
one of the things that bumped me out the most about the movie was that all of it is supposed to take place in only one week. for one, because I really don't like insta-love (and also Tristran falling for Yvaine over the months he knows her in the book as compared to his "love" for Victoria who he barely knew as a person is simply undone by that). but also, it's supposed to be his journey from boy to man, even in the movie, and then being like "yup, that happens within a week, makes perfect sense" seems kinda stupid. besides, the montage on the ship makes it seem like way more than a week
the credits music usual puts a smile on my face, this episode moreso than usual
I just finished the book to watch this. I actually really like Victoria's story in the book. It's cute that Triststain supported it.
That wasn't a very sassy thing to say, Sandra.
Il neige’s song is the best and I loved it so much!
I was just listening to this on headphones while walking home at first, but I have to say, you're one of those content creators that really do need to be paid attention to, to get the full experience. Your little related costume skits are just pure gold, and I'll have to rewind and pay full attention
Me, taking a pause from translating old 90s issues of The Dreaming (I'm a professional comic book translator, that's my job), opening YT to find THIS thumbnail on my homepage. Am I haunted by Neil Gaiman, lol?!
(Also, to make any LeGuin fan jealous, I have a beautiful hardback copy of Earthsea illustrated by Vess and his glorious hair)
Stardust and Howl's Moving Castle are two movies I think of as pleasant parallels rather than adaptations. I do wonder if you'll ever do Howl's Moving Castle some day.
He did do Howl's Moving Castle but it got taken down due to copyright.
@@xfreak385231 awh... :c
Someday I'll get that patreon access...
I was so happy when I read Stradust to find a reference to "Go and catch a falling star" because it's the same poem/song referenced in Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's moving Castle.
The same idea about catching a falling star gave us these two great work AND their great adaptation.
I remember reading an article about Neil Gaiman as part of the promotion for Stardust. Then I finally connected this to Neverwhere and American Gods. Neverwhere is one of my favorites.
Also it's funny how this was used to try to promote Charlie Cox to be a leading man, but it didn't work which he said he was glad of in the long run. Considering how his career went, I understand. This guy has a very interesting career.
One change i didn't care for was in the book i felt like victoria wasn't a spoiled brat who didn't appreciate tristen. She didn't need a comupance. In fact it felt like tristan had a bit of a one sided romance and truly matured and realized it by the end. I dunno maybe i am the only one who felt that way.
Nah, when I learned that I wonder why the change. I guess because it was the easier way for the viewers to have little sympathy for her and want Tristan and Yvaine.
The ending song is blooming amazing! Now I'm gonna go watch Our Flag Means Death again.
This is one of my favorite adaptations. I have read the book, and love it as well. I always feel like…. If you can keep enough of the book alive, but alter it for a visual means, it’s good. And I don’t compare them.
I watched the movie first and was shocked by how different and darker the book was. I enjoy both, but for very different reasons. I'm glad Gaiman approves of the adaptation and understands that you can sometimes make big changes from the source material, but still keep the spirit of the book and its author.
Fantastic book, charming film, excellent summation. Well done.
Okay that end song was perfection
I haven’t read the book BUT I ADORE THAT MOVIE!!! I watch it everytime I can on Netflix. I love the acting, the actors/actresses, and the music is perfection. I love the little role Ben Barnes got here, and also Henry Cavill looks unrecognizable here😂 Claire and Charlie really had a lovely chemistry and Captain Shakespeare was such an amazing addition, perfect in my opinion. I want to watch the movie now!❤
Don't read the book. I started off with the movie, which I adored also, and found the book quite a let down. I think you need to read the book first if you want to enjoy it in its own right. I'd stick with the film if I were you! There's no gay pirate. There's no comedy. There's no climax. There's just very little fun.
It was worth watching to the end just for the final pirate shanty. LOL!
If you or Il Neige released an album with these credits songs (or expanded versions!) I'd totally be interested
Stardust was the first time I picked up the book because of the movie instead of watching the movie because I had read the book. I enjoyed the book but the movie is one of my top favorite movies!
Stardust is one of my fav movies!!!!! I love it so much, it's got a little bit of everything in it. In highschool whenever I asked someone if they knew this movie it was always a no, so I'm super glad it's getting more popular over time.
"and ricky gervais getting stabbed"
now THAT is how you sell a movie to your audience!
Oh and if you didn't know Susanna Clarke, of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell fame (Phenomenal book, decent series *HINT*), also wrote a short story around the village of Wall in en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ladies_of_Grace_Adieu_and_Other_Stories - A Shared Faye universe is out there :D
They use the candle to become stars in the heavens…
Billions and billions of miles apart…