5 book characters who were left out of the movie adaptions
When film adaptions are made, it is expected that some aspects of the original story will get cut. Whether it be changing the setting, altering relationships or cutting entire scenes, movies prioritise certain elements of the story for their intended audience. Here are five characters who didn’t make the cut in the onscreen adaptions.
1. Tattypoo – The Wizard of Oz (1939)
In the book, the Good Witch of the South, Glinda, is described as a beautiful woman. Her counterpart, the Good Witch of the North, is an older woman who is dubbed as “Tattypoo” or “Locasta”. Glinda appears at the end of story and instructs Dorothy on how to return home while Tattypoo greets the heroine once she arrives in the Land of Oz. In the film adaption, Glinda is the sole Good Witch. Tattypoo is never mentioned throughout the film.
2. Mr and Mrs Hurst – Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Charles Bingley’s brother-in-law and sister, Mr and Mrs Hurst, didn’t make it to the 2005 film adaption directed by Joe Wright. Mrs Hurst was described as being arrogant and a snob while Mr Hurst is known as a sluggish man interested in cards and food. The unaffectionate couple did, however, appear in the BBC TV series from 1995, played by Rupert Vansittart and Lucy Robinson.
3. Alexandra Finch – To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Atticus Finch’s sister, Alexandra Finch, was left out of the movie adaption as well as Uncle Jack. Scout and Jem’s aunt was described in the book as a stern who wanted Scout to behave more like a lady.
4. Tom Bombadil – The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The character of Tom Bombadil wasn’t included in Peter Jackson’s adaption of the film as the director believed he would slow down the action and believed the character’s scene didn’t move the overarching story forward. Tom was also left out of Ralph Bakshi’s 1978 animated adaption of the story.
5. The Countess Rugen – The Princess Bride (1987)
The Countess Rugen, who is the wife of Count Rugen, was left out of the film adaption. She appears at the beginning of the book at Buttercup’s farm. The Countess was attracted to Westley which led to Buttercup realising she loved Westley too. A portion of the farm storyline was cut out of the film to reduce the running time and help the story flow.