The Last Unicorn (The Last Unicorn, #1) The Last Unicorn discussion


131 views
Should I read this or watch the movie first?

Comments Showing 1-30 of 30 (30 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

Mary Never seen or read The Last Unicorn. What would be best to do first if I intend to both read and watch it?


Brenda Clough Read the book. There is no way that any movie can be as wonderful.


Mary Brenda wrote: "Read the book. There is no way that any movie can be as wonderful."

Thank you! I was conflicted because I have heard so much about both and so many have said to watch the movie first.


Scarlett Read the book the movie caters to children where the book can have a mixed audience.


Jess First? I'd say read the book just to give your mind a chance to come up with the characters' voices without the movie's input.

That said, the movie is wonderful, and a really pitch-perfect adaptation of the book. It captures the same 'feel' as the book, and I love them both.


Morgenvogel I don't think it matters much. I saw the movie many times as a child and only later read the book. I didn't feel like one was worse than the other.

Just do what you want to do ^^


message 7: by Lis (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lis Carey Read the book. Peter Beagle is under-appreciated and should be enjoyed at any opportunity.


Kressel Housman DEFINITELY the book. If the movie is the cartoon starring Mia Farrow, it's a major disappointment.


Sandra Noel Read it. Without doubt.


Erika I watched the movie as a child and read the book as an adolescent and wholly loved both. I don't think you can go wrong in either choice. Lis is right Peter S Beagle is wonderful and I think any new attention is important. :) Let us know what you decided and how you liked it!


message 11: by Jenn (last edited Jan 15, 2014 12:42PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Jenn Loved both. Watched the movie first as a child then later read the book, and that turned out well - no disappointment about the movie characters looking different than I pictured them, etc. It won't spoil the book for you - the book has all kinds of wonderful songs, and some extra bits like Hagsgate. Thankfully Beagle was heavily involved in the movie so the two mediums complement rather than conflict with each other.


Kressel Housman The movie left too much out.


Miranda Like many here, I saw the movie as a child and then pounced on the book when I discovered it as a young adult. I love both.


message 14: by Jon (new) - rated it 4 stars

Jon Adcock The book. The movie has some great voice acting (except for Jeff Bridge's flat line readings), but the animation is awful and is not much better than 1970's era Saturday morning cartoons.


Samantha Book first. I like what Jess said about letting your own mind come up with the voices. It's more fun that way!


Sparrowlicious BOTH. Toss a coin.
Peter S. Beagle wrote the script for the movie. Obviously he had SOMETHING to do with the movie. They leave out some stuff (especially about Schmendrick) but otherwise it's a very good adaption.


message 17: by Juan (new) - rated it 5 stars

Juan Guzman always read the book


Jenelle Compton Books are ALWAYS better!
But I often find that makes me hate the movie. So sometime I'll watch a movie first, just so I don't hate it :D


message 19: by Juan (new) - rated it 5 stars

Juan Guzman you will love both ,watch the movie with someone you care about


message 20: by Lia (last edited Mar 23, 2014 04:33PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lia DEFINITELY BOOK FIRST!! The movie is beautiful, and I do recommend it, even if someone isn't looking to read the book... but you get so much out of the story if you read the book first. (Personally I watched the movie once as a kid but had totally forgotten it until I found the book... as it turned out I found the movie online minutes after finishing the book... was on cloud 9 for the rest of the day!!) :)
Favorite line, which I think is present in both book and movie: "Please Lady, let me help you." omg *swoon* :)


message 21: by Juan (new) - rated it 5 stars

Juan Guzman i know that ,god it hurts i cant belive all thats happen these past few years . this book lets me remember a better time in my life


Shane Noble I almost always recommend reading the book first, no matter which book/movie is being discussed.


Shane Noble Jenelle wrote: "Books are ALWAYS better!
But I often find that makes me hate the movie. So sometime I'll watch a movie first, just so I don't hate it :D"


I wouldn't say always better. In some cases, the movie can be superior. See: Fight Club, American Psycho.


Chris Meads Books are usually better since the movies take out a lot. I've read the book but never saw the movie.


message 25: by Rand (new) - rated it 5 stars

Rand Lee Mary wrote: "Never seen or read The Last Unicorn. What would be best to do first if I intend to both read and watch it?"

Read the book. It is far, far, far more enchanting than the movie.


message 26: by Mary (new) - rated it 3 stars

Mary Yes! I read and watched the movie.


Annabeth READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Annabeth R-E-A-D READ


message 29: by Erin (new) - added it

Erin O'Riordan Book first. I know of only two exceptions to this rule: The Count of Monte Cristo (the Jim Caviezel/Guy Pearce movie is excellent for context, because Dumas does tend to ramble a bit - different endings, though) and The Prestige (the movie will lull you into a false sense of security, and then the book will BLOW YOUR MIND).


Alice Kingsbury Definitely, read the book!!! I didn't even know there was a movie. This is my all time favorite fantasy.


back to top