Fences(2016) Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, & August Wilson

02/12/24 • 64 min

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Book Vs. Movie: Fences
The 1987 play Vs. the 2016 movie
For Black History Month, the Margos revisit playwright August Wilson (we covered Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom last year.) Fences premiered on Broadway in 1987 and is a part of Wilson's acclaimed Pittsburgh Cycle, also known as the Century Cycle, a series of ten plays that chronicle the African American experience in the United States throughout each decade of the 20th century.
This is a play about Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball player who now works as a garbage collector. Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, the story explores themes of race, family, generational trauma, and unfulfilled dreams. Troy's desire to build a fence around his yard symbolizes his need to protect his family and his sense of confinement.
In this ep, the Margos discuss:

The work of August Wilson.
The plot of the story
The differences between the play and the adaptation.
The cast of the 2016 film: Denzel Washington ((Troy Maxson,) Viola Davis (Rose Lee Maxson,) Stephen McKinley Henderson (Jim Bono,) Russell Hornsby (Lyons Maxson,) Mykelti Williamson (Gabriel Maxson,) and Saniyya Sidney as Raynel Maxson.

Clips used:

Fences 2016 trailer
“Why don’t you like me?” (1987 James Earl Jones & Courtney Vance TONY Awards)
“The same spot as you.”
“I’m not going to Tray Maxson’s funeral.”
Music by Marcelo Zarvos.

Book Vs. Movie is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. Find more podcasts you will love Frolic.Media/podcasts.
Join our Patreon page “Book Vs. Movie podcast”
You can find us on Facebook at Book Vs. Movie Podcast Group
Follow us on Twitter @bookversusmovie
Instagram: Book Versus Movie https://www.instagram.com/bookversusmovie/
Email us at [email protected]
Margo D. Twitter @BrooklynMargo
Margo D’s Blog www.brooklynfitchick.com
Margo D’s Instagram “Brooklyn Fit Chick”Margo D’s TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@margodonohue
[email protected]
You can buy your copy of Filmed in Brooklyn here!
Margo P. Twitter @ShesNachoMama
Margo P’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shesnachomama/
Marg...

The work of August Wilson.
The plot of the story
The differences between the play and the adaptation.
The cast of the 2016 film: Denzel Washington ((Troy Maxson,) Viola Davis (Rose Lee Maxson,) Stephen McKinley Henderson (Jim Bono,) Russell Hornsby (Lyons Maxson,) Mykelti Williamson (Gabriel Maxson,) and Saniyya Sidney as Raynel Maxson.

Clips used:

Fences 2016 trailer
“Why don’t you like me?” (1987 James Earl Jones & Courtney Vance TONY Awards)
“The same spot as you.”
“I’m not going to Tray Maxson’s funeral.”
Music by Marcelo Zarvos.

Previous Episode

Ethan Frome (1993)Liam Neeson, Patricia Arquette, Joan Allen, Tate Donovan & Edith Wharton

Book Vs. Movie: Ethan Frome
The 1911 book Vs. the 1993 movie
The Margos have decided to cover a proper novel-to-movie adaptation after a few weeks of pushing the boundaries of what constitutes a "book" on their show. Edith Wharton's 1911 novel Ethan Frome tells the story of a sickly man who lives in Starkfield, Massachusetts, with his wife and her cousin. The novel explores how they ended up in this situation.
It tells the story of Ethan, trapped in a loveless marriage until the arrival of Zeena's cousin, Mattie, who brings hope and passion to his life. The novel highlights how societal norms and personal choices can lead to tragic outcomes and serves as a commentary on the constraints of rural life and the consequences of unfulfilled desires.
In this ep, the Margos discuss:

The career of Edith Wharton.
The plot of the story
The differences between the book and the adaptation.
The cast of the 1993 film: Liam Neeson (Ethan Frome,) Patricia Arquette (Mattie Silver,) Joan Allen (Zeena,) Tate Donovan (Reverand Smith,) Stephen Mendilo (Ned Hale,) Phil Garran (Mr. Howe,) Virginia Smith (Mrs. Howe,) Annie Nessen (Sarah Anne Howe,) Katharine Houghton (Mrs. Hale,) George Woodard (Troy Powell,) and Jay Goede and Denis Eady.

Clips used:

Ethan meets Zeena
The Reverand meets Ethan
Mattie blossoms after a year
Ethan and Mattie flirt
Zeena wants Mattie gone
Music: Rachel Portman

Book Vs. Movie is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. Find more podcasts you will love Frolic.Media/podcasts.
Join our Patreon page “Book Vs. Movie podcast”
You can find us on Facebook at Book Vs. Movie Podcast Group
Follow us on Twitter @bookversusmovie
Instagram: Book Versus Movie https://www.instagram.com/bookversusmovie/
Email us at [email protected]
Margo D. Twitter @BrooklynMargo
Margo D’s Blog www.brooklynfitchick.com
Margo D’s Instagram “Brooklyn Fit Chick”
Margo D’s TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@margodonohue
[email protected]
You can buy your copy of Filmed in Brooklyn here!
Margo P. Twitter @ShesNachoMama
Margo P’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shesnachomama/
Margo P’s Blog

Next Episode

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) Cicely Tyson, Richard Dysart, Rod Perry, & Ernest J. Gaines

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Book Vs. Movie: The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
The 1971 play Vs. the 1974 movie
For Black History Month, the Margos visit "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman." Ernest J. Gaines wrote this novel, which was first published in 1971. The book is a fictional autobiography that spans over 100 years of American history, narrated by Miss Jane Pittman, an African American woman born into slavery and lived through the Civil Rights Movement. The narrative provides a powerful and poignant perspective on the struggles and triumphs of African Americans in the United States. Miss Jane Pittman's life story serves as a lens through which readers can explore the complex issues of race, identity, and social justice.
"The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" was adapted into a television movie in 1974 and was directed by John Korty—Cicely Tyson in the titular role of Miss Jane Pittman. Cicely Tyson's performance in the role received widespread acclaim, and the movie itself was well-received for its powerful storytelling and exploration of the African American experience throughout different periods of American history.
The TV movie won several awards, including Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Television Movie for Cicely Tyson and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Special for Tracy Keenan Wynn, who adapted the screenplay from Ernest J. Gaines' novel.
In this ep, the Margos discuss:

The life and work of Ernest J. Gaines.
The plot of the story & the special effects for makeup
The differences between the original novel and the adaptation.
The cast of the 1974 film: Cicely Tyson (Jane Pittman,) Valerie Odell (young Jane Pittman,) Richard Dysart (Master Bryant,) Odetta (Big Laura,) Michael Murphy (Quentin Lerner,) Rod Perry (Joe Pittman,) Arnold Wilkerson (Jimmy,) Will Hare (Albert Cluveau,) Katherine Helmond (Lady at House,) Thalmus Rasulala (Ned Douglas,) and Barbara Chaney as Amma Dean.