Cinematic adaptations of theatrical plays: an investigation into the transition from stage to screen

Abstract The objective of this article is grounded in the examination of the peculiarities involved in adapting theatrical plays into contemporary cinematic productions. To achieve this goal, analytical, comparative, and weighting coefficient calculations and statistical analyses of Cronbach’s and McDonald’s coefficients methods are employed. Initially, the authors identified potential challenges in the cinematization of theatrical plays, including the preservation of the theatrical atmosphere (0.38), the search for additional details for a more vivid expression (0.36), dialogue adaptation (0.31), maintaining the artistic essence of the play (0.33), and varied approaches to material presentation (0.29). The analysis of the film adaptations of “The Peony Pavilion” and “Incomparable Mulan” revealed differences in graphic quality, portrayal of characters, plot accuracy, and their alignment with the theatrical production. It was established that the film “The Peony Pavilion” most accurately corresponds to the theatrical production, attributed to the use of music and the preservation of the main characters’ images. Conversely, the film “Incomparable Mulan” is more closely linked to graphic quality and the depiction of the main characters, contributing to the vibrancy and beauty of the artistic depiction. Respondents opined that the film “Incomparable Mulan” (0.37) is of higher quality, as it is oriented toward preserving Chinese values. Consequently, it can be inferred that for audiences, the storyline holds greater significance than logical gaps in information presentation.