Graham Greene was one of the most versatile writers of the 20th century, and he remains a figure of particular interest to those concerned with the relationship between literature and cinema. As well as being a skilled screenwriter in his own right, most famously with The Third Man, Greene's fiction has proved to be a perennially popular source for adaptation, appealing to the broadest range of filmmakers imaginable.
In this engaging and accessibly written study, Richard J. Hand and Andrew Purssell introduce adaptation studies and its relation to Greene's works. They present new and incisive readings of key texts, including the various screen versions of Brighton Rock, The End of the Affair and The Quiet American, among others, and offer a critical examination of the industries in which Greene functioned as author, screenwriter, film critic and cultural figure. By closely exploring the various critical aspects of Greene and adaptation, and by encouraging readers to engage with the topics discussed through the inclusion of innovative exercises, Adapting Graham Greene makes a significant contribution to Graham Greene Studies and Adaptation Studies, as well as to Film and Literary Studies more generally.
Richard J. Hand is Professor of Theatre and Media Drama in the Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries at the University of Glamorgan, UK.
Introduction
1. Greene in Context
2. The Carol Reed Films
3. Brighton Rock
4. The End of the Affair
5. The Quiet American
Conclusion.