The filmmakers behind the adaptation of Winston Groom’s novel all contend that Forrest Gump is “apolitical,” but watching it today puts that claim into serious question. Besides, was it ever really true? Join Luke Elliott & James Bailey in episode 314 as they discuss Tom Hanks running his way into American hearts with a more wholesome version of the character from the novel, what Jenny represents and how she is treated by the story, what Lt. Dan says about America’s conflicted feelings over the Vietnam War, and how the movie tries to evoke nostalgia without all the baggage of a truly complicated world. They finish off by casting their votes on which one’s better: the book or the movie?

• Full Video version on YouTube! https://bit.ly/3Xdjc1n
• Support the show on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Get Forrest Gump or any of the source novels at the Ink to Film Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com

References

• Forrest Gump: The Myth of America https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Aactzo5myg

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/luminousluke
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/lpelliott/
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lpelliott
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/luminousluke.bsky.social

James Bailey

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jame_Bail
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

Credits

• “Skies” by Ross Bugden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiVYAXKVh_k

Winston Groom’s original character is markedly different from the Tom Hanks version that won over the world. In episode 313, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as the wonder what drew Robert Zemeckis to this version of Gump, wrestle with an orangutan named “Sue,” break down what makes satire effective, and try to understand the purpose of the off-putting nastiness at the heart of this version of the character.

• Full Video version on YouTube! https://bit.ly/3Xdjc1n
• Support the show on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Get any of the source novels at the Ink to Film Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/luminousluke
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/lpelliott/
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lpelliott
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/luminousluke.bsky.social

James Bailey

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jame_Bail
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

Credits

• “Skies” by Ross Bugden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiVYAXKVh_k

Christopher and Jonathan Nolan pulled off one of the greatest magic tricks in film history with their ambitious adaptation of Christopher Priest’s novel. In episode 312, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they try to crack the code, get philosophical about duplication, let Christian Bale teach them about sacrifice, marvel at Hugh Jackman’s showmanship, hold Cutter accountable for safety failures, and consider all the dark places obsession can take you. The finish out by casting their votes on which is ultimately the better version: the book or the movie!

Suggest an Adaptation! https://bit.ly/3QVvNCD

Ink to Film

• Full video episode on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmCOicM-LU_l-QAiH3WWkw?sub_confirmation=1
• Support the show on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Get The Prestige or any of the other source novels at the Ink to Film
• Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com

References

• Nerdwriter1’s video: https://youtu.be/d46Azg3Pm4c?si=FqhIgH-uq3lo9Mrd

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/luminousluke
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/lpelliott/
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lpelliott
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/luminousluke.bsky.social

James Bailey

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jame_Bail
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

Credits

• Music: Marc v/d Meulen “The Hunt” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLBu1pSrzSQ&t=0s