Resected Sir,
Here below is my interpretation on the movie screening 'The Birthday Party'..
1)Two scenes of Lulu omitted from the movie:-
Two scenes of Lulu if omitted from the movie then it normally has no such differences that one can find
there.to give the particular shape to the work also writer may be prefer to include extra things & reduce something that burden the content part of the work.another point can be there is as i think of Lulu's personality that has no such significance to carry out the flow further with some special effect.
As Anton Chekhov told something can relates here that if starting part is points out on The Gun on the wall then it should be blast or resulted till the end anyhow.
It means no single word should be there that may disturb the work of
art.it can be connect here where repetition omitted intentionally may be or meaningless act may keeps away from the central focus.
2)The effect of Menace in the movie:-
Brief on Menace:-Threats, Dangerous or Frightened
'The Birthday Party' by Harold Pinter has such fearful elements to conveys the central idea or concept of the work.audiovisual technique has some particular significance than the written work to attract or catch the attention of the audiences & it's can also lasts our interest till the end.one can imagine the sight while reading the text but he can closely feel it while watching the film version of that.there are so many scenes one can find with better effect to connect the dots & his personal interest with the work through the movie screening than the mere reading of the text.
Such as:-Tearing the newspaper,
Beating the drums,
Knocking the door,
Screaming of Lulu & Meg during become physically victimizers.
Rattling the crockery in the kitchen
These all at some point can be successful to give the impact of Menaces & that can be very much feel by the audience too.apart from these types of audio images some visual effect can be considered with the same.
When darkness is shows there.
Early morning & symbol of street light are there yet hidden darkness (physical attack on Meg & Lulu & Stanley from strangers, Political atmosphere between the characters) that deliberately tries to pointed out there is mattes a lot.
3)The effect of lurking danger while viewing the movie:-
As i mentioned in above answer that visual effect can be more eye catchy in the movie screening in compare to the reading the text.same as from very starting of the screening we can see that how beautifully the director used his technique to portrays the decided impulses on the minds of audience through the unknown man's entering scene & sounds of some things. Without pre-information it may hard to identity who that man is..?yet it definitely has something that makes us ready to think on it
once.it can shows us lurking danger too.
The game of Blind Man's Buff can be mentioned with the same.when women has to be victimized of men that can be hard to read in the text.
4)My reading of the Newspaper scene in the movie:-
The scene of Newspaper can be read differently in the matter of different characters.
Such as:-Petey an old man reading newspaper is quite differs from the way of McCann's reading of the same.
It can be symbolises differently:-Power position
Hiding the self identity behind
Particular context reading like the present work
News event from that newspaper which Petey was read has some impact to leave behind. Where the issue of Baby child arises & Meg argued with Petey & also question on that as he was not be able to filled her that wish after a long time too.
So it's may comes as helplessness of Petey.
Newspaper tearing by McCann may sounds differ here.when he do this it shows the real situation of Stanley by him (McCann) where he himself parted significantly.sounds also support there.
Hiding the tearing pieces of paper by Petey in last scene may shows us the another sign of his helplessness where he may tries to hide the harsh reality of Stanley that he can't advocate as well as prove & Meg's memory power also has no such strength that can support him so it's another point to deal with.
5)Positioning of Camera while The Blind Man's Buff,the game was playing:-
Very sharply the director used this technique of putting camera angels into particular situation. Where in the game of The Blind Man's Buff,during the celebraton of Stanley's birthday McCann very freely tries to catch someone while during the turn of Stanley he act as he tries to free himself first it shows the suppressed condition of him.there camera also moves
accordingly.in some other situations when McCann searches,it moves on his condition with the capture of surroundings & it turns to above when it's pointed out Stanley's turn in the game that seems as the cage in which he is trapped.
Another supportive things comes as drums when camera moves there it's broken by Stanley that may refer to his actual depressed condition as an artist.limitations of any artists can be shows here too.characters are not in covered eyes there but it's may camera that tries to shows us it through itself.
6)Reference of Art,Truth & Politics in the movie:-
Yes,i definitely agree with this reference where in a very little stage it performs that may signs towards the kind condition of the characters. Openness is empty there,no serious thoughts can exchange there. Stanley's behavior or act of closing the windows may shows his helplessness of being a rant member of Meg & Petey so apart from this many dialogues are also there.
Some are trivial where confusion may arises from reader's side to favoured one of the character.but at the end how Stanley has to face undone situation & Meg & Petey being unaware from that can considered as known to Stanley but unknown to his condition.mercy is there but reading comes differ ultimately.
7)With some characteristics the movie give better understanding of the play:-
Painteresque,Pause, Silence, Menace & Lurking danger obviously these all techniques are very well connected here with the content of the play in the movie to give quite enough understanding to the audience that may not be possible to get while reading.
For that pause & silence we have to focus on camera angel first where each & every minute moves the director tries to cover & shows the exact area of the theme there.
Such techniques deliberately using by them to give enough justice to the audience as well as their
work.in which audience can take time to pounder on particular static situation & can evaluate the art in a better way through that's point of view. Lurking danger can also shows through it in which particular situation tries to include & on that base it reflect the threat & fear at last.
8)I agree with the below observation:-
"It's impossible to imagine a better film of Pinter's play than this sensitive, disturbing version directed by William Friedkin."
As the present film has possible & required elements to reflect the techniques that may Pinter wanted to convey thorough his play. Lack of understanding if happen then it may depends on personal or individual perspective than general that can give the scope to make it better than this too.
9)If i can be a director or screenplay writer,for this movie if i say that i would prefer to change nothing special but there may be the requirement of justice at the end to Stanley at least. Defect of memory power of Meg should not be there & she should at least support Stanley there.
10)My choice of actor should be Stanley no doubt, as he has some quality of an artist though he has limitations yet it can be considered as a representative of that areas of our society who are victimization like him & how they have to suffer can also see & question & through such character who if remain in the center then can highlighted their position as well as the aim within them too.
Thank You.
