Pat Conroy: four novels adapted for the big screen – Le Figaro

VIDEOS – The American novelist died Friday, March 4, at the age of 70. It leaves him derrrière a dozen books, four of which have experienced a film career.

Pat Conroy was a monster figure in American literature, exalting the passions and family histories. Died March 4 at age 70 of complications from pancreatic cancer, he published from his first novel, The Boo in 1970, ten novels. Works that often became real bestsellers in the US. Among them, four have had such an impact that they have also been adapted for the big screen.

The first was The Water is Wide , released in cinemas in 1974 under the name of Conrack . A feature film by Martin Ritt with John Voight in the title role. It embodies on screen this young professor in charge of teaching on Yamacraw Island, off the South Carolina and mainly inhabited by black families penniless, isolated from the world and still mostly using a dialect talk to them. Conrack then mission is to broaden their horizons.

The Great Santini (1976) experienced the same destiny. Released in 1976, this novel lived a second life three years later in the movie theaters, led by director Lewis John Carlino. Filmmaker Robert Duvall had chosen to embody Bull Meecham, the hero of Great Santini , a fighter for the US Navy to irascible character within the home. A character inspired by the father of Pat Conroy, as the author explained repeatedly.

In 1983, a second novel by Pat Conroy finds its place in theaters. This is The Lords of Discipline , a book still untranslated to date. Directed by Franc Roddam, the feature gives the lead role of Will McLean David Keith. He interprets this young student in a military school, recognized for his human qualities but little excels in the physical disciplines. While for the first time in its history, the school incorporates a black student in his ranks, McLean is responsible for ensuring that its successful year, but others have made the opposite promise.

The last works of Pat Conroy to have made a film career is also one of his most famous novels: The Prince of Tides . In 1991, Barbra Streisand decided to get behind the camera adapting the book of the writer, in a feature film in which she plays also one of the main roles. The Prince of Tides , Barbra Streisand plays the role of Susan Lowenstein, a psychologist providing help to Savannah, the sister of Tom, who has just attempted suicide. She finally closer to Tom, while it must agree to deliver his family secrets.