What Elements from Stephen King's 'It' Were Left Out of the Films?

Stephen King's novel It is a complex and detailed work that provides a rich tapestry of characters, plot twists, and cosmic horror. However, when it comes to adapting this sprawling narrative into the big screen, certain elements must be left behind due to limitations in adaptation, censorship concerns, and the success of the story's core elements. This article discusses some of the notable omissions that were made in the adaptation process, specifically focusing on It: The Movie and It: The Miniseries. Let's dive into what was left out of these adaptations.

The Cosmic Entity and Prehistoric Origins

One of the most intriguing aspects of It from a storytelling perspective is its cosmic and eldritch origins. In the novel, the entity known as It is described as an ancient, otherworldly being with origins that stretch back to prehistoric times. Stephen King delves into the entity's interdimensional history, detailing its arrival on Earth during prehistoric epochs, which adds layers of complexity to a horrifying tale.

However, the It film adaptation only manages a brief flashback to showcase this concept. The It: The Miniseries adaptation, which ran for eight episodes, does not even include this element. This omission significantly robs the adaptation of some of its mythological depth and the sense of cosmic horror that King aims to create. The miniseries, in particular, focuses heavily on the central plot of the Losers Club's fight against the entity, leaving out prehistoric details that enhance the sense of the unknown and the supernatural.

The Orgy Scene

Another controversial and notable omission from the film adaptation is the orgy scene. In the novel, King describes a disturbing scene involving a group of preteen boys and a girl engaging in sexual activity. This scene, which revolves around the character of Georgie and the entity's corruption of a local summer social, is one of the most explicit elements in the book. However, the film adaptation could not possibly include this scene due to censorship and viewer desensitization to such explicit content.

Stephen King, whose work often explores the darkest aspects of the human psyche, must have had a particular reason for including this graphic content. Perhaps it was meant to highlight the corruption of innocence or to illustrate the entity's power. Regardless, the scene's inclusion was highly risky, given the potential backlash and censorship issues. The omission of this scene leaves a significant gap in the narrative, as it would have provided a unique and intense experience for readers who enjoyed the raw, unvarnished nature of King's prose.

Vast Omissions in Plot and Characterizations

At a broader level, the adaptation of It has made many other significant omissions. The novel features a sprawling plot with a large ensemble cast, each with distinct and complex personal stories. In the film adaptation, much of the plot is condensed, resulting in the omission of numerous subplots and character arcs.

For instance, King's novel delves deeply into the backgrounds of the Losers Club members, providing extensive characterizations that add depth and authenticity to the narrative. Characters like Ben Hansall, Richie Tozier, and Georgie Denbrough are far more fleshed out in the book, with detailed motivations and emotional journeys. These intricate characterizations help to make the central plot more compelling and the stakes higher for the readers.

The miniseries, while more faithful in some ways to the novel's structure, still faces significant constraints. It condenses the plot and characters, resulting in a less nuanced presentation of the story. One of the most notable consequences of this is the near-complete absence of Beverly Marsh's character. In the film and miniseries, Beverly becomes a more generalized character, losing her distinct personality and depth. This change robs the narrative of a key player whose background and personal trials are crucial to the overall story.

Conclusion

While adapting Stephen King's It into films and television presents numerous challenges, the omissions discussed here highlight the trade-offs made to present a commercially viable and family-friendly adaptation. Despite these omissions, both the film and miniseries remain faithful in many ways to the spirit of King's original story. However, it is undeniable that some of the core elements—such as the entity's cosmic origins, explicit scenes, and richly developed characters—were lost in the process.

Through this analysis, we can better understand the artistic and practical choices that shaped the adaptations of It, offering a perspective on the complex process of translating literary works into other media formats.