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The Handmaid’s Tale (1990): Film vs Book

Film · 1990 · Directed by Volker Schlöndorff · Starring Natasha Richardson, Faye Dunaway, Robert Duvall

About the film

A woman in a strict, controlled society tries to survive and remember her old life.

How close is it to the book?

Close to the book

It keeps the idea and many scenes, but it is shorter and less inward than the book. The mood is colder.

Read or watch first?

The novel's first-person voice makes it feel more intimate.

What the book gives you

The Handmaid’s Tale cover

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

A haunting, beautifully written story that sharpens your sense of what matters most. It stays with you long after the last page.

Who will like it: Readers who want a gripping, thoughtful story about freedom, voice and resilience.

Watch on AmazonBack to the book