Miss Murray – A Gentlewoman
There are some similarities, in fact, between Alan Moore’s graphic novel, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and Stephen Norrington’s adaptation, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Many passionate fans of the comic book would argue that they are two very different works, but the idea is essentially the same. Alan Moore assembled a world where all of Britain’s greatest literary heroes are united. The movie plays more on the epic material rather than on the plot. The first difference can be seen as Wilhelmina Murray’s role as the leader or chief figure. Her part as a strong woman in a colonizing world is viewed grimly by people, making her different, out of the ordinary, extraordinary. She has yet to have shown any powers or skills similar to her compatriots, but she has talents. She is able to control the gravest of beasts (such as her ability to subdue Mr. Edward Hyde). This strength in a women in this society of controlled and “proper” ladies (as strangely portrayed in Miss Rosa Coote’s Correctional Academy for Wayward Gentlewomen) is unconditional, making her the monster to the extent of her being different (not that she has claws or anything). This development in Mina Murray is plainly seen in the graphic novel, but the movie fails to include any such story in her character. She is not even the leader in the story (incredible, right?). Still, the movie adaptation of the comic is quite a thrill ride and worth the my time.
In addition (as an aside), Alan Moore focuses deeply within British literature and bases every character from a pre-existing novel (a British one). His use of Professor Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes’s nemesis, is an unexpected one. I, in fact had trouble accepting him as a villain, since the story of Sherlock Holmes, though science-fiction, seems possible in real life, while the league of extraordinary gentlemen is rather far-fetched.
