On Thursday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m., participants can view the 1966 film version of “Fahrenheit 451” directed by Francois Truffaut and starring Julie Christie and Oskar Werner.

In this film version, Montag, a fireman married to Linda, meets Clarisse, a young school teacher who makes Montag doubt his work burning books.

“Viewers will be interested in the changes that were made in the film,” said Lynda Reynolds, Stillwater public library director.  “Many aspects of the book did not appear in the film and part of Dr. Prchal’s discussion will be to address how these changes affect the outcome of the story, for better or worse.”

According to Ray Bradbury’s introduction to the 2003 edition of “Fahrenheit 451,” the author enjoyed some of Truffaut’s changes so much that he incorporated them into his stage adaption of the book, which was the version recently performed by the Aquila Theatre at OSU’s Seretean Center.

Truffaut, one of France’s most celebrated filmmakers, received Oscar nominations for his films “Les Quatre Cents Coups” in 1960 and “La Nuit Américaine” in 1975.  He is the recipient of 31 other major film awards.

“Fahrenheit 451” is unrated and lasts 112 minutes.  It is free and open to the public.

On Sunday, March 16, at 1:30 p.m., viewers will watch “The Hunger Games,” the 2012 film based on the bestselling young adult book by Suzanne Collins. 

Collins also wrote the screenplay, keeping it very similar to her book which depicts a future world where a boy and girl from twelve districts are chosen to fight to the death on live television. 

“Much like the ‘Harry Potter’ series, ‘The Hunger Games’ books have been a huge part of libraries attracting teens to reading,” said Reynolds.

Following the film, participants will discuss the movie and how it compares to “Fahrenheit 451.”  Discussion on dystopian films and novels will be included.

“Dystopian films and novels are those that portray a world completely opposite of a utopian society,” said Reynolds. “The stories’ settings include destruction of entire societies like those that would follow the aftermath of nuclear fallout, a zombie apocalypse or a worldwide health epidemic. The cataclysmic setting of worlds much worse than our own is very appealing to both teens and young adults.”

“The Hunger Games” stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth.  It is rated PG-13 and last 142 minutes.

Both films are free and open to the public. Popcorn and drinks will be served courtesy of the Friends of the Stillwater Library.

“One Book, One Community: Stillwater Reads Fahrenheit 451” is sponsored by Stillwater Public Library, OSU Library and Sheerar Museum of Stillwater History.

For more information, visit the Stillwater Public Library web site at http://library.stillwater.org, email askalibrarian@stillwater.org or call 405-372-3633.