A Hutcheonian reading of Liv Ullmann’s film adaptation of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie

This article explores Liv Ullmann’s film adaptation of August Strindberg’s play Miss Julie , utilizing Linda Hutcheon’s A Theory of Adaptation as an analytical framework. The study examines modifications to narrative structure, themes, characters and settings to determine the motivations behind these changes and their impact on the adaptation’s fidelity to Strindberg’s original work. The central questions of this investigation are: in what ways does Ullmann’s adaptation demonstrate Hutcheon’s notion of critical distance regarding the source material while introducing thematic or stylistic modifications? How do alterations impact the adaptation’s portrayal of characters, themes, settings and narrative? The article argues that as a contemporary female director, Ullmann offers a unique perspective that challenges Strindberg’s misogyny and provides a new, visually engaging interpretation that appeals to modern viewers while remaining respectful of the original work. Her adaptation combines theatrical with cinematic storytelling, skilfully navigating the complexities of bringing the play to the screen. Ullmann’s method shows how a film adaptation can pay homage to its source material while standing on its own, presenting new perspectives on well-known themes and characters.