Director Explains Changes to Ending in All The Light We Cannot See
The director delves into the distinct conclusion of All The Light We Cannot See, revealing significant deviations from the original book's ending
Warning: This post contains spoilers for All the Light We Cannot See, both the book and show!
Article Overview
Director Shawn Levy discusses the alterations made to the conclusion of All the Light We Cannot See, highlighting a deeper bond between Marie-Laure and Werner and a conclusion filled with potential. The ending of the Netflix miniseries deviates from the novel by leaving the destinies of Marie-Laure and Werner uncertain, opting not to include the epilogue's information about Werner's sister discovering Marie-Laure.
Levy and the creative team aimed to offer a message of hope within the storyline's backdrop of loss and grief, despite facing criticism from certain novel fans. Director Shawn Levy recently discussed the alterations made to the ending of the Netflix miniseries All the Light We Cannot See. This adaptation takes place in World War II France and depicts the intertwined lives of Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind French girl, and Werner Pfennig, a German soldier. The talented cast of All the Light We Cannot See includes Aria Mia Loberti, Louis Hofmann, Lars Eidinger, Marion Bailey, Hugh Laurie, and Mark Ruffalo. While the show is based on Anthony Doerr's acclaimed novel, it has received backlash for the changes made, especially regarding its conclusion.
Levy, during an interview with The Wrap, discussed how the relationship between Marie-Laure and Werner evolved. In line with the book, they initially share a can of peaches, but Levy emphasized that the inclusion of a slow dance in the series "naturally suited the characters." Levy also addressed Werner's emotional fate, revealed in the epilogue, and explained how the ending of the show instills hope. See Levy's comments about the alterations in All the Light We Cannot See below:
"In the book, Werner and Marie always meet, but Steven Knight, Aria, Louis, and I had extensive discussions about that particular scene. It felt appropriate for the adaptation that these two characters would have a connection that goes beyond just a can of peaches. When you adapt a piece of material, you inevitably make decisions and introduce changes. The dance they share, along with a brief and tender kiss, is a departure from the original, but it resonated authentically with these characters."
"I hope that after the strike, Arya herself will address this point — it was crucial for Aria to portray this blind young woman as someone who is not only capable of desire but also desirable. I believe that Arya can convey this message more passionately and eloquently, which is why we decided to include it in the ending. The ending of the show is more open-ended compared to the book. Although I loved the book, I must admit that the outcomes for both Jutta and Werner in the epilogue chapters were devastating to me.
There is a great deal of loss and grief in this story, and Steven Knight and I, along with everyone involved in the show, wanted to confront this directly. Many characters lose their lives throughout the story, but we wanted to explore the possibility of hope in our ending. We are not stating definitively whether they will meet again in the future or not, but the central theme of this story is the potential for hope. Therefore, I wanted the series to end with an emotional gesture that also contains a seed of hope. Honestly, I have always believed in this theme, and as we discuss this in October 2023, I believe that reaffirming this theme in our current heartbreaking world is more important than ever."
How Is All The Light We Cannot See’s Ending Different?
In the conclusion of All the Light We Cannot See, the two characters meet and share a kiss. Werner promises Marie-Laure that they can reunite if she continues to broadcast over the radio. He then surrenders and is captured by American troops. As Saint-Malo celebrates its newfound freedom, Marie-Laure retrieves the Sea of Flames and throws it into the ocean. These final moments deviate from the original conclusion by leaving Werner and Marie-Laure's futures uncertain.
In the 2014 novel, Marie-Laure provides Werner a means to recover the Sea of Flames. However, he is apprehended by Americans and confined before accidentally triggering a landmine. The epilogue reveals that Werner's younger sister Jutta locates Marie-Laure in France after his death. This decision to omit these details represents one of the significant changes in All the Light We Cannot See. Nevertheless, Levy explains that the chosen ending imbues the story with hope.
It is intriguing to learn about the reasons behind the modifications made for the Netflix ending of "All the Light We Cannot See". Fans who are familiar with Doerr's work have expressed their dissatisfaction with the series. Hence, it is worthwhile to consider the opinion of newer audiences regarding the conclusion and to contemplate how it would have been if it had adhered to the original material. All adaptations face the necessity of altering the source material, and although Levy and the creative team carefully deliberated on this particular change, it has still stirred controversy.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about the changes made to the ending of All the Light We Cannot See. On the one hand, I understand the director's desire to offer a message of hope within the storyline's backdrop of loss and grief. The inclusion of a slow dance and a tender kiss between Marie-Laure and Werner adds a touch of romance and optimism to their relationship, which I appreciate.
On the other hand, I feel that the changes made to the ending undermine the powerful and poignant conclusion of the novel. In the book, Werner's fate is revealed in the epilogue, and it is clear that he does not survive the war. This adds a sense of tragedy and loss to the story, which I believe is important in conveying the harsh realities of war. By leaving Werner's fate uncertain in the series, the impact of his death is lessened, and the ending feels less emotionally satisfying.
