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Does this list need defining? Some explanation of its context? What does based on mean exactly? Or should it be deleted? - Kleinzach 00:47, 10 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I see that Pegship has moved List of films based on classical operas to List of films based on operas (quote) "per Kleinzach & common usage, rem redundant "classical" . This is fine however it doesn't answer the question (above) What does based on mean exactly?. If there is no answer then I think the article should be deleted. --Kleinzach 23:35, 4 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Write a definition. Let others modify it. Varlaam (talk) 02:54, 9 April 2010 (UTC)[reply]
How about this as food for discussion - it's wordy but I think it covers the major points:
A film is based on an opera when:
(a) the plot is largely that of the opera and there are clear indications, either within the film itself or in other reliable sources, that the opera was the source for the film (and not, for example, a non-operatic work on which both film and opera are coincidentally based).
or (b) the musical soundtrack of the film is drawn entirely or almost entirely from the opera, and uses a substantial part of the opera (rather than, for example, using one small portion repeatedly).
or (c) most or all of the film depicts a performance of the opera.
or (d) the plot of the film deals largely with the composer, the librettist or performers (fictional or real) of the opera, with the specific opera (not opera in general) being frequently discussed and playing a significant role in the narrative, even if it is not heard or seen.
or (e) the film is a documentary most or all of which is concerned with the specific opera (not, for example, a documentary dealing generally with the composer and only covering the opera as one of many works).
