Jumanji (TF1): Which famous game inspired the author of the novel?

“Jumanji” is a children's novel written by Chris Van Allsburg, published in 1981. The story revolves around two children, Judy and Peter, who discover a mysterious board game called Jumanji. With each turn, the events of the game come to life, transforming their home into a dangerous jungle populated by wild animals and strange phenomena. The book is famous for its black and white illustrations and its magical yet eerie atmosphere. “Jumanji” won the Caldecott Medal, an award given by the Association for Library Service to Children to the illustrator of the best American children's book of the year, in 1982 and inspired several successful film adaptations, including 1996's Joe Johnston.

Robin Williams and Kirsten Dunst reunited

The latter's film is presented as follows: “During a game of Jumanji, a very old game, young Alan is propelled before the eyes of his childhood friend, Sarah, into a strange country. He will only be able to escape when another player takes over the game and will free him on a roll of the dice twenty-six years later, he finds the real world through the roll of the dice of two other young players.. We find Robin Williams in the role of Alan Parrish but also a young Kirsten Dunst in the skin of Judy Shepherd. TF1 broadcast the film this Monday, December 23 at 2 p.m., the opportunity to look back on the genesis of Chris Van Allsburg's novel which therefore resulted in several film adaptations.

What famous game was Jumanji inspired by?

To create Jumanji, a word which comes from Zulu and means “several effects”the writer was inspired by the game of Monopoly. The idea came to him while observing how a board game can captivate and draw players into a fictional adventure. He wanted to imagine a game where the events and dangers of the board would come to life in the real world, thereby increasing the level of suspense and fantasy in the gaming experience.

Frustrated that at the end of Monopoly, he was left with only fake bills, Chris Van Allsburg explained in an interview: “When I was a kid and I played Monopoly it seemed exciting at first and then when I finished all I had left was fake money. I thought it would be much more challenging and fun to have a game in which each square promised you a real adventure”.