john knowles modern masterpiece and a separate peace and be one of many subtle and and subtly be the watch word and theme of love and hate and jealously and denial and regret . the 1972 version do attempt to address this style and what the book be a love story with war loom in the background . the 2004 version do not use subtly at all but overtness in the portrayal of the story . what be star you in the face when you read the novel be a love story and and yes maybe it be arguable and a gay love story . in the novel and 1972 film version there be sexual undertone everywhere in the writing and dialog . in the 2004 showtime film version these tension be omit and the actor be in there late twenty play teenager which cause for mature act take away from any tenderness or hesitation of innocence in youth . i do not like this remake for more reason . the hair that break the camel back be that phineas be give a surname on the letter he receive from the draft board . finny be a character that do not have nor need a last name . john knowles do that intentionally . though i accept the 1972 version the acting be at time a little amateurish and so what and it attempt to be sincere to the novel by shoot on location at phillips exeter academy that the devon acedemy be base on while which also the writer john knowles attend a a student . the director and producer take all teenage exeter student and with exception of parker stevenson whom attend the brooks school and to play in a paramount film . class act by preppies compare to this canadian college shot and play with adult actor and politically correct and platonic version . no veto on this sham try again . the 1972 film version with john heyl and parker stevenson be the real deal for a separate peace on the screen . the showtime 2004 film make for cable version be not .