Based on...
Books and films are two closely-related forms of art and entertainment. Since the science of film was first established in the late 1800s filmmakers have been using it to tell stories, and they soon began utilising the existing narratives and characters of novels. These films have succeeded (or not) to varying degrees in the transition, some accurately portraying the writer's intention, some building on it and some disappointing the original readers. No matter how well the adaptation is done however, it is still nice to be reminded that yes, happily, there is more to read than Harry Potter.
For screen translations of Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, Stephen King and many other notable authors click their links under this category, left. For adaptations of plays and Shakespeare, use the 'Alice's Playhouse' link.
Right: Kubrick's adaptation of Thackeray's novel 'Barry Lyndon'.
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
8.3/10
Director: Robert Mulligan
Starring: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Brock Peters, Phillip Alford, Robert Duvall
Gregory Peck won an Oscar for his portrayal of Atticus Finch, the defence lawyer of a black man accused of rape in the American South. Scripted by Hor... Read more
To Sir, With Love (1966)
7.7/10
Director: James Clavell
Starring: Sidney Poitier, Judy Geeson, Christian Roberts, Suzy Kendall, Lulu
Sidney Poitier is Mark Thackery, a no-vice teacher assigned to a slum school in London's East End. Faced with tough opposition from the disinterested... Read more
Tom Brown's School Days (1940)
6.8/10
Director: Robert Stevens, Robert Stevenson
Starring: Freddie Bartholomew, Cedric Hardwicke, Gale Storm
The engrossing saga of Tom's exploits in a boy's school that seems like a hell-house until he improves things. Freddie Bartholomew, Cedric Hardwicke.... Read more
Tom Brown's Schooldays (2004)
7.6/10
Director: David Moore
Starring: Stephen Fry, Jemma Redgrave, Alex Pettyfer, Gregory Moffett
Stephen Fry, Jemma Redgrave, Joseph Beattie and Alex Pettyfer star in this TV adaptation of Thomas Hughes' timeless coming of age tale. The time is th... Read more
Tom's Midnight Garden (1998)
6.8/10
Director: Willard Carroll
Starring: Greta Scacchi, James Wilby, Joan Plowright, Anthony Way
Adapted from the children's novel by Philippa Pearce, Tom is a 14-year-old sent off to visit his aunt and uncle (Greta Scacchi and James Wilby) in the... Read more
Tomorrow, When the War Began (2010)
6.2/10
Director: Stuart Beattie
Starring: Colin Friels, Andy Ryan, Chris Pang, Ashleigh Cummings, Phoebe Tonkin, Caitlin S...
Ellie (Caitlin Stasey) and her friends are in the last year of high school, living in a small, quiet town where it seems life will never change. They... Read more
Tony Takitani (2004)
7.4/10
Director: Jun Ichikawa
Starring: Issey Ogata, Rie Miyazawa
Tony Takitani is lonely. Since he was kid, bullied for his 'western' name and neglected by his jazz musician father, Tony has been apart from the res... Read more
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)
7.5/10
Director: Kinji Fukasaku, Richard Fleischer, Toshio Masuda
Starring: Martin Balsam, Jason Robards, Soh Yamamura, Joseph Cotten, Tatsuya Mihashi, E G...
This $25 million epic collaboration faithfully recreates the events leading up to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbour. An insightful and well-crafted Wor... Read more
Total Recall (1990)
7.5/10
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Starring: Sharon Stone, Rachel Ticotin, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a bored construction worker in the year 2084 who dreams of visiting the colonized Mars. He visits "Rekall," a... Read more
Touch of Evil (1958)
8.1/10
Director: Orson Welles
Starring: Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Orson Welles, Akim Tamiroff, Joseph Calleia, Marle...
This twisting cinematic masterpiece of style and suspense, based on the Whit Masterson novel, features Orson Welles as a corrupt cane-wielding officia... Read more