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'.
Watership Down: Volume 2 - Strawberry Fayre (1999)
7.7/10
Starring: (Voices of) , Rik Mayall, Jane Horrocks, John Hurt, Stephen Fry, Phill Jupitus
Volume 2 of the animated TV series based on the characters from Richard Adams' novel "Watership Down". A sweet and remarkable tale of friendship, surv... Read more
We Don't Live Here Anymore (2003)
6.3/10
Director: John Curran
Starring: Naomi Watts, Mark Ruffalo, Laura Dern, Peter Krause
From director John Curran ('Praise') comes an unflinching portrait of two marriages on the rocks. Mark Ruffalo and Laura Dern capture the casual crue... Read more
Wendy and Lucy (2008)
7.1/10
Director: Kelly Reichardt
Starring: Michelle Williams, John Robinson, Will Oldham, Will Patton
The intimate tale of Wendy (Michelle Williams), sick of her unappreciated life in Indiana, who packs up her car and her dog, Lucy, and heads off for a... Read more
Whale Rider (2002)
7.6/10
Director: Niki Caro
Starring: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Cliff Curtis, Vicky Haughton, Rawiri Paratene, Grant Roa,...
There is a legend that Paikea rode on the back of a whale and led his people to New Zealand. Since that time tradition has decreed that the first-born... Read more
What Just Happened (2008)
5.7/10
Director: Barry Levinson
Starring: Robert De Niro, Sean Penn, Catherine Keener, Bruce Willis, John Turturro, Robin...
A satirical swipe at Tinseltown with Robert De Niro as Ben, a struggling movie producer who has just gone through his second divorce, and feels his so... Read more
When Eight Bells Toll (1970)
6/10
Director: Etienne Perier
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Nathalie Delon, Robert Morley, Jack Hawkins
Alistair MacLean adapted the screenplay for 'When Eight Bells Toll' from his own novel. It stars Anthony Hopkins as a ruthless spy, moving about Scotl... Read more
Where the Buffalo Roam (1980)
6.7/10
Director: Art Linson
Starring: Bill Murray, Peter Boyle, Bruno Kirby, Rene Auberjonois
Bill Murray takes on the role of American 'gonzo' journalist Hunter S. Thompson whose passion for writing was equalled only by his love of drugs, alco... Read more
Where the Truth Lies (2005)
6.5/10
Director: Atom Egoyan
Starring: Kevin Bacon, Colin Firth, Alison Lohman, David Hayman, Rachel Blanchard, Maury C...
In the mid 1950s, Lanny Morris (Kevin Bacon) and Vince Collins (Colin Firth) were a wildly popular comedy team who suddenly broke up, at the peak of t... Read more
Whore ( aka The Life ) (2003)
5.6/10
Director: Luna
Starring: Denise Richards, Daryl Hannah, Joaquim de Almeida
Directed in a surreal documentary style, filmed viginettes spoken directly to the camera by prostitutes, porn stars and pimps are interlaced with a fi... Read more
Wim Wenders' Road Movies: Alice In The Cities (1973) / Wrong Move (1975) / Kings Of The Road (1976)
Director: Wim Wenders
Starring: Rudiger Vogler, Yella Rottlander, Lisa Kreuzer, Hanna Schygulla, Hanns Zischler
This trilogy of road movies from acclaimed German director Wim Wenders, starring Rudiger Vogler, form a commentary on the adoption of American culture... Read more