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'.
Bernard Shaw Collection: Vol. 1 (1989)
Director: David Jones, Desmond Davis, Herbert Wise, James Cellan Jones
Starring: Coral Browne, Penelope Wilton, James Grout, Derek Godfrey, Robert Powell, Helena...
This collection of BBC adaptations brings to life the memorable characterizations, brilliant command of language, and dazzling wit of Bernard Shaw's c... Read more
Bernard Shaw Collection: Vol. 2 (1972)
Director: William Slater, Cedric Messina, Ronald Smedley
Starring: Maggie Smith, Tom Baker, Charles Gray, James Villiers, Helen Mirren, Prunella Sc...
Bernard Shaw sits among the great playwrights of the English language; this collection brings together five of his classic plays as adapted by the BBC... Read more
Billy Bathgate (1992)
5.9/10
Director: Robert Benton
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman, Bruce Willis
A fast paced tense adaptation of E.L. Doctorow's novel recounting the fall of mobster Dutch Schultz (Dustin Hoffman) as seen through the eyes of an am... Read more
Billy Budd (1962)
7.9/10
Director: Peter Ustinov
Starring: Peter Ustinov, Terence Stamp, Robert Ryan, Melvyn Douglas, David McCallum
Herman Melville's classic sea story receives a superb treatment with Peter Ustinov behind the lens. In his first film, Terence Stamp is Billy Budd, an... Read more
Birdy (1984)
7.3/10
Director: Alan Parker
Starring: Matthew Modine, Nicolas Cage, John Harkins
A spellbinding, captivating movie about a Vietnam vet who has come to believe he is a bird, and the efforts of his best friend to break him out of his... Read more
Bitter Harvest (2001)
6.1/10
Director: Goran Paskaljevic
Starring: Colm Meaney, Cillian Murphy, Kerry Condon, Adrian Dunbar
Irish farmer Harry (Colm Meaney) has the rather odd idea that a man is measured by his enemies and decides to take on George, the most powerful man in... Read more
Black Angel (1946)
7/10
Director: Roy William Neill
Starring: Dan Duryea, June Vincent, Peter Lorre, Broderick Crawford, Wallace Ford, John Ph...
An imaginative and effective noir adapted from the novel by Cornell Woolrich, with Dan Duryea as a down-hearted musician who goes on a bender after hi... Read more
Black Robe (1991)
7.1/10
Director: Bruce Beresford
Starring: Lothaire Bluteau, August Schellenberg
In the turbulent 17th century, Jesuit priest Father Laforgue travels to Quebec to convert the Indian tribes. Cultures clash, romances flourish and the... Read more
Blame It on Fidel! (2006)
7.6/10
Director: Julie Gavras
Starring: Nina Kervel-Bey, Julie Depardieu, Stefano Accorsi, Benjamin Feuillet, Martine Ch...
It's 1970 in Paris, Charles de Gaulle is dead, the socialist Salvador Allende has come to power in Chile, and French women are demanding their rights.... Read more
Bleak House (2005)
8.4/10
Director: Justin Chadwick, Susanna White
Starring: Gillian Anderson, Alun Armstrong, Charlie Brooks, Warren Clarke, Pauline Collins...
Another stellar Dickens adaptation here penned by Andrew Davies ('Bridget Jones' Diary', the BBC's 'Pride and Prejudice'). Thrilling and romantic, the... Read more