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'.
A Clockwork Orange ( Blu-ray ) (1971)
8.3/10
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Adrienne Corri, Miriam Karlin
Stanley Kubrick's dark, dazzling, ironic tale of an ultra-violent future filled with marauding gangs, decaying cities and bizarre technologies. Follow... Read more
A Dry White Season (1989)
7/10
Director: Euzhan Palcy
Starring: Donald Sutherland, Janet Suzman, Zakes Mokae, Jurgen Prochnow, Susan Sarandon, M...
Donald Sutherland is South African school teacher Ben du Toit, someone who has remained isolated from the racial violence in his country until his bla... Read more
A Fortunate Life (1985)
7.9/10
Director: Henri Safran, Marcus Cole
Starring: Bill Kerr, Dorothy Alison, Benedict Sweeney, Dominic Sweeney
Based on A.B. Facey's seminal autobiographical novel, this acclaimed production spans the years from 1897 to 1916, from the Australian outback to Gall... Read more
A Good Year (2006)
7/10
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Russell Crowe, Freddie Highmore, Albert Finney, Archie Panjabi, Rafe Spall, Mari...
Max Skinner (Russel Crowe) is a high-powered city trader and self-proclaimed 'greedy bastard' who hears that his once-beloved uncle (Albert Finney) ha... Read more
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
7/10
Director: Dito Montiel
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Rosario Dawson, Shia LaBeouf, Chazz Palminteri, Dianne Wiest,...
Writer/director Dito Montiel unflinchingly lays bare the story of his life, and in particular his youth, in the rough New York suburb of Astoria. Rob... Read more
A Home at the End of the World (2004)
6.8/10
Director: Michael Mayer
Starring: Colin Farrell, Robin Wright, Dallas Roberts, Sissy Spacek
Best friends and once teen-lovers Bobby (Colin Farrell) and Jonathan (Dallas Roberts) reunite after a long separation. Bobby is now a charismatic het... Read more
A Horseman Riding By (1978)
7.5/10
Director: Paul Ciapessoni, Philip Dudley, Alan Grint
Starring: Nigel Havers, Glyn Houston, Fiona Gaunt, Prunella Ransome, Gillian McCutcheon
A 13-part BBC adaptation of RF Delderfield's novel, features Nigel Havers, in an early starring role, as young Boer War vet, Paul Craddock, who is inv... Read more
A Kiss Before Dying (1991)
5.7/10
Director: James Dearden
Starring: Matt Dillon, Diane Ladd, Max von Sydow, Sean Young, James Russo
In this gripping remake of the 1956 thriller, Matt Dillon plays a psychotic yuppie who kills his girlfriend and then marries her twin sister (Sean You... Read more
A Man for All Seasons (1966)
7.9/10
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Starring: Wendy Hiller, John Hurt, Leo McKern, Paul Scofield, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, S...
Adapted by Robert Bolt and Constance Willis from Bolt's hit stage play, this is a literate, penetrating treatment of the conflict between Thomas More... Read more
A Map of the World (1999)
6.7/10
Director: Scott Elliott
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Julianne Moore, David Strathairn, Ron Lea, Arliss Howard, Chlo...
Alice (Sigourney Weaver) and Howard (David Strathairn) have moved to a small town to pursue Howard's dream of owning a farm. An outspoken woman, Alice... Read more