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 Perfect Day (2006)
5.5/10
Director: Peter Levin
Starring: Rob Lowe, Christopher Lloyd, Frances Conroy, Paget Brewster
Family man Robert Harlan (Rob Lowe) is made redundant and decides to do something with the novel he's been writing. Thanks to literary agent Camille... Read more
A River Runs Through It (1992)
7.3/10
Director: Robert Redford
Starring: Tom Skerritt, Emily Lloyd, Craig Sheffer, Brenda Blethyn, Brad Pitt
Robert Redford's elegiac coming-of-age story is based on the memoir by Norman MacLean. Brad Pitt is the young man who finds peace and comradeship in f... Read more
A River Runs Through It ( Blu-ray ) (1992)
7.3/10
Director: Robert Redford
Starring: Brad Pitt, Brenda Blethyn, Craig Sheffer, Emily Lloyd, Tom Skerritt
Robert Redford's elegiac coming-of-age story is based on the memoir by Norman MacLean. Brad Pitt is the young man who finds peace and comradeship in f... Read more
A Simple Plan (1998)
7.5/10
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Bridget Fonda, Billy Bob Thornton, Bill Paxton
Captivated by the lure of sudden wealth, the quiet rural lives of two brothers erupt into conflicts of greed, paranoia and distrust when over 4 millio... Read more
A Thousand Acres (1997)
6/10
Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Lange, Jason Robards
The powerhouse cast of Michelle Pfeiffer, Jessica Lange, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jason Robards tackle Jane Smiley's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of K... Read more
A Time to Love and a Time to Die (1958)
7.8/10
Director: Douglas Sirk
Starring: John Gavin, Lilo Pulver, Jock Mahoney, Don DeFore, Keenan Wynn
Douglas Sirk's wartime romance is based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque, author of the classic anti-war novel 'All Quiet On the Western Front', w... Read more
A Time to Love and a Time to Die (Blu-ray) (1958)
7.7/10
Director: Douglas Sirk
Starring: Don DeFore, Keenan Wynn, John Gavin, Jock Mahoney, Lilo Pulver
Douglas Sirk's wartime romance is based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque, author of the classic anti-war novel 'All Quiet On the Western Front', w... Read more
A Touch of Frost: Series 1 (1992)
7.8/10
Starring: David Jason, Jeff Rawles, Sara Stewart
David Jason stars as unconventional policeman Detective Inspector Jack Frost, whose arrogance and indifference to orthodox police procedures masks a k... Read more
A Touch of Frost: Series 13 and 14 (2008)
7.8/10
Director: Various
Starring: David Jason, Tony Charles, John Lyons, Christopher Blake, Bruce Alexander, Micha...
David Jason returns as unconventional policeman Detective Inspector Jack Frost in this three-disc set incorporating both series 13 and 14 in three thr... Read more
A Touch of Frost: Series 2 (1994)
7.8/10
Starring: David Jason, Lennie James, Sara Stewart
The unconventional adventures of Detective Inspector Frost (from the crime novels of R.D. Wingfield) continue in this second season. In 'A Minority of... Read more