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 Touch of Frost: Series 3 (1995)
7.8/10
Starring: David Jason, Bruce Alexander, John Lyons, Arthur White
Detective Inspector Frost returns for four new cases. In 'Appropriate Adults' he interviews a man with Down's syndrome who appears gentle but may be i... Read more
A Town Like Alice (1956)
7.2/10
Director: Jack Lee
Starring: Virginia McKenna, Peter Finch, Maureen Swanson
Based on Neville Shute's internationally bestselling WWII tale about Japanese oppression of female British POWs in Malaysia. Virginia McKenna, Peter F... Read more
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (1945)
8.1/10
Director: Elia Kazan
Starring: Dorothy McGuire, Joan Blondell, James Dunn
Peggy Ann Gardner finds that life can be difficult if you are poor and live in Brooklyn at the turn of the century. Adapted from Betty Smith's novel,... Read more
A Very English Scandal (2018)
7.9/10
Director: Stephen Frears
Starring: Hugh Grant, Ben Whishaw, Monica Dolan, Alice Orr-Ewing, Alex Jennings, Jonathan...
British Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe is accused of conspiracy to murder his gay ex-lover and forced to stand trial in 1979. Read more
A Very Long Engagement (2004)
7.7/10
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Starring: Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Ulliel, Jean-Pierre Becker, Dominique Bettenfeld, Clovis...
In 1919, Mathilde (Audrey Tautou) was 19 years old. Two years earlier, her fiance Manech (Gaspard Ulliel) left for the front at the Somme. Like millio... Read more
A World Without Thieves (2004)
7.3/10
Director: Feng Xiaogang
Starring: Andy Lau, Rene Liu, Ge You, Baoqiang Wang, Bingbing Li
Bo (Andy Lau) and Li (Rene Liu) play a pair of expert grifters who have just amassed a large wad of cash, prompting Li to say she wants out of the biz... Read more
A Year in Provence (1993)
7.6/10
Director: David Tucker
Starring: John Thaw, Lindsay Duncan
Having decided to leave their jobs, London and the rat race behind them, the Mayles head off to the South of France, seduced by the prospect of the id... Read more
Across the Bridge (1957)
7.3/10
Director: Ken Annakin
Starring: Bernard Lee, Rod Steiger, Marla Landi, David Knight, Noel Willman
Based on a novel by Graham Greene, this compelling crime drama stars Rod Steiger as an embezzling financier who flees to Mexico to avoid capture. Stei... Read more
Adaptation (2002)
7.7/10
Director: Spike Jonze
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Tilda Swinton, Brian Cox
From the "Being John Malkovich" duo of director Spike Jonze and writer Charlie Kaufman comes this stunningly original comedy that seamlessly blends fi... Read more
Affinity (2008)
6.4/10
Director: Tim Fywell
Starring: Amanda Plummer, Zoe Tapper, Anna Madeley
Upper class Victorian Margaret Prior is lost in grief for her late father. After a failed suicide attempt, Margaret escapes her troubles by becoming a... Read more