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'.
Aladdin (2019)
7.2/10
Director: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Navid Nagahban, Billy Magnussen
DescriptionAladdin is a lovable street urchin who meets Princess Jasmine, the beautiful daughter of the sultan of Agrabah. While visiting her exotic p... Read more
Aladdin (Blu-Ray) (2019)
8/10
Director: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Navid Nagahban, Billy Magnussen
DescriptionAladdin is a lovable street urchin who meets Princess Jasmine, the beautiful daughter of the sultan of Agrabah. While visiting her exotic p... Read more
Alatriste (2006)
6.1/10
Director: Agustin Diaz Yanes
Starring: Javier Camara, Viggo Mortensen, Elena Anaya, Eduard Fernandez, Enrico Lo Verso
Viggo Mortensen leads an all-star cast in this swashbuckling period drama about Diego Alatriste, a former soldier and mercenary who becomes a hero of... Read more
Alex (1993)
7/10
Director: Megan Simpson
Starring: Lauren Jackson, Chris Haywood, Josh Picker
The story of a determined young woman's quest against setbacks, intense rivalry and personal tragedy to win selection for the 1960 Olympic Games in Ro... Read more
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Alice in Wonderland (1933)
6.5/10
Director: Norman Z McLeod
Starring: Cary Grant, Charlotte Henry, Edna May Oliver, Edward Everett Horton, Gary Cooper...
An incredible ensemble cast (Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Edna May oliver, W.C. Fields, etc) led the producers to dub this film 'The Entertainment Miracle... Read more
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
6.5/10
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Crispin Glover, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, Matt Lucas, Mia Wasikowska, A...
Part live action, part computer animated, Tim Burton's take on Lewis Carroll's classic tale follows 19-year-old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) as she leaves h... Read more
Alice in Wonderland ( Blu-ray ) (2010)
6.5/10
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Alan Rickman, Crispin Glover, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, Stephen Fry, Ti...
Part live action, part computer animated, Tim Burton's take on Lewis Carroll's classic tale follows 19-year-old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) as she leaves h... Read more
All Creatures Great and Small: Series 2, Volume 1 (1984)
8.3/10
Director: Peter Moffatt
Starring: Christopher Timothy, Robert Hardy, Carol Drinkwater
Filmed in the glorious Yorkshire Dales, this much-loved series brings the world of veterinarian James Herriot to life with all the warmth and humour o... Read more
All Night Long (1961)
5.9/10
Director: Basil Dearden, Michael Relph
Starring: Richard Attenborough, Patrick McGoohan, Keith Michell, Betsy Blair, Charles Ming...
Directed by Basil Dearden and set in London's jazz scene of the 1950s, this atmospheric updating of Shakespeare's 'Othello' features appearances by so... Read more
All The King's Men (2006)
6.2/10
Director: Steven Zaillian
Starring: Sean Penn, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Anthony Hopkins, Patricia Clarkson, James Gan...
Based on Robert Penn Warren's Pulitzer-winning novel about a populist Southern poitician corrupted by power. Set during the Great Depression and movi... Read more