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'.
Angel Heart (1987)
7.3/10
Director: Alan Parker
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet, Charlotte Rampling
Mickey Rourke is thrown into a head-bending world of violence and voodoo that moves from the streets of New York to the swamps of Louisiana. Lisa Bone... Read more
Angela's Ashes (1999)
7.3/10
Director: Alan Parker
Starring: Emily Watson, Robert Carlyle
Director Alan Parker expertly brings Frank McCourt's acclaimed recollection of life in 1930s Limerick, Ireland, to the screen in this touching and emo... Read more
Angels and Demons (2009)
4.3/10
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgard, Tom Hanks, Nikolaj Lie Ka...
Tom Hanks returns as Dan Brown's puzzle-loving hero in this prequel to 'The Da Vinci Code' and once again the Catholic Church and the shadowy Illumina... Read more
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008)
6.4/10
Director: Gurinder Chadha
Starring: Georgia Groome, Eleanor Tomlinson, Aaron Johnson, Alan Davies, Karen Taylor
Georgia is a rambunctious, boy-crazy teen living in Eastbourne, England, where she and her mates spend their days puzzling over the strange new world... Read more
Animal Farm (1954)
7.2/10
Director: John Halas, Joy Batchelor
Starring: Gordon Heath, Voices Of, Maurice Denham
George Orwell's allegorical examination of totalitarianism and revolutionary thought is transported into animated form to tell the tale of the oppress... Read more
Animal Farm (1999)
6/10
Director: John Stephenson
Starring: Voices Of, Kelsey Grammer, Ian Holm, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Julia Ormond, Pete Pos...
Wonderful effects by Jim Henson's Creature Shop bring to life the barnyard rebels of George Orwell's classic cautionary tale. Rallying in search of a... Read more
Anna Karenina (1935)
7.1/10
Director: Clarence Brown
Starring: Greta Garbo, Fredric March, Freddie Bartholomew
Widely regarded as the best filmization of Tolstoy's illicit romance in the imperial court of Russia. Garbo is the tilte character, sheltered wife o... Read more
Anna Karenina (BBC) (1990)
6.6/10
Director: Basil Coleman
Starring: Nicola Pagett, Eric Porter, Stuart Wilson
Nicola Pagett stars as Anna Karenina in this wonderful adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's powerful and timeless tale of passion set in Russia in the 1870s. A... Read more
Anne Of Green Gables (1985)
8.4/10
Director: Kevin Rodney Sullivan
Starring: Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, Richard Farnsworth
Canadian actress Megan Follows, Tony Award winner Colleen Dewhurst and Richard Farnsworth are featured in this award-winning epic that follows the pro... Read more
Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000)
6.9/10
Director: Stefan Scaini
Starring: Megan Follows, Jonathan Crombie, Cameron Daddo
Anne moves to New York with her fiance Gilbert, hoping to begin her writing career as he begins work in his first big city hospital. Unfortunately, Av... Read more