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'.
Based on a series of short stories by famed writer Etgar Keret, this feat of stop-motion animation poses the question 'what's the meaning of life' and... Read more
Director Jules Dassin collaborated with author Marguerite Duras for this haunting adaptation of her novel. Peter Finch and Melina Mercouri are an unha... Read more
Based on Gavin Menzies' controversial book and his '1421 theory' that Chinese mariners had explored and charted the world, long before Europeans. Fol... Read more
Boyhood friends Walter and Billy have formed a pact - if one enlists in England's war so will the other. Split between the young men as they go off t... Read more
An extraordinary film version of George Orwell's dystopian masterpiece, starring John Hurt and Richard Burton. A story of impossible love and tragic b... Read more
Light years ahead of its time, this groundbreaking, visually stunning masterpiece grows even more wondrous as time passes. Beginning with The Dawn of... Read more
Light years ahead of its time, this groundbreaking, visually stunning masterpiece grows even more wondrous as time passes. Beginning with The Dawn of... Read more
For 30 days every winter the isolated town of Barrow, Alaska is plunged into complete darkness. It's a bitter time when most of the inhabitants head s... Read more
For 30 days every winter the isolated town of Barrow, Alaska is plunged into complete darkness. It's a bitter time when most of the inhabitants head s... Read more
A hyper-real, testosterone-laden interpretation of the Spartan legend, based on Frank Miller's graphic novel and drenched in the same CGI-enhanced gol... Read more