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'.
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
Congo (1995)
5.1/10
Director: Frank Marshall
Starring: Dylan Walsh, Laura Linney, Ernie Hudson, Grant Heslov, Joe Don Baker, Tim Curry
Saturday-matinee type tale about a gorilla expert who goes on a trouble laden expedition to Africa. Adapted from a Michael Crichton ('Jurassic Park')... Read more
Kwaidan (1964)
8/10
Director: Masaki Kobayashi
Starring: Keiko Kishi, Tatsuya Nakadai, Kazuo Nakamura
Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Cannes, Masaki Kobayashi's 'Kwaidan' features four nightmarish tales adapted from Lafcadio Hearn's classic Japanes... Read more
Message in a Bottle (1999)
6.2/10
Director: Luis Mandoki
Starring: Illeana Douglas, John Savage, Kevin Costner, Paul Newman, Robbie Coltrane, Robin...
Moving romantic drama, based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks ("The Notebook"), about a newspaper researcher who finds a bottle with a passionate lette... Read more
The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie (1968)
7.6/10
Director: Ronald Neame
Starring: Maggie Smith, Robert Stephens, Gordon Jackson
Maggie Smith, in her Oscar-winning performance, is superb as the unconventional, eccentric teacher in an all-girls school in Edinburgh. Set during th... Read more
Reach for the Sky (1956)
7.3/10
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Starring: Kenneth More, Muriel Pavlow, Alexander Knox
A well told account of British pilot Douglas Bader (Kenneth More) who overcame the loss of both legs, to become one of the most remarkable fighter ace... Read more
The Sheltering Sky (1990)
6.8/10
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Starring: Debra Winger, John Malkovich, Campbell Scott
The screen version of Paul Bowles' celebrated 1949 novel about a New York couple who embark on an unusual journey through post World War II North Afri... Read more
Slaughterhouse Five (1972)
6.9/10
Director: George Roy Hill
Starring: Michael Sacks, Ron Leibman, Eugene Roche
Adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's bizarre fantasy novel follows the story of Billy Pilgrim, who becomes unstuck in time and jumps back and forth in his li... Read more
Heidi / Swiss Family Robinson (1958)
Director: Ken Annakin, Michael Ray Rhodes
Starring: James MacArthur, Dorothy McGuire, John Mills, Jason Robards, Jane Seymour, Patri...
'Heidi' - An orphaned girl is sent to live with her reclusive grandfather in the Swiss Alps and wins the bitter old man over with her bright spirit,... Read more
The Three Musketeers (1973)
7.3/10
Director: Richard Lester
Starring: Oliver Reed, Raquel Welch, Richard Chamberlain, Michael York, Faye Dunaway, Fran...
This delightful, tongue-in-cheek version of the Dumas classic artfullly mixes swashbuckling adventure with the romance of the times. Oliver Reed, Rich... Read more