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'.
The Trial (1993)
6/10
Director: David Jones
Starring: Kyle MacLachlan, Anthony Hopkins, Jason Robards
Kafka's landmark novel is brought to life with a faithful Harold Pinter screenplay, superior Prague locations and an excellent cast including Kyle Mac... Read more
Crash (1996)
6.4/10
Director: David Cronenberg
Starring: James Spader, Holly Hunter, Elias Koteas, Rosanna Arquette, Deborah Kara Unger
James Spader, Holly Hunter and Rosanna Arquette are a motley assortment of car crash survivors seeking more and more perverse thrills to communicate,... Read more
Time Regained (1999)
6.8/10
Director: Raoul Ruiz
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Emmanuelle Beart, John Malkovich, Vincent Perez
AKA 'Le Temps Retrouve'. A supremely elegant, beautifully designed adaptation of the last volume of Proust's masterwork 'Remembrance of Things Past'.... Read more
Daughters of Darkness (1971)
6.7/10
Director: Harry Kumel
Starring: John Karlen, Delphine Seyrig, Andrea Rau, Daniele Quimet, Paul Esser
Delphine Seyrig (Stolen Kisses), is an Hungarian countess and present-day vampiress who, in order to continue her daily blood baths, must continually... Read more
The River (1951)
7.6/10
Director: Jean Renoir
Starring: Nora Swinburne, Esmond Knight
In 1949 and 1950, Renoir travelled to Bengal for his first colour film - the story of a large British family living on the banks of the Ganges. Winnin... Read more
1915 (1982)
7.3/10
Starring: Scott McGregor, Scott Burgess, Sigrid Thornton, Jackie Woodbourne, Bill Hunter,...
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
Frankenstein (2004)
4.6/10
Director: Kevin Connor
Starring: Luke Goss, Alec Newman, Donald Sutherland, Julie Delpy, William Hurt
This mini-series adaptation of Mary Shelley's seminal horror story is perhaps one of the most faithful to date. Donald Sutherland is great as the old... Read more
Children On Their Birthdays (2002)
6.5/10
Director: Mark Medoff
Starring: Phyllis Frelich, Lucina Paquet, Cynthia Baker, Joe Pichler, Jesse Plemons, Ritch...
Billy Bob is growing up in post-war Alabama. His dad was killed in the war and his best friend has an untempered mischievous streak. When 13 year ol... Read more
Must Love Dogs (2005)
5.9/10
Director: Gary David Goldberg
Starring: John Cusack, Diane Lane, Elizabeth Perkins, Dermot Mulroney, Christopher Plummer...
Based on the best-selling novel, Sarah (Diane Lane) is still in a post-divorce funk when her sisters start thinking she needs to get back in the game... Read more
Tom's Midnight Garden (1998)
6.8/10
Director: Willard Carroll
Starring: Greta Scacchi, James Wilby, Joan Plowright, Anthony Way
Adapted from the children's novel by Philippa Pearce, Tom is a 14-year-old sent off to visit his aunt and uncle (Greta Scacchi and James Wilby) in the... Read more