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'.
Planet of the Apes (1967)
5.7/10
Director: Franklin J Schaffner
Starring: Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, Jame...
The original, classic sci-fi film based on Pierre Boulle's novel "Monkey Planet" stars Charlton Heston as Taylor, an astronaut who ends up stranded on... Read more
Manhunter (1986)
7.2/10
Director: Michael Mann
Starring: William Petersen, Kim Greist, Joan Allen, Brian Cox
From the novel 'Red Dragon' by Thomas Harris ('The Silence of the Lambs', 'Hannibal') comes this thriller about a neurotic FBI agent specialising in s... Read more
Watership Down (1978)
7.7/10
Director: Martin Rosen
Starring: Voices Of, John Hurt, Richard Briers, Ralph Richardson, Simon Cadell, Terence Ri...
Director Martin Rosen's acclaimed animated version of the Richard Adam's novel about a family of rabbits seeking a safe place to live as developers mo... Read more
The Forsyte Saga (2002)
8.2/10
Director: Christopher Menaul, Dave Moore
Starring: John Carlisle, Rupert Graves, Barbara Flynn, Gina McKee, Damian Lewis
A classic of English literature, 'The Forsyte Saga' paints a fascinating picture of early twentieth century London life, charting the progress of a gr... Read more
The Last Picture Show (1971)
8.1/10
Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Starring: Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Ben Johnson, Ellen Burstyn, Cloris Leachman, Cybi...
Peter Bogdanovich's masterfully rendered, critically acclaimed drama follows the loves, dreams and fates of the denizens of a small Texas town in the... Read more
Control (2007)
7.7/10
Director: Anton Corbijn
Starring: Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Alexandra Maria Lara, Joe Anderson, Toby Kebbell
Globally renowned photographer and image-maker to superstar bands like Depeche Mode and U2, Anton Corbijn brings us his first feature film. It tells t... Read more
Cadfael: Series 1 (1994)
8.2/10
Director: Graham Theakston
Starring: Derek Jacobi, Sean Pertwee, Michael Culver, Julian Firth
Acclaimed actor Sir Derek Jacobi stars as Brother Cadfael, a former soldier, sailor and crusader who is now set on a path to God. Ahead of his time,... Read more
A Very Long Engagement (2004)
7.7/10
Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Starring: Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Ulliel, Jean-Pierre Becker, Dominique Bettenfeld, Clovis...
In 1919, Mathilde (Audrey Tautou) was 19 years old. Two years earlier, her fiance Manech (Gaspard Ulliel) left for the front at the Somme. Like millio... Read more
Jeeves and Wooster: Series 3 (1992)
8.4/10
Starring: Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Robert Daws, Julian Firth, Pip Torrens
The perfectly cast Fry and Laurie are back in series three as the comic mayhem spreads across the Atlantic. Wooster flees the idea of marriage, but he... Read more
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
7.7/10
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Mic...
Harry and friends start their fourth and most challenging year at Hogwart's School of Magic. The new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Mad-Eye M... Read more