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'.
Daffodils (2019)
7.5/10
Director: David Stubbs
Starring: Rose McIver, George Mason
A bittersweet love story told through enchanting re-imaginings of popular and iconic New Zealand songs. Read more
The Bad Seed (2019)
7.5/10
Starring: Matt Minto, Dean O'Gorman, Jodie Hillock, Xavier Horan, Chelsie Preston Crayford...
The Bad Seed tells the story of two brothers from a dysfunctional family who have raised themselves up from the desperate days of their early childhoo... Read more
Storm Boy (2019)
7/10
Director: Shawn Seet
Starring: Geoffrey Rush, Jai Courtney, Erik Thomson
‘Storm Boy' has grown up to be Michael Kingley, a successful retired businessman and grandfather. When Kingley starts to see images from his past that... Read more
Storm Boy (Blu-Ray) (2019)
7.2/10
Director: Shawn Seet
Starring: Geoffrey Rush, Jai Courtney, Erik Thomson
‘Storm Boy' has grown up to be Michael Kingley, a successful retired businessman and grandfather. When Kingley starts to see images from his past that... Read more
Claire Darling (2018)
6.1/10
Director: Julie Bertuccelli
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Chiara Mastroianni, Alice Taglioni
In Verderonne, a small village in the Oise, it's the first day of summer and Claire Darling wakes up convinced to live her last day - She then decides... Read more
Les Miserables (Miniseries) (2018)
7.3/10
Director: Tom Shankland
Starring: Dominic West, David Oyelowo, Lily Collins, Adeel Akhtar, Johnny Flynn, Henry Llo...
Television adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel, which follows Jean Valjean as he evades capture by the unyielding Inspector Javert. Set against... Read more
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
7.2/10
Director: Barry Jenkins
Starring: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Teyonah Parris, Colman Domingo, Brian Ty...
In early 1970s Harlem, daughter and wife-to-be Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonz... Read more
Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)
7.2/10
Director: Marielle Heller
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Richard E Grant, Dolly Wells, Jane Curtin, Ben Falcone
Celebrity biographer Lee Israel makes her living profiling the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Estee Lauder and journalist Dorothy Kilg... Read more
A Very English Scandal (2018)
7.9/10
Director: Stephen Frears
Starring: Hugh Grant, Ben Whishaw, Monica Dolan, Alice Orr-Ewing, Alex Jennings, Jonathan...
British Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe is accused of conspiracy to murder his gay ex-lover and forced to stand trial in 1979. Read more
The Seagull (2018)
5.9/10
Director: Michael Mayer
Starring: Annette Bening, Saoirse Ronan, Corey Stoll, Elisabeth Moss, Mare Winningham, Jon...
An ageing actress named Irina Arkadina pays summer visits to her brother Pjotr Nikolayevich Sorin and her son Konstantin on a country estate. On one o... Read more