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'.
Hard to Be a God (2013)
6.7/10
Director: Aleksei German
Starring: Leonid Yarmolnik, Yuriy Tsurilo, Natalia Moteva, Aleksandr Chutko
Aleksey German directs this Russian-language sci-fi drama following the journey of a group of scientists who have been selected to travel to another p... Read more
Hard to Be a God (Blu-ray) (2013)
6.6/10
Director: Aleksei German
Starring: Leonid Yarmolnik, Yuriy Tsurilo, Natalia Moteva, Aleksandr Chutko
Aleksey German directs this Russian-language sci-fi drama following the journey of a group of scientists who have been selected to travel to another p... Read more
Mood Indigo (2013)
6.5/10
Director: Michel Gondry
Starring: Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh, Aissa Maiga, Omar Sy, Charlotte Le Bon
Based on the 1947 novel 'Froth on the Daydream' by Boris Vian and directed by Michel Gondry this French fantasy drama is the story of handsome, wealth... Read more
The Scapegoat (2012)
7.2/10
Director: Charles Sturridge
Starring: Eileen Atkins, Jodhi May, Matthew Rhys, Anton Lesser, Sheridan Smith, Sylvie Tes...
Set in 1952, as Britain prepares for the coronation, 'The Scapegoat' tells the provocative story of two very different men who have one thing in commo... Read more
Hamilton: In the Interest of the Nation (2012)
6.4/10
Director: Kathrine Windfeld
Starring: Jason Flemyng, Pernilla August, Mikael Persbrandt, Lennart Hjulstrom
Masked soldiers attack a vehicle loaded with hightech missiles in an attempted smuggling operation in Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, a Swedish engineer is kid... Read more
Les Miserables (Jackman) (2012)
7.4/10
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Helena Bonham Carter, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Sacha Baron Cohen, Anne Hatha...
A musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel about a recently-released prisoner named Jean Valjean struggling to survive during the French revo... Read more
I, Anna (2012)
6.1/10
Director: Barnaby Southcombe
Starring: Charlotte Rampling, Gabriel Byrne, Eddie Marsan, Hayley Atwell
London-set noir thriller about the relationship between femme fatale Anna (Charlotte Rampling) and the detective investigating a brutal murder (Gabrie... Read more
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ( Blu-ray ) (2012)
7.9/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Elijah Wood, Hugo Weaving, Ian Holm, Ian McKell...
The first in a trilogy of films based on the enduring masterpiece The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows title charac... Read more
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
7.9/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Elijah Wood, Hugo Weaving, Ian Holm, Ian McKell...
The first in a trilogy of films based on the enduring masterpiece The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows title charac... Read more
Life of Pi ( Blu-ray ) (2012)
7.9/10
Director: Ang Lee
Starring: Gerard Depardieu, Rafe Spall, Tabu , Irrfan Khan, Suraj Sharma, Adil Hussain
Based on the best-selling novel by Yann Martel, director Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' is a visually stunning adventure story centering on Pi Patel, the prec... Read more