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'.
Nights in the Gardens of Spain (2010)
6.2/10
Director: Katie Wolfe
Starring: Dean O'Gorman, Vicky Haughton, Nathalie Boltt, George Henare, Calvin Tuteao
"One's real life is often the life one does not lead". Adapted from Witi Ihimaera's novel of the same name and starring a bevy of great Kiwi talent (C... Read more
Tomorrow, When the War Began (2010)
6.2/10
Director: Stuart Beattie
Starring: Colin Friels, Andy Ryan, Chris Pang, Ashleigh Cummings, Phoebe Tonkin, Caitlin S...
Ellie (Caitlin Stasey) and her friends are in the last year of high school, living in a small, quiet town where it seems life will never change. They... Read more
Predicament (2010)
5.4/10
Director: Jason Stutter
Starring: Heath Franklin, Jemaine Clement, Hayden Frost, Tim Finn
Naive teenager Cedric Williamson, conspires with two misfits to photograph and blackmail adulterous couples. When the scam goes wrong they end up with... Read more
The Hedgehog (2010)
7.4/10
Director: Mona Achache
Starring: Anne Brochet, Josiane Balasko, Ariane Ascaride, Wladimir Yordanoff, Garance Le G...
Eleven-year-old Paloma Josse is bored beyond belief. Despite living in a gorgeous apartment in the legendary city of Paris, young Paloma feels no conn... Read more
Alice in Wonderland ( Blu-ray ) (2010)
6.5/10
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Alan Rickman, Crispin Glover, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, Stephen Fry, Ti...
Part live action, part computer animated, Tim Burton's take on Lewis Carroll's classic tale follows 19-year-old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) as she leaves h... Read more
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
6.5/10
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Crispin Glover, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, Matt Lucas, Mia Wasikowska, A...
Part live action, part computer animated, Tim Burton's take on Lewis Carroll's classic tale follows 19-year-old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) as she leaves h... Read more
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest: Extended Version (2009)
Director: Daniel Alfredson
Starring: Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, Noomi Rapace, Annika Hallin
With a seriously wounded Lisbeth (Noomi Rapace) hospitalized and facing murder charges following the events of "The Girl Who Played with Fire," journa... Read more
The Girl Who Played with Fire: Extended Version (2009)
7.2/10
Director: Daniel Alfredson
Starring: Per Oscarsson, Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, Annika Hallin, Peter Andersson, Noom...
A researcher and a Millennium journalist about to expose the truth about the sex trade in Sweden are brutally murdered, and computer hacker Lisbeth Sa... Read more
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Extended Version (2009)
7.8/10
Director: Niels Arden Oplev
Starring: Ewa Froling, Marika Lagercrantz, Michael Nyqvist, Ingvar Hirdwall, Noomi Rapace,...
Aka "Men Who Hate Women". Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger... Read more
Wallander 2 (2009)
Director: Hettie Macdonald, Andy Wilson, Aisling Walsh
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Sadie Shimmin
Kenneth Branagh plays Swedish detective Kurt Wallander in three new detective dramas based on the best-selling books by Henning Mankell - an internati... Read more