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 Minus Man (1999)
6.2/10
Director: Hampton Fancher
Starring: Owen Wilson, Janeane Garofalo, Brian Cox, Mercedes Ruehl, Dwight Yoakam, Dennis...
An odd and eerie suspenser directed by 'Blade Runner' scripter Hampton Fancher, with Owen Wilson playing against type as Vann Siegert, a cold-blooded... Read more
The Mistress of Spices (2005)
5.5/10
Director: Paul Mayeda Berges
Starring: Aishwarya Rai, Dylan McDermott, Nitin Ganatra, Ayesha Dharker
Aishwarya Rai, reputedly the 'most beautiful woman in the world', plays Tilo, a woman trained in the magical arts of spice and dedicated to helping ot... Read more
The Moonstone (1972)
7.5/10
Director: Paddy Russell
Starring: Kathleen Byron, Robin Ellis, Vivien Heilbron, Martin Jarvis, John Welsh, Basil D...
Young and beautiful Rachel Verinder (Vivien Heilbron) inherits one of the greatest jewels on earth, The Moonstone, a yellow diamond from India. When i... Read more
The Mrs Bradley Mysteries (2000)
7.8/10
Director: James Hawes, Martin Hutchings, Audrey Cooke
Starring: Diana Rigg, Neil Dudgeon, Peter Davison
Set in the 1920s, Diana Rigg stars as glamourous crime-solver Mrs Bradley who, along with her trusty chauffeur, George (Neil Dudgeon) tackles the toug... Read more
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005)
5.3/10
Director: Kirk R Thatcher
Starring: Ashanti , Jeffrey Tambor, Queen Latifah, David Alan Grier, Quentin Tarantino, M...
The muppets take on the Yellow Brick Road with Ashanti as Dorothy, Queen Latifah as Aunt Em and David Alan Grier as Uncle Henry. When Dorothy lands i... Read more
The Name Of The Rose (1986)
7.8/10
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Starring: Sean Connery, F Murray Abraham, Christian Slater
Sean Connery and F. Murray Abraham star in this intriguing tale set in a 14th century monastery where a spate of bizarre deaths fills the monks with s... Read more
The Nameless (1999)
5.9/10
Director: Jaume Balaguero
Starring: Emma Vilarasau, Karra Elejalde, Tristan Ulloa
Aka "Los Sin Nombre". A young girl is brutally murdered. Five years later, just when her mother is coming to terms with the tragedy, a telephone call... Read more
The Namesake (2006)
7.6/10
Director: Mira Nair
Starring: Irfan Khan, Kal Penn, Tabu , Jacinda Barrett, Zuleikha Robinson
Spanning two generations of an Indian immigrant family in New York, Mira Nair's culture clash drama begins as Ashoke (Irfan Khan) and his arranged bri... Read more
The Nanny Diaries (2007)
6.2/10
Director: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney, Paul Giamatti, Nicholas Reese Art, Alicia Keys...
A whimsical heartwarmer with college graduate Annie (Scarlett Johansson) deciding to buck her mother's career wishes and take on a nanny job with weal... Read more
The Night Listener (2006)
5.9/10
Director: Patrick Stettner
Starring: Robin Williams, Toni Collette, Joe Morton, Bobby Cannavale, Rory Culkin, Sandra...
Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) is a radio host and writer, suffering writer's block as his relationship with a younger man is crumbling. When he rece... Read more