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 P.D. James Collection: An Unsuitable Job for a Woman - Sacrifice / Living on Risk / A Last Embrace / Playing God (1997)
Director: Various
Starring: Annette Crosbie, Gemma Jones, Leigh Lawson, Phyllis Logan, Craig Fairbrass, Gera...
P.D. James created more characters than just Adam Dalgliesh: meet Cordelia Gray (Helen Baxendale), a young and feisty private detective who faces a se... Read more
The Paleface (1948)
7.6/10
Director: Norman Z McLeod
Starring: Bob Hope, Jane Russell
A Bob Hope comedy 'The Paleface' (1948) - Hope is a daffy dentist and a shaky gun; Jane Russell is the gorgeous gunslinger Calamity Jane, and together... Read more
The Pallisers: Volume 1, Episodes 1-7 (1974)
8.3/10
Director: Hugh David
Starring: Philip Latham, Susan Hampshire, Anna Massey, Barbara Murray, Roland Culver
Based on six political novels by Anthony Trollope and set in the palatial country houses and grand Mayfair salons of mid-Victorian England, this is a... Read more
The Pallisers: Volume 2, Episodes 8-13 (1974)
8.3/10
Director: Hugh David
Starring: Philip Latham, Susan Hampshire, Anna Massey, Barbara Murray, Roland Culver
Based on six political novels by Anthony Trollope and set in the palatial country houses and grand Mayfair salons of mid-Victorian England, this is a... Read more
The Pallisers: Volume 3, Episodes 14-20 (1974)
8.3/10
Director: Hugh David
Starring: Philip Latham, Susan Hampshire, Anna Massey, Barbara Murray, Roland Culver
Based on six political novels by Anthony Trollope and set in the palatial country houses and grand Mayfair salons of mid-Victorian England, this is a... Read more
The Pallisers: Volume 4, Episodes 21-26 (1974)
8.3/10
Director: Hugh David
Starring: Philip Latham, Susan Hampshire, Anna Massey, Barbara Murray, Roland Culver
Based on six political novels by Anthony Trollope and set in the palatial country houses and grand Mayfair salons of mid-Victorian England, 'The Palli... Read more
The Perfect Catch (2005)
6.7/10
Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Starring: Drew Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon, Jack Kehler, Scott H Severance, Ione Skye
The American version of Nick Hornby's acclaimed novel, Fever Pitch, stars Jimmy Fallon as Ben a man obsessed, not with soccer, but with baseball. Dre... Read more
The Perfect Storm (2000)
6.4/10
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Starring: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane, Karen Allen, William Fichtner, Mary E...
Based on a true story, director Wolfgang Petersen's harrowing nautical adventure stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly and William Ficht... Read more
The Perfect Storm ( Blu-ray ) (2000)
6.4/10
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Starring: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane, Karen Allen, William Fichtner, Mary E...
Based on a true story, director Wolfgang Petersen's harrowing nautical adventure stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly and William Ficht... Read more
The Phantom Of The Opera (Chaney) (1925)
7.3/10
Director: Rupert Julian
Starring: Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin, Norman Kerry
Rupert Julian's 1925 silent masterpiece has Lon Chaney in the great role of his career as Erik, the vengeful composer who lives in the catacombs under... Read more