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 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
The Scarlet Pimpernel (1999)
7.5/10
Director: Graham Theakston, Simon Langton, Patrick Lau
Starring: Richard E Grant, Elizabeth McGovern, Martin Shaw, Anthony Green, Ronan Vibert, C...
Filmed in Prague for its similarity to 18th Century revolutionary Paris (and lack of satellite dishes), this BBC mini-series of Baroness Emmuska Orzcy... Read more
The Sea Wolf (2009)
7.5/10
Director: Mike Barker
Starring: Neve Campbell, Tim Roth, Stephen Campbell Moore, Sebastian Koch
This adventure on the high seas follows the exploits of the notorious Captain Wolf Larsen (Sebastian Koch) who engages young castaway Humphrey Van Wyd... 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
The Secret (2007)
6.4/10
Director: Vincent Perez
Starring: David Duchovny, Lili Taylor, Olivia Thirlby, Brendan Sexton III
Hannah (Lili Taylor) and Bill (David Duchovny) are married soul-mates with a teenage daughter, Sam (Olivia Thirlby); but when Hannah is killed in an a... Read more
The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
7.3/10
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, Pau...
Southern Carolina, 1964. 14-year-old Lily (Dakota Fanning), haunted by the death of her mother, and unable to bear living with her emotionally distant... Read more
The Secret of Moonacre (2008)
6.2/10
Director: Gabor Csupo
Starring: Dakota Blue Richards, Juliet Stevenson, Tim Curry, Natascha McElhone, Ioan Gruff...
Following the death of her father, 13-year-old Maria Merryweather (Dakota Blue Richards) is shipped off to the mysterious Moonacre estate, presided ov... Read more
The Seeker: The Dark is Rising (2007)
4.8/10
Director: David L Cunningham
Starring: Alexander Ludwig, Christopher Eccleston, Frances Conroy, Ian McShane
A loose adaptation of Susan Cooper's children's fantasy books follows the tale of young Will (Alexander Ludwig) who discovers that he is the latest in... Read more
The Sentinel (2006)
6.1/10
Director: Clark Johnson
Starring: Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Kim Basinger, Eva Longoria, Martin Donovan,...
Pete Garrison (Michael Douglas) is a veteran Secret Service agent who has had a long and distinguished career protecting the US president, but when in... Read more
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976)
6.8/10
Director: Herbert Ross
Starring: Alan Arkin, Laurence Olivier, Nicol Williamson, Robert Duvall, Vanessa Redgrave
Dr. Watson tricks Sherlock Holmes into travelling to Vienna in order to place him in the care of Sigmund Freud after his abuse of cocaine starts to sp... Read more