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 Sheltering Sky (1990)
6.8/10
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Starring: Campbell Scott, Debra Winger, John Malkovich
The screen version of Paul Bowles' celebrated 1949 novel about a New York couple who embark on an unusual journey through post World War II North Afri... Read more
The Sicilian (1987)
5.4/10
Director: Michael Cimino
Starring: Christopher Lambert, Terence Stamp, Joss Ackland, John Turturro, Barbara Sukowa
This spin-off from 'The Godfather' series, based on Mario Puzo's novel, stars Christopher Lambert as Salvatore Giuliano, a true-life Sicilian Robin Ho... Read more
The Silence of the Lambs (1990)
8.6/10
Director: Jonathan Demme
Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine
Young FBI agent Clarice Starling is assigned to help find a missing woman to save her from a psychopathic serial killer who skins his victims. Clarice... Read more
The Silent One (1984)
7.1/10
Director: Yvonne Mackay
Starring: Pat Evison, Anzac Wallace, Rongo Tupatea Kahu, Telo Malese
Spectacular underwater photography highlights the story of Jonasi, 'the silent one', a uniquely gifted young man sent from the sea as a baby to grow u... Read more
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
6.5/10
Director: Ken Kwapis
Starring: Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Jenna Boyd
Based on Ann Brashares' best-selling novel in which four friends are spending their first summer apart. The eponymous travelling pants are a second-ha... Read more
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008)
6.2/10
Director: Sanaa Hamri
Starring: Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Rachel Nichols, Tom...
The original cast return for this sequel as the four friends once again spend a summer apart. Lena takes a painting course in Rhode Island; Bridget he... Read more
The Six Million Dollar Man: Season 1 (1974)
7.1/10
Starring: Richard Anderson, Lee Majors, Jennifer Darling, Martin E Brooks
When star astronaut Steve Austin (Lee Majors) crashes dramatically to earth in a fireball, government scientists are quick to rebuild him. Augmented... Read more
The Sky Crawlers (2008)
6.8/10
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Winner of the Best Animation Film at the Japanese Academy Awards, this futuristic sci-fi-tinged drama is based on a popular five-part novel by best-se... Read more
The Sky is Falling (2000)
6.6/10
Director: Andrea Frazzi, Antonio Frazzi
Starring: Isabella Rossellini, Jeroen Krabbe, Barbara Enrichi, Gianna Giachetti
Based on Lorenza Mazzetti's acclaimed novel inspired by her true life experiences in WWII Tuscany. Two recently orphaned girls come to live with thei... Read more
The Snapper (1993)
7.2/10
Director: Stephen Frears
Starring: Tina Kellegher, Ruth McCabe, Colm Meaney, Brendan Gleeson
A wonderful adaptation of Roddy Doyle's novel about a working-class Irish family and the teenage daughter who finds herself pregnant - a circumstance... Read more