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 Snow Queen (2005)
6.2/10
Director: Julian Gibbs
Starring: Pax Baldwin, Juliet Stevenson, Patrick Stewart, Kenneth Welsh, Sydney White, Tif...
Adapting Hans Christian Andersen's magical story, the BBC have mixed animation and live action to create an enthralling and entertaining version that... Read more
The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
6.6/10
Director: Mark Waters
Starring: Sarah Bolger, Freddie Highmore, Nick Nolte, Mary-Louise Parker, Joan Plowright,...
Moving with their mother (Mary-Louise Parker) from New York City to the rundown Spiderwick Estate, twins Jared and Simon (both Freddie Highmore) and t... Read more
The Spiderwick Chronicles ( Blu-ray ) (2008)
6.6/10
Director: Mark Waters
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Joan Plowright, David Strathai...
Moving with their mother (Mary-Louise Parker) from New York City to the rundown Spiderwick Estate, twins Jared and Simon (both Freddie Highmore) and t... Read more
The Spirit of St Louis (1957)
7.2/10
Director: Billy Wilder
Starring: James Stewart, Patricia Smith, Murray Hamilton
Jimmy Stewart plays America's greatest flying hero, Charles A. Lindbergh, in Billy Wilder's filming of the aviator's autobiography. Follow 'Lucky Lind... Read more
The Stepford Wives (1974)
5.3/10
Director: Bryan Forbes
Starring: Katharine Ross, Paula Prentiss, Peter Masterson, Nanette Newman, Tina Louise, Ca...
Two women who move with their families to the quiet Connecticut town of Stepford wonder why all the local wives are in a state of perpetual bliss, but... Read more
The Stone Angel (2007)
6.3/10
Director: Kari Skogland
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Christine Horne, Cole Hauser, Ellen Page, Sheila McCarthy, Kevin...
A sincere adaptation of Margaret Laurence's novel, spanning the life of Hagar (Ellen Burstyn), a feisty 90-year-old who, when taken to look at rest ho... Read more
The Stone Merchant (2006)
Director: Renzo Martinelli
Starring: Harvey Keitel, Jordi Molla, Jane March, F Murray Abraham
University professor, Alceo, teaches History of Terrorism, and draws from personal experience having lost both legs in the American Embassy bombing in... Read more
The Stranger Beside Me (2003)
6.3/10
Director: Paul Shapiro
Starring: Barbara Hershey, Billy Campbell, Kevin Dunn
In 1980 Ted Bundy was convicted on two counts of murder though he later confessed to 40 victims. 9 years earlier he befriended a woman, an ex-cop, wh... Read more
The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
7.6/10
Director: Atom Egoyan
Starring: Ian Holm, Sarah Polley, Bruce Greenwood, Alberta Watson
This controversial, spellbinding offering focuses on a school bus accident in the Canadian wilderness killing 14 children. A tormented attorney (Ian H... Read more
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)
Director: Tony Scott
Starring: Denzel Washington, John Travolta, Luis Guzman, John Turturro, Victor Gojcaj, Ram...
Tony Scott directs this remake of the 1974 thriller about a hijacking on the New York subway system. Denzel Washington is subway dispatcher Walter Gar... Read more