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 Unit: Season 1 (2006)
8.1/10
Director: Bill L Norton, David Mamet, Steve Gomer, etc
Starring: Dennis Haysbert, Regina Taylor, Robert Patrick, Audrey Marie Anderson, Max Marti...
A fictionalized and dramatic look inside a covert Special Forces team that operates outside the military chain of command. Conceived by David Mamet, a... Read more
The Verdict (1982)
7.8/10
Director: Sidney Lumet
Starring: Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, Jack Warden, James Mason, Milo O'Shea
Paul Newman gives one of his finest peformances as a Boston Lawyer who's hit bottom, until a medical negligence case gives him a chance to restore his... Read more
The Waimate Conspiracy (2006)
2.7/10
Director: Stefen Lewis
Starring: David McPhail, Mark Hadlow, Jim Moriarty, Helen Pearse-Otene, Janice Gray
Based on the director's comedic 1999 novel, 'The Waikikimukau Conspiracy', this grass-roots mockumentary focuses on a group of South Island Maori who... Read more
The War Of The Roses (1989)
6.8/10
Director: Danny Devito
Starring: Danny DeVito, Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Marianne Sagebrecht, Sean Astin
A wickedly delightful screwball comedy about how Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner take their divorce to the battlefield and the house comes off the... Read more
The War of the Worlds (1953)
7.1/10
Director: Byron Haskin
Starring: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne
Based on the HG Wells novel, this film about a Martian invasion of the Earth is a superior sci-fi and won an Oscar for its special effects. It was or... Read more
The War of the Worlds (Blu-ray) (1953)
7.1/10
Director: Byron Haskin
Starring: Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, Les Tremayne
Based on the HG Wells novel, this film about a Martian invasion of the Earth is a superior sci-fi and won an Oscar for its special effects. It was or... Read more
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007)
6.2/10
Director: Jay Russell
Starring: Ben Chaplin, Brian Cox, Alex Etel, Emily Watson, Bruce Allpress, Geraldine Broph...
In this delightful family fantasy set in Scotland during World War II, 12-year-old Angus (Alex Etel) brings home an egg he finds on the beach and deci... Read more
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep ( Blu-ray ) (2007)
6.2/10
Director: Jay Russell
Starring: Emily Watson, Alex Etel, Ben Chaplin, David Morrissey, Brian Cox
In this delightful family fantasy set in Scotland during World War II, 12-year-old Angus (Alex Etel) brings home an egg he finds on the beach and deci... Read more
The Wave (2008)
7.6/10
Director: Dennis Gansel
Starring: Jurgen Vogel, Frederick Lau, Max Riemelt, Jennifer Ulrich, Christiane Paul, Jaco...
As unenthused as his class at having to teach the evils of facism, popular teacher Rainer Wagner attempts to make things more interesting with a hasti... Read more
The White Masai (2005)
Director: Hermine Huntgeburth
Starring: Nina Hoss, Jacky Ido, Katja Flint, Antonio Prester
A truly incredible love story based on Corinne Hofmann's autobiography about her journey to Kenya and her culture-shock romance with a Masai warrior.... Read more