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 Wilby Conspiracy (1975)
6.5/10
Director: Ralph Nelson
Starring: Michael Caine, Nicol Williamson, Rutger Hauer, Saeed Jaffrey, Sidney Poitier, Pr...
Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine deliver powerhouse performances in this provocative thriller set in Apartheid South Africa, where racial tension is a... Read more
The Wind in the Willows (2006)
6.5/10
Director: Rachel Talalay
Starring: Matt Lucas, Mark Gatiss, Bob Hoskins, Imelda Staunton, Lee Ingleby, Jim Carter,...
A new live adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's perennially popular children's books. Matt Lucas stars as the technology-craving Mr Toad who, after being... Read more
The Wind In The Willows (1983)
7.8/10
Director: Mark Hall
Starring: Ian Carmichael, Michael Hordern, David Jason, Una Stubbs
A beautiful, full-length, animated version of the classic children's book with extraordinary animation and voices supplied by some of England's leadin... Read more
The Wind in the Willows (1996)
7.8/10
Director: Terry Jones
Starring: Steve Coogan, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Antony Sher, Nicol Williamson, John Cleese...
Terry Jones, Steve Coogan and Eric Idle star in this live action retelling of Kenneth Grahame's classic childrens' novel. While Mr Toad is out enjoyin... Read more
The Winds of War (1983)
8.2/10
Director: Dan Curtis
Starring: Robert Mitchum, Ali MacGraw, Jan-Michael Vincent, Victoria Tennant, John Housema...
The Emmy-winning TV mini-series, bringing to life Herman Wouk's tale of a Navy family's devotion to duty and to each other in the days shortly before... Read more
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
8/10
Director: Victor Fleming
Starring: Ray Bolger, Judy Garland, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Billie Burke, Frank Morgan, Mar...
Follow Dorothy over the rainbow and down the Yellow Brick Road, along with the Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman, Cowardly Lion and Toto, too, for fun and adven... Read more
The Wizard of Oz Collection (1914)
Starring: Oliver Hardy, Larry Semon, Violet Macmillan
Not the famous 1939 film with Judy Garland, instead, these are earlier films, all silent, based on the Oz books by L Frank Baum. The author himself st... Read more
The Woodlanders (1997)
6.4/10
Director: Phil Agland
Starring: Rufus Sewell, Polly Walker, Emily Woof, Jodhi May
This cinematic dip into the works of Thomas Hardy deals with the aspirations of a woodsman (Rufus Sewell) in landing his boss' daughter (Emily Woof) f... Read more
The Wrong Man (1956)
7.5/10
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Henry Fonda, Vera Miles, Anthony Quayle
Unlike any other Alfred Hitchcock movie. The story packs tension, the images are spellbinding and the dilemma genuinely frightening. But this time the... Read more
Their Eyes Were Watching God (2005)
6.6/10
Director: Darnell Martin
Starring: Halle Berry, Michael Ealy, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Nicki Micheaux, Lorraine Touss...
Based on Zora Neale Hurston's classic novel and executive produced by Oprah Winfrey, this Emmy-nominated TV drama stars Halle Berry as the free-spirit... Read more