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'.
Total Recall (1990)
7.5/10
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Starring: Sharon Stone, Rachel Ticotin, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a bored construction worker in the year 2084 who dreams of visiting the colonized Mars. He visits "Rekall," a... Read more
Touch of Evil (1958)
8.1/10
Director: Orson Welles
Starring: Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Orson Welles, Akim Tamiroff, Joseph Calleia, Marle...
This twisting cinematic masterpiece of style and suspense, based on the Whit Masterson novel, features Orson Welles as a corrupt cane-wielding officia... Read more
Towelhead (2007)
7/10
Director: Alan Ball
Starring: Summer Bishil, Peter Macdissi, Maria Bello, Aaron Eckhart, Toni Collette, Eugene...
Aka 'Nothing Is Private'. Writer Alan Ball ('American Beauty', 'Six Feet Under') makes his directorial debut with this controversial adaptation of Ali... Read more
Trainspotting (1995)
8.2/10
Director: Danny Boyle
Starring: Ewen Bremner, Robert Carlyle, Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Kel...
A gritty, graphically painful and, at times, blackly funny look at a group of heroin addicts in Edinburgh, Scotland focusing on one young man as he re... Read more
Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story (2005)
6.8/10
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Starring: Gillian Anderson, Rob Brydon, Steve Coogan, James Fleet, Stephen Fry, Naomie Har...
As with their previous collaboration ('24 Hour Party People'), Michael Winterbottom and Steve Coogan subvert the medium; making a film about a 'docume... Read more
Troy: Director's Cut (2004)
7.2/10
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Starring: Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana, Peter O'Toole, Saffron Burrows, Rose Byrne,...
Director Wolfgang Petersen finally has the luxury of time and editing control to provide the film he intended - more studied portraits of the characte... Read more
Troy: Director's Cut ( Blu-ray ) (2004)
7.2/10
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Starring: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Diane Kruger, Brian Cox, Sean Bean, Brendan...
Director Wolfgang Petersen finally has the luxury of time and editing control to provide the film he intended - more studied portraits of the characte... Read more
True Blood: Season 1 (2008)
7.9/10
Director: Alan Ball, Michael Lehmann, John Dahl, Scott Winant, Daniel Minahan
Starring: Anna Paquin, Jim Parrack, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Stephen Moyer, Alexander...
Anna Paquin is a telepathic Louisiana barmaid in this gothically sexy and imaginatively peculiar show from Alan Ball ('Six Feet Under') and HBO. It is... Read more
True Confessions (1981)
6.4/10
Director: Ulu Grosbard
Starring: Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Burgess Meredith, Charles Durning, Ed Flanders, C...
In 1940's Los Angeles, Monsignor Desmond Spellacy (Robert De Niro), a rising star in the Catholic Church hierarchy, has a talent for fundraising that... Read more
Tsotsi (2005)
7.3/10
Director: Gavin Hood
Starring: Presley Chweneyagae, Terry Pheto, Kenneth Nkosi, Mothusi Magano, Zenzo Ngqobe, Z...
Tsotsi, (a slang word for 'thug'), is a Johannesberg delinquent whose life has been a series of abandonments and abuse, resulting in a young man alrea... Read more