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'.
Cadfael: Series 3 (1996)
8.2/10
Director: Herbert Wise, Richard Stroud, Ken Grieve
Starring: Derek Jacobi, Julian Firth, Sean Pertwee, Michael Culver
Derek Jacobi's unique 12th century sleuth becomes involved with a murder and a grieving widow in 'The Rose Rent'. 'St Peter's Fair' turns nasty when... Read more
Cadfael: Series 4 (1998)
8.2/10
Director: Mary McMurray, Ken Grieve
Starring: Derek Jacobi, Michael Culver, Julian Firth, Terrence Hardiman, Anthony Green, Te...
Derek Jacobi reprises his role of 12th-century monk, Brother Cadfael in the compelling series of monastic mystery. In 'The Holy Thief' our hero must... Read more
Campion: Series 1 (1989)
7.7/10
Starring: Peter Davison, Brian Glover, Andrew Burt, Gordon Jackson, Timothy West, Michael...
Based on the mystery novels by Margery Allingham, and featuring the genteel 1930s sleuth, Albert Campion (Peter Davison), whose owlish good manners ma... Read more
Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)
7.2/10
Director: Marielle Heller
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Richard E Grant, Dolly Wells, Jane Curtin, Ben Falcone
Celebrity biographer Lee Israel makes her living profiling the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Estee Lauder and journalist Dorothy Kilg... Read more
Candy (2006)
7.3/10
Director: Neil Armford
Starring: Abbie Cornish, Noni Hazlehurst, Heath Ledger, Geoffrey Rush, Tony Martin
Wannabe poet and intravenous heroin user Dan (Heath Ledger) is freshly in love with Candy (Abbie Cornish), a blonde Botticelli angel with a yen for pa... Read more
Canterbury Tales (2004)
7.4/10
Starring: Julie Walters, James Nesbitt, Jonny Lee Miller
Written 600 years ago, Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' explored the depths of the human psyche, whether it be love, sex, greed, gluttony or God. In this... Read more
Capote (2005)
7.4/10
Director: Bennett Miller
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Clifton Collins Jr., Chris Cooper, Bru...
In 1959 author Truman Capote read an article about the home invasion and slaying of a Kansas family that led to his personal investigation and subsequ... Read more
Carlito's Way (1993)
7.9/10
Director: Brian De Palma
Starring: Penelope Ann Miller, Al Pacino, Sean Penn, John Leguizamo, Luis Guzman, Viggo Mo...
Al Pacino gives an electrifying performance as former drug kingpin Carlito Brigante, who is sprung from prison by his high-powered attorney (Sean Penn... Read more
Carmen (1983)
7.7/10
Director: Carlos Saura
Starring: Antonio Gades, Laura Del Sol, Paco De Lucia
This flamenco adaptation of Bizet's classic opera "Carmen", based on the novel by Merimee, mixes a dramatic story of jealousy and treachery with actua... Read more
Carve Her Name With Pride (1958)
7.3/10
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Starring: Virginia McKenna, Paul Scofield, Jack Warner
Based on R. J. Minney's book about real-life British war heroine Violet Szabo (Virginia McKenna) who parachuted into Nazi-occupied Europe as a secret... Read more