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'.
Chokher Bali (2003)
6.6/10
Director: Rituparno Ghosh
Starring: Aishwarya Rai, Lily Chakrabarti, Prasenjit Chatterjee
Bengali filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh adapted and directed this costume melodrama based on the classic 1902 novel by Rabindranath Tagore. Subtly using th... Read more
Christ Stopped at Eboli (1979)
7.8/10
Director: Francesco Rosi
Starring: Gian Maria Volonte, Paolo Bonacelli, Alain Cuny
Rosi's BAFTA-winning epic stars Gian Maria Volonte as Carlo Levi, an artist and political exile banished to a southern Italian village by Mussolini's... Read more
Christine (1958)
6.5/10
Director: Pierre Gaspard-Huit
Starring: Alain Delon, Romy Schneider, Jean-Claude Brialy
Based on the novel by Arthur Schnitzler and featuring Romy Schneider as Christine and newcomer Alain Delon in his first lead role. The setting is 19th... Read more
Circle of Friends (1995)
6.6/10
Director: Pat O'Connor
Starring: Chris O'Donnell, Minnie Driver, Alan Cumming
Minnie Driver gives an outstanding performance as a college-age Irish woman-circa 1957-coming to grips with earthly love and Catholic fidelity in this... Read more
Claire Darling (2018)
6.1/10
Director: Julie Bertuccelli
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Chiara Mastroianni, Alice Taglioni
In Verderonne, a small village in the Oise, it's the first day of summer and Claire Darling wakes up convinced to live her last day - She then decides... Read more
Clarissa (1991)
7.2/10
Director: Robert Bierman
Starring: Sean Bean, Saskia Wickham
Based on the 18th century novel by Samuel Richardson this classic BBC production stars Sean Bean as Lovelace, a handsome young rake with one ruthless... Read more
Classic Adventure Collection: North West Frontier (1959) / Ferry To Hong Kong (1959) / King Solomon's Mines (1937)
Director: J Lee Thompson, Lewis Gilbert, Robert Stevenson
Starring: Kenneth More, Lauren Bacall, Herbert Lom, Orson Welles, Curt Jurgens, Sylvia Sym...
'North West Frontier' - It's got good guys and bad guys, Indians and a wild frontier, but this is no cowboy flick. Moslems have attacked a British co... Read more
Cold Mountain (2003)
7.2/10
Director: Anthony Minghella
Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Donald Sutherland, Eileen Atkins, Giovanni Ribisi, Jude Law, Na...
In the fading days of the Civil War, a wounded Confederate soldier named Inman (Jude Law) struggles on a perilous journey to return to his home of Col... Read more
Come Dance With Me (1959)
6.3/10
Director: Michel Boisrond
Starring: Brigitte Bardot, Henri Vidal, Dawn Adams
This comedy-mystery was another vehicle for Brigitte Bardot who repeats her sex-kitten persona with ease. Temporarily separated from his new, delecta... Read more
Come In Spinner (1990)
8/10
Director: Robert Marchand
Starring: Kerry Armstrong, Justine Clarke, Rebecca Gibney, Lisa Harrow, Gary Sweet, Martin...
Adapted from the Australian war-time novel by Dymphna Cusack and Florence James, this acclaimed mini-series centres on the lives of three women runnin... Read more