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'.
Commanding Heights Vol. 1: The Battle of Ideas (2002)
Based on Daniel Yergin's bestseller, this informative PBS series presents an in-depth analysis of America's role in the new worldwide economy. Volume... Read more
Commanding Heights Vol. 2: The Agony of Reform (2002)
Based on the bestseller by Daniel Yergin, this informative PBS series presents an in-depth analysis of America's role in the new worldwide economy. Vo... Read more
Commanding Heights Vol. 3: The New Rules of the Game (2002)
Volume 3 tracks the explosive growth of the new world economy from the 1922 US presidential campaign to the present. Examining the promise and perils... Read more
Communion (1989)
5.7/10
Director: Philippe Mora
Starring: Christopher Walken, Lindsay Crouse, Joel Carlson
Based on the best-selling autobiographical account by Whitley Strieber, this drama of extraterrestrial encounters stars Christopher Walken as the writ... Read more
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)
5.9/10
Director: P J Hogan
Starring: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Joan Cusack, John Goodman, John Lithgow, Kristin Scott...
Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) has a label-filled wardrobe that any fashionista would covet, but she also has the credit card debt to match. Desperat... Read more
Congo (1995)
5.1/10
Director: Frank Marshall
Starring: Dylan Walsh, Laura Linney, Ernie Hudson, Grant Heslov, Joe Don Baker, Tim Curry
Saturday-matinee type tale about a gorilla expert who goes on a trouble laden expedition to Africa. Adapted from a Michael Crichton ('Jurassic Park')... Read more
Contact (1997)
7.4/10
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Angela Bassett, James Woods, Jodie Foster, John Hurt, Matthew McConaughey, Tom S...
Radio astronomer Jodie Foster receives signals from outer space which, when decoded, offer plans for building a ship that could help her reach the sta... Read more
Control (2007)
7.7/10
Director: Anton Corbijn
Starring: Sam Riley, Samantha Morton, Alexandra Maria Lara, Joe Anderson, Toby Kebbell
Globally renowned photographer and image-maker to superstar bands like Depeche Mode and U2, Anton Corbijn brings us his first feature film. It tells t... Read more
Conversations With God (2006)
6.6/10
Director: Stephen Simon
Starring: Henry Czerny, Vilma Silva, Bruce Page, Abdul Salaam El-Razzac
Based on the extraordinarily popular books by Neale Donald Walsch, telling the true story of the unfortunate events in his life and the emotional jour... Read more
Conversations With My Gardener (2007)
7.1/10
Director: Jean Becker
Starring: Daniel Auteuil, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Fanny Cottencon, Hiam Abbass, Alexis Bar...
An artist moves to the country and strikes up an unlikely friendship with the gardener - a man he knew as a child many years before. As the men talk t... Read more