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'.
Cruising (1980)
6.4/10
Director: William Friedkin
Starring: Al Pacino, Paul Sorvino, Karen Allen, Richard Cox
New York City detective Steve Burns (Al Pacino) receives orders from Captain Edelson (Paul Sorvino) to solve a series of brutal murders in the gay com... Read more
Crusade: A March Through Time (2006)
6.7/10
Director: Ben Sombogaart
Starring: Joe Flynn, Stephanie Leonidas, Emily Watson, Michael Culkin, Benno Furmann
Having missed the crucial goal in a football match, Dolf decides to use his mother's experimental time machine to go back a couple of hours and correc... Read more
Curious George (2006)
6.5/10
Director: Matthew O'Callaghan
Starring: Voices Of, Will Ferrell, Dick Van Dyke, Drew Barrymore, David Cross, Frank Welke...
The beloved and naughty little monkey from the books of Maragret and HA Rey comes to life in this animated adventure with Will Ferrell voicing the Man... Read more
Dad and Dave - On Our Selection (1995)
6.5/10
Director: George Whaley
Starring: Leo McKern, Joan Sutherland, Geoffrey Rush, Ray Barrett, Barry Otto, Nicholas Ea...
Based on the comedic stories and plays of Steele Rudd (a pseudonym for writer Arthur Hoey) following the Rudd family as they leave behind their city l... Read more
Daffodils (2019)
7.5/10
Director: David Stubbs
Starring: Rose McIver, George Mason
A bittersweet love story told through enchanting re-imaginings of popular and iconic New Zealand songs. Read more
Dalziel and Pascoe: Series 1 (1996)
7.4/10
Starring: Warren Clarke, Colin Buchanan, David Royle, Susannah Corbett
Warren Clarke and Colin Buchanan are the eponymous mismatched detectives from this hugely popluar BBC series that began in 1996 and continued to run u... Read more
Daniel Deronda (2002)
7.3/10
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Romola Garai, Greta Scacchi, Hugh Dancy, Jodhi May, Edward Fox,...
George Eliot's last and most underrated novel has been wittily adapted to the small screen by the BBC. Daniel Deronda (Hugh Dancy), though intelligen... Read more
Danny, The Champion of the World (1989)
6.8/10
Director: Gavin Millar
Starring: Jeremy Irons, Robbie Coltrane, Samuel Irons, Cyril Cusack, Michael Hordern, Lion...
Nine year old Danny Smith lives an idyllic life in a gypsy caravan at the back of his Dad's garage but all this looks set to change when evil landowne... Read more
Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca (1997)
7.4/10
Director: Jim O'Brien
Starring: Charles Dance, Emilia Fox, Diana Rigg, Faye Dunaway, Geraldine James, Timothy We...
The suspenseful Gothic classic by Daphne du Maurier is given a lush and atmospheric treatment in this Masterpiece Theatre adaptation featuring Emilia... Read more
Dark Portals: The Chronicles of Vidocq (2001)
Director: Pitof
Starring: Gerard Depardieu, Guillaume Canet, Ines Sastre, Andre Dussollier, Edith Scob, Mo...
Based on the memoirs of famous 19th century French detective Francois-Eugene Vidocq, this fantasy mystery was the directorial debut of visual effects... Read more