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'.
Donkey Skin (1971)
7.1/10
Director: Jacques Demy
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Jean Marais, Delphine Seyrig, Jacques Perrin
At once charming, bizarre and eerie, director Jacques Demy's ('The Umbrellas of Cherbourg') colourful adaptation of the fairytale by Perrault (who als... Read more
Double Indemnity (1944)
8.3/10
Director: Billy Wilder
Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, Edward G Robinson
A masterpiece of film noir cinema from director Billy Wilder, who also co-scripted with Raymond Chandler. Barbara Stanwyck is the definitive femme fat... Read more
Dr Dog: Volume 1 (2006)
6.8/10
He's a dog, he's a doctor and he's on-call 24 hours a day. Includes 7 hilarious, tongue-in-jowl episodes, each 13 minutes long, based on Babette Cole... Read more
Dr Finlay: Series 2 (1994)
Starring: David Rintoul, Annette Crosbie, Jason Flemyng, Ian Bannen
In Series Two Dr Finlay is continuing to grapple with the everyday problems of being an over-worked GP, living in post-war rural Britain. Based on th... Read more
Dr Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! ( Blu-ray ) (2008)
Director: Jimmy Hayward, Steve Martino
Starring: Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Carol Burnett, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Dan Fogler, Is...
An imaginative elephant named Horton hears a faint cry for help coming from a tiny speck of dust floating through the air. Although Horton doesn't kno... Read more
Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1963)
8.4/10
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: George C Scott, James Earl Jones, Keenan Wynn, Peter Bull, Peter Sellers, Slim P...
A commie-hating, paranoid American general launches a flight of B-52 bombers at the Soviet Union with nuclear annihilation in mind. Since he is the on... Read more
Dracula (Blu-ray) (1958)
7.6/10
Director: Terence Fisher
Starring: Peter Cushing, Michael Gough, Christopher Lee
Aka 'Dracula'. Probably Hammer Films' best horror, a handsomely mounted retelling of the Stoker tale, with fantasy elements de-emphasized. Christopher... Read more
Dracula - Pages from a Virgin's Diary (2003)
7/10
Director: Guy Maddin
Starring: Zhang Wei-Qiang, Tara Birtwhistle, David Moroni, Cindymarie Small, Johnny Wright
Cult auteur Guy Maddin ('The Saddest Music in the World') has taken on the world's most adapted horror tale and concocted his most original and ravish... Read more
Dracula 2000 (2000)
4.9/10
Director: Patrick Lussier
Starring: Jonny Lee Miller, Justine Waddell, Jennifer Esposito, Omar Epps, Christopher Plu...
Bram Stoker's bloodsucker legend is updated to contemporary times, as Professor Van Helsing and his assistant try to track down the ages old Count, fr... Read more
Dracula: The Legacy Collection - Dracula / Dracula's Daughter / Son of Dracula / House of Dracula (1945)
7.6/10
Director: Earle C Kenton, Lambert Hillyer, Robert Siodmak, Tod Browning, George Melford
Starring: Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye, Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Edward Van Sloan, Carlo...
Bela Lugosi stars as the debonair Count in 'Dracula', the classic version of Bram Stoker's tale of the bloodsucking fiend. Also included is the Spanis... Read more