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'.
Elite Squad (2007)
8.1/10
Director: Jose Padilha
Starring: Wagner Moura, Caio Junqueira, Andre Ramiro, Maria Ribeiro, Fernanda Machado, Fer...
For decades Rio de Janeiro has ranked as one of the most violent cities in the world. Brutal drug lords patrol the favelas, and gun battles with polic... Read more
Empire Falls (2005)
7.4/10
Director: Fred Schepisi
Starring: Ed Harris, Paul Newman, Helen Hunt, Aidan Quinn, Joanne Woodward, Robin Wright,...
Based on Richard Russo's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, this gripping HBO miniseries stars Ed Harris as the hard-working manager of a struggling diner... Read more
Endless Love (1981)
4.8/10
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Starring: Brooke Shields, Martin Hewitt, Shirley Knight, Don Murray, Richard Kiley
Zeferelli's contemporary take on Romeo and Juliet is adapted from the novel by Scott Spencer. A powerul story about the doomed love between 17-year-o... Read more
Enduring Love (2004)
6.4/10
Director: Roger Michell
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rhys Ifans, Samantha Morton
Joe (Daniel Craig), and his girlfriend, Claire (Samantha Morton) witness a freak hot-air balloon accident, (Empire's 'Scene of the Year' 2005) along w... Read more
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2004)
7.7/10
Director: Alex Gibney
Starring: Narrated by, Peter Coyote
Alex Gibney's Oscar-nominated documentary is a searing indictment of the corporate mentality. Based on the best-seller by 'Fortune' magazine writers... Read more
Eragon (2006)
5.1/10
Director: Stefen Fangmeier
Starring: Ed Speleers, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Guillory, Robert Carlyle, John Malkovich, Garr...
Based on the best-seller by Christopher Paolini (he was just 17 when his family published it) in which a young orphaned farmboy finds a mystical stone... Read more
Eragon ( Blu-ray ) (2006)
5.1/10
Director: Stefen Fangmeier
Starring: Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Robert Carlyle, Alun Armstrong, Christopher Egan,...
Based on the best-seller by Christopher Paolini (he was just 17 when his family published it) in which a young orphaned farmboy finds a mystical stone... Read more
Evening (2007)
6.5/10
Director: Lajos Koltai
Starring: Claire Danes, Meryl Streep, Natasha Richardson, Toni Collette, Vanessa Redgrave,...
Hollywood's finest female stars feature in this poignant film about family and once-in-a-lifetime love. Toni Collette and Natasha Richardson visit at... Read more
Everything Is Illuminated (2005)
7.5/10
Director: Liev Schreiber
Starring: Elijah Wood, Eugene Hutz, Boris Leskin
Actor Liev Schreiber makes his directing debut with this quirky comedy/drama based on Jonathan Safran Foer's novel. Elijah Wood plays Jonathan, a sel... Read more
Evil ( aka Ondskan ) (2003)
7.8/10
Director: Mikael Hafstrom
Starring: Andreas Wilson, Henrik Lundstrom, Gustaf Skarsgard, Linda Zilliacus
In the mid-'50s, teenager Erik Ponti (Andreas Wilson) suffers serious abuse at the hands of his father. When he carries this violence into his school... Read more