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'.
Factotum (2005)
6.6/10
Director: Bent Hamer
Starring: Matt Dillon, Lili Taylor, Marisa Tomei, Fisher Stevens, Adrienne Shelly, Didier...
The life of celebrated poet, novelist and wild man Charles Bukowski is examined in this darkly humourous, booze-drenched adaptation of his novel. Mat... Read more
Fahrenheit 451 (1966)
7.3/10
Director: Francois Truffaut
Starring: Oskar Werner, Julie Christie, Cyril Cusack
In a future society all books are destroyed, so that hope for humanity resides in those few outcasts who have committed them to memory. Based on Ray B... Read more
Fallen Angel (1945)
7.2/10
Director: Otto Preminger
Starring: Alice Faye, Dana Andrews, Linda Darnell, Charles Bickford, Bruce Cabot, John Car...
Otto Preminger and Dana Andrews followed their successful partnership in the making of 'Laura' with this lesser-known noir. Andrews plays a down-on-hi... Read more
Fallen Angel (2006)
8.1/10
Director: David Drury
Starring: Charles Dance, Emilia Fox
Emilia Fox stars as Rosemary, the beautiful but disturbed daughter of an English vicar (Charles Dance). Part family saga, part crime drama, 'Fallen An... Read more
Far From the Madding Crowd (1967)
7.2/10
Director: John Schlesinger
Starring: Julie Christie, Peter Finch, Terence Stamp, Alan Bates, Fiona Walker
Based upon the classic novel by Thomas Hardy and set against the harsh, foreboding landscape of rural Victorian England, "Far From the Madding Crowd"... Read more
Far From the Madding Crowd (Blu-ray) (1967)
7.1/10
Director: John Schlesinger
Starring: Julie Christie, Peter Finch, Terence Stamp, Alan Bates, Fiona Walker
Based upon the classic novel by Thomas Hardy and set against the harsh, foreboding landscape of rural Victorian England, "Far From the Madding Crowd"... Read more
Far North (2007)
6.2/10
Director: Asif Kapadia
Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Michelle Krusiec, Sean Bean
An eerie and disturbing thriller set in the majestic frozen wastes of the Arctic Circle. Michelle Yeoh stars as Saiva, a determined survivor who has b... Read more
Farewell to the King (1989)
6.3/10
Director: John Milius
Starring: Nick Nolte, Nigel Havers, Marius Weyers, Frank McRae
A visually stunning adventure epic of a WWII army deserter (Nick Nolte) who faces a crisis of conscience when the island paradise he has ruled in peac... Read more
Fast Food Nation (2006)
6.3/10
Director: Richard Linklater
Starring: Patricia Arquette, Bobby Cannavale, Paul Dano, Luis Guzman, Ethan Hawke, Ashley...
Based on Eric Schlosser's best-selling, and comical, expose of America's fast food industry, this film revolves around a small meat-processing town an... Read more
Father Of The Bride (1950)
7.2/10
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Starring: Joan Bennett, Elizabeth Taylor, Spencer Tracy, Don Taylor, Billie Burke, Leo G C...
This comic, sentimental gem stars Spencer Tracy as a dad, coping with one emergency after another, as daughter Elizabeth Taylor prepares to walk down... Read more