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'.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
7.7/10
Director: Terry Gilliam
Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Cameron Diaz, Christina Ricci, Ellen Barkin, Gary Busey, Johnn...
Helmsman Terry Gilliam, with a script co-written by Alex Cox, conjures up this adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's 1971 cult novel, which defined the c... Read more
Fear and Trembling (2003)
7.1/10
Director: Alain Corneau
Starring: Sylvie Testud, Kaori Tsuji, Taro Suwa, Bison Katayama, Yasunari Kondo, Sokyu Fuj...
This comedy of cultural errors sees Belgian Amelie (Sylvie Testud) returning to Japan after pleasant memories from her childhood there. However as a... Read more
Feast of Love (2007)
6.7/10
Director: Robert Benton
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Greg Kinnear, Radha Mitchell, Billy Burke, Selma Blair, Alexa Da...
As college professor and writer Harry Stevenson (Morgan Freeman) sits quietly in the coffee shop of his tight-knit Oregon community, the local residen... Read more
Felicia's Journey (1999)
7/10
Director: Atom Egoyan
Starring: Bob Hoskins, Elaine Cassidy, Peter McDonald, Arsinee Khanjian
Felicia (Elaine Cassidy), a young Irish woman in search of her soldier boyfriend in the British Midlands, is befriended by Joseph Hilditch (Bob Hoskin... Read more
Field of Dreams (1989)
7.5/10
Director: Phil Alden Robinson
Starring: Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Amy Madigan, Gaby Hoffmann, Ray Liotta, Burt La...
A magical fantasy about farmer Kevin Costner who hears messages from an invisible voice, leading him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield. 'If... Read more
Fight Club (1999)
8.8/10
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Meat Loaf, Tom Waits, Jared Leto, Helena Bonham Carter, Edward Norton, Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt and Edward Norton deliver grand performances in this stunningly original, darkly comic film from the director of 'Seven'. A chance encounter... Read more
Figures In A Landscape (1970)
6.7/10
Director: Joseph Losey
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Robert Shaw, Henry Woolf, Pamela Brown
In an unnamed totalitarian country, two escaped convicts (Robert Shaw and Malcolm McDowell) are on the run, hunted by a sinister black helicopter. Th... Read more
Fingersmith (2005)
8/10
Director: Aisling Walsh
Starring: Elaine Cassidy, Rupert Evans, Sally Hawkins, Imelda Staunton, Charles Dance
This stunning BBC adaptation of Sarah Waters' ('Tipping the Velvet') novel tells the dark tale of an orphaned streetkid (Sally Hawkins), who is taken... Read more
Fire Over England (1937)
6.7/10
Director: William Howard
Starring: Leslie Banks, Laurence Olivier, Fiora Robson, Vivien Leigh, Raymond Massey
Superb British historical drama as Elizabethan England is under attack by the Spanish Armada. Flora Robson is magnificent as Queen Elizabeth, who send... Read more
First Blood ( Rambo ) (1982)
7.7/10
Director: Ted Kotcheff
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Brian Dennehy
John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is an ex-Green Beret haunted by his memories of Vietnam. Harassed and jailed by the locals in a Northwest town, he mak... Read more