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'.
Garfield 2: A Tail of Two Kitties (2006)
5/10
Director: Tim Hill
Starring: (Voice of) , Billy Connolly, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Breckin Meyer, Bill Murray, V...
As with the original, this sequel features Bill Murray as the big, orange, CGI puss in a real-life world. In spite of the title, the story is swiped... Read more
Get Shorty (1995)
6.9/10
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Danny DeVito, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, John Travolta, Dennis Farina, Delroy Lin...
A clever black comedy about Chili Palmer (John Travolta), a collector for the mob who after being sent to LA on a mission, hooks up with a slick, grad... Read more
Giant (1956)
7.7/10
Director: George Stevens
Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean, Rock Hudson
A film of staggering scale and grandeur detailing the lives of cattleman Rock Hudson and his society wife Elizabeth Taylor and three generations of la... Read more
Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)
6.9/10
Director: Peter Webber
Starring: Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson, Judy Parfitt, Cillian Murphy
Set in 17th century Holland, this evocative drama of forbidden love and erotic tension stars Scarlett Johansson as Griet, an innocent young woman sent... Read more
Girl, Interrupted (1999)
7.4/10
Director: James Mangold
Starring: Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall, Brittany Murphy, Vanessa Redgrave, Wh...
Based on Susanna Kaysen's best selling memoir of her two-year stay in a New England psychiatric hospital in the late '60s, this acclaimed drama stars... Read more
Gone Baby Gone (2007)
7.7/10
Director: Ben Affleck
Starring: Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Amy Madigan
The kidnapping of a 4-year-old girl baffles Boston police desperate to crack the case, so the child's mother hires two street-smart private eyes (Case... Read more
Gone But Not Forgotten (2003)
5.4/10
Director: Armand Mastroianni
Starring: Brooke Shields, Lou Diamond Phillips, Joe Morton, Scott Glenn
When an Oregon woman vanishes, all that is left in her wake is a single black rose and a cryptic note reading 'gone but not forgotten'. Even more myst... Read more
Gone with the Wind (1939)
8.2/10
Director: Victor Fleming
Starring: Vivien Leigh, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard, Clark Gable
Based on one of the best-selling books of all time, "Gone with the Wind" stands among the greatest epic dramas ever filmed. Vivien Leigh is the strong... Read more
Gone with the Wind ( Blu-ray ) (1939)
8.2/10
Director: Victor Fleming
Starring: Clark Gable, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, Vivien Leigh
Based on one of the best-selling books of all time, "Gone with the Wind" stands among the greatest epic dramas ever filmed. Vivien Leigh is the strong... Read more
Gone with the Wind: Collector's Edition (1939)
8.2/10
Director: Victor Fleming
Starring: Vivien Leigh, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard, Clark Gable
Based on one of the best-selling books of all time, "Gone with the Wind" stands among the greatest epic dramas ever filmed. Vivien Leigh is the strong... Read more