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'.
Jane Eyre (1995)
7.4/10
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Starring: William Hurt, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Anna Paquin
Franco Zeffirelli delivers with this adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's novel. Jane, tortured while at boarding school, finds happiness as a Governess -... Read more
Jane Eyre (2010)
7.4/10
Director: Cary Fukunaga
Starring: Judi Dench, Jamie Bell, Michael Fassbender, Sally Hawkins, Mia Wasikowska
Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender and Academy Award winner Judi Dench star in acclaimed director Cary Fukunaga's daring new adaptation of Charlotte B... Read more
Jane Eyre (BBC) (1983)
7.4/10
Director: Julian Amyes
Starring: Timothy Dalton, Zelah Clarke
Charlotte Bronte's famous novel in a remarkable adaptation featuring Timothy Dalton as the mysterious Mr Rochester, and London stage star Zelah Clarke... Read more
Jane Eyre (BBC) (2006)
7.4/10
Director: Susanna White
Starring: Ruth Wilson, Toby Stephens, Francesca Annis, Christina Cole, Pam Ferris, Tara Fi...
Newcomer Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens head up an all-star cast in this brand new adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's much-adored classic that mines the... Read more
Jane Eyre (Blu-ray) (2010)
7.3/10
Director: Cary Fukunaga
Starring: Judi Dench, Jamie Bell, Michael Fassbender, Sally Hawkins, Mia Wasikowska
Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender and Academy Award winner Judi Dench star in acclaimed director Cary Fukunaga's daring new adaptation of Charlotte B... Read more
Jar City (2006)
7/10
Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Starring: Atli Rafn Sigurdarson, Ingvar Eggert Sigurdsson, Thorsteinn Gunnarsson
Ancestral bloodlines have deadly significance in this pair of interconnected tales from director Baltasar Kormakur ('101 Reykjavik'). A desperate man... Read more
Jarhead (2005)
7/10
Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Lucas Black, Chris Cooper, Jamie Foxx, Jacob V...
When Anthony Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) followed family tradition into the Marines he wasn't counting on the 1991 Gulf War. Trained as a sniper with... Read more
Jasmine Women (2004)
Director: Yong Hou
Starring: Zhang Ziyi, Joan Chen, Wen Jiang, Liu Ye
Based on the well-regarded novel by Su Tong and starring Ziyi Zhang and Joan Chen, both in multiple roles, this is the story of three generations of C... Read more
Jaws (1975)
8/10
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider
A relentless, 25-foot-long "killing machine" is on the prowl off the coast of a New England resort town, and no one in the water is safe. Roy Scheider... Read more
Jean de Florette / Manon Des Sources (1986)
Director: Claude Berri
Starring: Yves Montand, Gerard Depardieu, Daniel Auteuil, Emmanuelle Beart
A double feature. 'Jean de Florette'. A marvelous tale of greed and intolerance from the novel by Marcel Pagnol about a city hunchback who inherits a... Read more