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'.
Jude the Obscure (1971)
7.6/10
Director: Hugh David
Starring: Robert Powell, Fiona Walker, John Franklyn-Robbins, Daphne Heard
Robert Powell stars as Jude Fawley in this faithful and uncompromising BBC adaptation of Thomas Hardy's bitter and controversial novel. Born into rura... Read more
Jumper (2008)
6.1/10
Director: Doug Liman
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell, Samuel L Jackson, Rachel Bilson, Michael Rooker,...
Thrilling sci-fi actioner about David, (Hayden Christensen) a young man with the ability to teleport himself anywhere in the world. Learning that his... Read more
Jumper ( Blu-ray ) (2008)
6.1/10
Director: Doug Liman
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell, Rachel Bilson, Michael Rooker, AnnaSophia Robb,...
Thrilling sci-fi actioner about David (Hayden Christensen), a young man with the ability to teleport himself anywhere in the world. Learning that his... Read more
Jurassic Park (1993)
8.1/10
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Bob Peck, Richard Attenborough
Steven Spielberg's brontosaurus-sized blockbuster, based on Michael Crichton's best-seller, follows scientists Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (... Read more
Just Ask For Diamond (1988)
Director: Stephen Bayly
Starring: Colin Dale, Saeed Jaffrey, Susannah York, Dursley McLinden, Patricia Hodge, Jimm...
Private Eye Tim Diamond (Dursley McLinden) and his way-too-smart kid brother, Nick team up with failing nightclub singer Susannah York for action, lau... Read more
Kes (1969)
7.9/10
Director: Ken Loach
Starring: David Bradley, Lynne Perrie, Freddie Fletcher
A charming, caring chronicle of the boyhood experiences of Billy, a Northern England miner's son who finds an injured Kestrel and nurses it back to he... Read more
Kill! (1968)
7.6/10
Director: Kihachi Okamoto
Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Etsushi Takahashi, Akira Kubo, Naoko Kubo
A samurai satire, equal parts sword-play and jet-black comedy this is full of Japanese cinema inside jokes, double crosses and fast-paced action. Tat... Read more
Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
8.1/10
Director: Robert Hamer
Starring: Alec Guinness, Dennis Price, Joan Greenwood, Valerie Hobson
A superb black comedy about a man who ruthlessly eliminates eight of his relatives (all played to perfection by Alec Guinness) in order to inherit a t... Read more
King Lear (Holm) (1997)
8.3/10
Director: Richard Eyre
Starring: Ian Holm, Barbara Flynn, Victoria Hamilton, Timothy West, Amanda Redman
Director Richard Eyre stages a bold, expressionistic interpretation of perhaps Shakespeare's most vivid and striking tragedy eliciting stunning perfor... Read more
King Solomon's Mines (2004)
6/10
Director: Steve Boyum
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Alison Doody
H. Rider Haggard's legendary adventurer, Allan Quatermain (Patrick Swayze), searches the jungles of 19th-century Africa for the missing father of the... Read more