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'.
King Solomon's Mines (1950)
6.9/10
Director: Andrew Marton, Compton Bennett
Starring: Richard Carlson, Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, Roy Marsden
One of the greatest jungle adventure films ever made, this grand adaptation of the H Rider Haggard novel stars Stewart Granger as fearless adventurer... Read more
King Solomon's Mines (1937)
6.4/10
Director: Robert Stevenson
Starring: Cedric Hardwicke, Anna Lee, John Loder, Paul Robeson, Roland Young, Arthur Sincl...
A ripping adventure with singing sensation Paul Robeson as the imperturbable African guide, Umbopa and Cedric Hardwicke as explorer Alan Quartermain.... Read more
Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)
7.4/10
Director: Hector Babenco
Starring: William Hurt, Raul Julia, Sonia Braga
Two prisoners in a Latin American jail, one a Spartan revolutionary leader (Raul Julia), the other a movie-obsessed homosexual (Best Actor Academy Awa... Read more
Kwaidan (1964)
8/10
Director: Masaki Kobayashi
Starring: Keiko Kishi, Tatsuya Nakadai, Kazuo Nakamura
Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Cannes, Masaki Kobayashi's 'Kwaidan' features four nightmarish tales adapted from Lafcadio Hearn's classic Japanes... Read more
L'Innocente ( The Innocent ) (1976)
7.5/10
Director: Luchino Visconti
Starring: Giancarlo Giannini, Laura Antonelli
Aka 'The Innocent'. An elegant, visually beautiful exploration of the constraints of marriage and its disintegration. Featuring a remarkable, sensuous... Read more
L.A. Confidential ( Blu-ray ) (1997)
8.3/10
Director: Curtis Hanson
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, James Cromw...
Smashing translation of James Ellroy's celebrated pulp novel of life in the L.A. police department in the 1950s. Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Kevin S... Read more
La Bete Humaine (1938)
Director: Jean Renoir
Starring: Jean Gabin, Simone Simon, Julien Carette
Based on the classic Emile Zola novel, Jean Renoir's "La Bete Humaine" was one of the legendary director's greatest popular successes - and earned sta... Read more
Ladies in Lavender (2004)
7/10
Director: Charles Dance
Starring: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Daniel Bruhl, Miriam Margolyes, Natascha McElhone, Dav...
Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are elderly spinsters living on the Cornwall coast in 1936 when they find a handsome young Polish man washed up injured on... Read more
Lassie (2005)
6.7/10
Director: Charles Sturridge
Starring: Peter O'Toole, John Lynch, Samantha Morton, Steve Pemberton, Jonathan Mason, Hes...
A faithful re-telling of Eric Knight's classic novel 'Lassie Come Home', back in its original Yorkshire setting on the eve of World War II. Lassie be... Read more
Last Exit To Brooklyn (1989)
6.8/10
Director: Uli Edel
Starring: Stephen Lang, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Burt Young
A powerful and disturbing adaptation of Hubert Selby's controversial novel. Set in Brooklyn in 1952, the story centres around a massive strike by fact... Read more