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'.
Last Ride (2009)
6.7/10
Director: Glendyn Ivin
Starring: Hugo Weaving, Tom Russell, Anita Hegh, John Brumpton, Sonya Suares, Kelton Pell
Australian director Glendyn Ivin's feature debut is a beautifully drawn, mood-filled drama describing the troubled relationship between a father and s... Read more
Last Year at Marienbad (1961)
7.9/10
Director: Alain Resnais
Starring: Delphine Seyrig, Giorgio Albertazzi, Sacha Pitoeff
Not just a defining work of the French New Wave but one of the great, lasting mysteries of modern art, Alain Resnais' epochal 'Last Year at Marienbad'... Read more
Le Notti Bianche ( White Nights ) (1957)
7.8/10
Director: Luchino Visconti
Starring: Marcello Mastroianni, Maria Schell, Jean Marais
Aka 'White Nights'. Marcello Mastroianni, as a lonely city transplant, and Maria Schell, as a sheltered girl haunted by a lover's promise, meet by cha... Read more
Les Diaboliques (1954)
Director: Henri-Georges Clouzot
Starring: Simone Signoret, Vera Clouzot, Paul Meurisse
An acknowledged influence on "Psycho", Henri-Georges Clouzot's horror classic is the story of a sadistic headmaster who brutalizes his fragile wife an... Read more
Les Miserables (1935/1952 Versions) (1935)
7.4/10
Director: Lewis Milestone, Richard Boleslawski
Starring: Fredric March, Charles Laughton, Cedric Hardwicke, Michael Rennie, Debra Paget,...
This collection includes two adaptations of Victor Hugo's acclaimed novel. First, Fredric March stars in director Richard Boleslawski's 1935 version a... Read more
Les Miserables (Jackman) (2012)
7.4/10
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Helena Bonham Carter, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Sacha Baron Cohen, Anne Hatha...
A musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel about a recently-released prisoner named Jean Valjean struggling to survive during the French revo... Read more
Les Miserables (Jordan) (1978)
7.4/10
Director: Glenn Jordan
Starring: Richard Jordan, Anthony Perkins, Cyril Cusack, Claude Dauphin, John Gielgud, Ian...
Victor Hugo's classic story of an escaped convict and the detective who trails him for a lifetime. A lavish remake of the perennial favourite, starrin... Read more
Les Miserables (Miniseries) (2018)
7.3/10
Director: Tom Shankland
Starring: Dominic West, David Oyelowo, Lily Collins, Adeel Akhtar, Johnny Flynn, Henry Llo...
Television adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel, which follows Jean Valjean as he evades capture by the unyielding Inspector Javert. Set against... Read more
Les Miserables (Neeson) (1998)
7.4/10
Director: Bille August
Starring: Liam Neeson, Geoffrey Rush, Uma Thurman
This lavish, superbly acted adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic stars Liam Neeson as Jean Valjean, the fugitive who has become a mayor in France durin... Read more
Let the Right One In (2008)
7.9/10
Director: Tomas Alfredson
Starring: Kare Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl, Karin Bergquist, Pete...
12-year-old Oskar is a bit of a social misfit and the target for all the local bullies when someone new moves in next door. He is soon besotted by the... Read more