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'.
Little Lord Fauntleroy (1980)
7.4/10
Director: Jack Gold
Starring: Rick Schroder, Alec Guinness, Eric Porter, Colin Blakely, Connie Booth, Rachel K...
Ricky Schroder plays Ceddie, a sweet-natured boy living in lower class Manhattan, when his mysterious English grandfather (Alec Guiness) sends for him... Read more
Little Men: Season 1 (1999)
6.8/10
Starring: Spencer Rochfort, Michelle Rene
As a young girl, Jo March was the feisty heroine of Louisa May Alcott's classic story, 'Little Women'. Now, as a grown woman, will Jo's irrepressible... Read more
Little Women (2017)
7.1/10
Starring: Angela Lansbury, Emily Watson, Michael Gambon, Dylan Baker, Julian Morris, Kathr...
A dramatisation of Louisa May Alcott's novel about the lives of the four March sisters during the American Civil War as they learn to navigate love, l... Read more
Little Women (2018)
7.9/10
Director: Clare Niederpruem
Starring: Lea Thompson
A modern retelling of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, we follow the lives of four sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March - detailing their passage... Read more
Little Women (1933)
7.4/10
Director: George Cukor
Starring: Katharine Hepburn, Joan Bennett, Paul Lucas
'Endless pleasure no matter how many times you've seen it' (Leonard Maltin). The Louisa M Alcott novel is portrayed on film featuring Katharine Hepbur... Read more
Little Women (1994)
7.3/10
Director: Gillian Armstrong
Starring: Gabriel Byrne, Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Trini Alvarado, Samantha Mathis, Ki...
An exquisite rendering of Louisa May Alcott's Civil War-era classic about four devoted sisters who eventually have to leave their New England nest. Fi... Read more
Little Women (Blu-ray) (2019)
7.3/10
Director: Greta Gerwig
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Laura Dern, Timothee Chalamet, Meryl...
Following the lives of four sisters, Amy, Jo, Beth and Meg, as they come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War. Though all very differen... Read more
Live Flesh (1997)
7.4/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Angela Molina, Francesca Neri, Javier Bardem, Liberto Rabal, Penelope Cruz
During a fight with his junkie girlfriend, police intervene and an officer is shot. Six years later the wrongly convicted Victor is shocked to learn h... Read more
Live From Baghdad (2002)
7.4/10
Director: Mick Jackson
Starring: Michael Keaton, Helena Bonham Carter, Lili Taylor, Bruce McGill, David Suchet
Adapted from the book by former CNN News executive producer Robert Wiener, this intense drama tells the story of how CNN became the only news network... Read more
Lola Montes (1955)
7.4/10
Director: Max Ophuls
Starring: Peter Ustinov, Martine Carol, Anton Walbrook, Oskar Werner
A lush romantic drama that was filmmaker Max Ophuls' last work and his only film in colour. Martine Carol is mesmerizing as the famous adventurer and... Read more