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'.
Middlemarch (1994)
7.7/10
Director: Anthony Page
Starring: Juliet Aubrey, Michael Hordern, Patrick Malahide, Peter Jeffrey, Robert Hardy, R...
"To do good small work for Middlemarch and great work for the world." This is the intention of the ambitious young Doctor Lydgate as he takes up his p... Read more
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)
6.6/10
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Kevin Spacey, John Cusack, Jack Thompson
A New York magazine writer (John Cusack) is sent to picturesque Savannah, Georgia, to cover a lavish party hosted by local antiques merchant Jim Willi... Read more
Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream (2005)
7.4/10
Director: Stuart Samuels
Starring: David Lynch, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Richard O'Brien, John Waters, Roger Ebert, Ti...
Based on the best selling book by director Stuart Samuels, this intriguing documentary offers a rare insight into the explosion of cult cinema and the... Read more
Midsomer Murders: DCI Barnaby and Me - Collection 1 (2008)
7.8/10
Starring: John Nettles, Daniel Casey, Jane Wymark, Barry Jackson, Jonathan Firth, Emily Mo...
John Nettles, who plays Inspector Barnaby in this long-running and much-loved murder mystery series, picks five of his favourite episodes for this col... Read more
Midsomer Murders: Series 1 (1997)
7.8/10
Starring: John Nettles, Daniel Casey
Nothing is quite as it seems in the quiet, chocolate box countryside of Midsomer, as Inspector Barnaby (John Nettles) soon discovers. The longest-run... Read more
Midsomer Murders: Series 11 (Part 1) (2008)
7.7/10
Director: Sarah Hellings, Peter Smith, Jeremy Silberston
Starring: John Nettles, Peter Smith
The English village mystery gets a contemporary spin in this hit British television series that has earned a worldwide following. Bucolic settings har... Read more
Midsomer Murders: Series 11 (Part 2) (2008)
7.7/10
Director: Sarah Hellings, Peter Smith, Jeremy Silberston
Starring: John Nettles, Peter Smith
The English village mystery gets a contemporary spin in this hit British television series that has earned a worldwide following. Bucolic settings har... Read more
Midsomer Murders: Series 11 (Part 3) (2008)
7.7/10
Director: Sarah Hellings, Peter Smith, Jeremy Silberston
Starring: John Nettles, Peter Smith
The English village mystery gets a contemporary spin in this hit British television series that has earned a worldwide following. Bucolic settings har... Read more
Midsomer Murders: Series 11 (Part 4) (2008)
7.1/10
Director: Sarah Hellings
Starring: John Nettles, Peter Smith
The English village mystery gets a contemporary spin in this hit British television series that has earned a worldwide following. Bucolic settings har... Read more
Midsomer Murders: Series 12 (2014)
7.7/10
Director: Sarah Hellings, Peter Smith, Jeremy Silberston
Starring: John Nettles, Peter Smith
Welcome to England's most murderous county... The English village mystery gets a contemporary spin in this hit British television series that has e... Read more