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'.
Nocturne Indien (1989)
6.9/10
Director: Alain Corneau
Starring: Jean-Hugues Anglade, Clementine Celarie, Otto Tausig, TP Jain
A young Frenchman goes in search of his friend after he goes missing in India in this reflective and sensually photographed drama from French director... Read more
Nora (1999)
6.2/10
Director: Pat Murphy
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Susan Lynch, Vinnie McCabe, Kate O'Toole
Ewan McGregor and Susan Lynch star in this passionate and true story of James Joyce and his lifelong love, Nora Barnacle. Sensual, witty and unwilling... Read more
Nosferatu (1922)
8/10
Director: F W Murnau
Starring: Max Schreck, Alexander Granach, Greta Schroeder
Aka 'Nosferatu: A Symphony of Terror'. The first and the greatest (not to mention scariest) Dracula movie ever made starring Max Schreck as Nosferatu,... Read more
Notes on a Scandal (2006)
7.4/10
Director: Richard Eyre
Starring: Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, Tom Georgeson, Michael Maloney, Shaun Parkes, Joanna...
With an Oscar-nominated screenplay by Patrick Marber ('Closer'), adapted from the novel by Zoe Heller, this dark psychological drama stars a magnetic... Read more
Of Mice and Men (1939)
7.8/10
Director: Lewis Milestone
Starring: Burgess Meredith, Lon Chaney Jr, Betty Field
John Steinbeck's classic novel is brought to the silver screen for the very first time. Set in the bucolic Salinas Valley of California in the 1930's,... Read more
Omoo Omoo - The Shark God (1949)
3.2/10
Director: Leon Leonard
Starring: Ron Randell, Michael Whalen
A sea captain (Trevor Bardette) courts disaster when he removes a pair of black pearls from a native shrine. According to native legend, bad luck will... Read more
On Moonlight Bay (1951)
7.1/10
Director: Roy Del Ruth
Starring: Doris Day, Gordon McRae, Mary Wickes, Billy Gray
Booth Tarkington's Penrod stories make charming material for this Doris Day musical in which the bubbly blonde plays tomboy Marjie Wilson who moves to... Read more
On The Other Hand, Death (2008)
6.4/10
Director: Ron Oliver
Starring: Chad Allen, Sebastian Spence, Margot Kidder, Gabrielle Rose
Private Eye Donald Strachey is back on the job, investigating the origin of hate crimes perpetrated against an elderly lesbian couple after they refus... Read more
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
8.7/10
Director: Milos Forman
Starring: Brad Dourif, Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito, Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, W...
The first movie since Frank Capra's It Happened One Night to sweep the big five Oscars (director, screenplay, actor, actress, film), Cuckoo's Nest rem... Read more
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest ( Blu-ray ) (1975)
8.7/10
Director: Milos Forman
Starring: Brad Dourif, Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito, Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, W...
Jack Nicholson gives a powerful, flamboyant performance in this adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel about a free spirit in a mental ward. Nicholson's rebe... Read more