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'.
Parineeta (2005)
7.3/10
Director: Pradeep Sarkar
Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, Raima Sen
Set in the Calcutta of 1962 then known as 'the Paris of the East', this timeless love story is based on Saratchandra Chatterjee's 1924 novel. Little... Read more
Patrick Melrose (2018)
8.4/10
Director: Edward Berger
Starring: Hugo Weaving, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Benedict Cumberbatch, Pip Torrens, Anna Made...
This five-part limited series based on the acclaimed novels by Edward St. Aubyn, tracks Patrick Melrose (Benedict Cumberbatch) from a privileged but d... Read more
Peaceful Warrior (2005)
7.3/10
Director: Victor Salva
Starring: Scott Mechlowicz, Nick Nolte, Amy Smart
Based on his best-selling autobiographical novel, this is the inspirational story of successful gymnast Dan Millman (Scott Melchowiz). When his Olympi... Read more
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
7.5/10
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Ben Whishaw, Alan Rickman, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Dustin Hoffman, Corinne Marchand
Born amidst the stench of 18th century Paris, Jean-Baptiste develops a highly sensitive sense of smell. As he grows older this keen sense obsesses him... Read more
Perry Mason: Season 1, Volume 1 (1957)
8.2/10
Starring: Raymond Burr, William Hopper, Barbara Hale
Lawyer and novelist Earl Stanley Gardener created the character of defence attorney Perry Mason in 1933, and Mason made his way on to the TV screen i... Read more
Perry Mason: Season 1, Volume 2 (1957)
8.2/10
Starring: Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale, William Hopper
The second volume of season 1 of Perry Mason fleshes out the splendid entire first year of the show, a masterpiece of '50s film noir and crisp, savvy... Read more
Pet Sematary (2019)
6/10
Director: Kevin Kolsch, Dennis Widmyer
Starring: Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, John Lithgow
Dr. Louis Creed and his wife, Rachel, relocate from Boston to rural Maine with their two young children. The couple soon discover a mysterious burial... Read more
Pet Sematary (Blu-Ray) (2019)
6/10
Director: Kevin Kolsch, Dennis Widmyer
Starring: Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, John Lithgow
Dr. Louis Creed and his wife, Rachel, relocate from Boston to rural Maine with their two young children. The couple soon discover a mysterious burial... Read more
Phantom Lady (1944)
7.3/10
Director: Robert Siodmak
Starring: Franchot Tone, Ella Raines, Alan Curtis, Aurora Miranda, Thomas Gomez
A stylishly dank and eerie noir about an unhappily married man whose brief dalliance with a stranger leaves him with no alibi when his wife is found m... Read more
Phantoms (1997)
5.4/10
Director: Joe Chappelle
Starring: Joanna Going, Rose McGowan, Peter O'Toole, Liev Schreiber, Ben Affleck
A sci-fi horror thriller (from the novel by Dean Koontz) about sisters stumbling upon a town slaughtered by a blob-like shapeshifting beast. Late-nigh... Read more