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'.
Poirot: Mrs McGinty's Dead (2008)
8.6/10
Director: Ashley Pearce
Starring: Amanda Root, David Suchet, Richard Hope, Ruth Gemmell, Sian Phillips, Zoe Wanama...
Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) takes on his toughest challenge yet as he races to prove a convicted killer is innocent. Mrs McGinty was killed by a bru... Read more
Poirot: Mystery of the Blue Train (2005)
8.6/10
Director: Hettie Macdonald
Starring: Lindsay Duncan, Roger Lloyd Pack, James D'Arcy, Elliott Gould
Poirot journeys on the renowned Blue Train to the French Riviera, mingling with a cast of colourful characters as unbeknownst to him a body lies await... Read more
Poldark: Series 1 (1975)
8.5/10
Director: Christopher Barry, Paul Annett
Starring: Frank Middlemass, Robin Ellis, Nicholas Selby, Angharad Rees, Jill Townsend
18th Century Cornish Squire Ross Poldark returns from the American Revolution to find his estate in disrepair and his fiancee engaged to his cousin!... Read more
Poldark: Series 2 (1977)
8.4/10
Director: Philip Dudley, Roger Jenkins
Starring: Robin Ellis, Angharad Rees, Jill Townsend, Judy Geeson, Ralph Bates, Kevin McNal...
Robin Ellis returns as Ross Poldark in the beloved BBC mini series inspired by Winston Graham's novels. Set in Cornwall in the 18th century, series tw... Read more
Poldark: Series 4 (2018)
8.4/10
Starring: Eleanor Tomlinson, Aidan Turner, Jack Farthing, Heida Reed, Beatie Edney
Ross must defend Cornwall from an empowered George Warleggan, and risks everything he holds dear as he embarks on a political journey which takes him... Read more
Porterhouse Blue (1987)
7.7/10
Director: Robert Knights
Starring: David Jason, Ian Richardson, John Sessions, Charles Gray, Barbara Jefford
Based on the best-seller by great British satirist Tom Sharpe, this TV classic stars David Jason and Ian Richardson as two men battling over the futur... Read more
Possession (2002)
6.4/10
Director: Neil LaBute
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Aaron Eckhart, Jeremy Northam, Jennifer Ehle
American literary scholar Aaron Eckhart and British professor Gwyneth Paltrow have forsaken personal lives to pursue their respective research into th... Read more
Postcards From The Edge (1990)
6.7/10
Director: Mike Nichols
Starring: Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, Dennis Quaid
Based on Carrie Fisher's best selling autobiographical novel and revolving around the caustic relationship between a mother and daughter and satirisin... Read more
Predicament (2010)
5.4/10
Director: Jason Stutter
Starring: Heath Franklin, Jemaine Clement, Hayden Frost, Tim Finn
Naive teenager Cedric Williamson, conspires with two misfits to photograph and blackmail adulterous couples. When the scam goes wrong they end up with... Read more
Priest (2011)
5.7/10
Director: Scott Stewart
Starring: Brad Dourif, Christopher Plummer, Madchen Amick, Karl Urban, Paul Bettany, Maggi...
In a post-apocalyptic world, a savage war between man and vampire raged for centuries. A warrior priest (Paul Bettany) receives word of fresh attacks... Read more