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'.
Red Riding Hood & The Wind in the Willows (2006)
7.4/10
Director: Terry Jones, Randal Kleiser
Starring: Steve Coogan, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Antony Sher, Nicol Williamson, John Cleese...
Red Riding Hood: Grandma is babysitting her two grandkids. The girl wants to go out, but grandma asks them to hear a story first. The kids accept if t... Read more
Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967)
7/10
Director: John Huston
Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Brian Keith, Julie Harris, Gordon Mitchell, Rob...
Based on the novel by Carson McCullers, Marlon Brando stars as the hard-driving military officer whose latent homosexuality has led his passionate wif... Read more
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
8.3/10
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Starring: Jared Leto, Marlon Wayans, Jennifer Connelly, Ellen Burstyn
As powerful an anti-drug statement as it is a drama, director Aronofsky's ('Pi') visually hypnotic film graphically tracks the downward spiral of four... Read more
Reservation Road (2007)
6.7/10
Director: Terry George
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Connelly, Mira Sorvino
A powerful human story of anger, revenge and great courage. The tragic death of a child in a hit-and-run accident tears apart the family of the child'... Read more
Return to the Lost World (1993)
5/10
Director: Timothy Bond
Starring: John Rhys-Davies, David Warner, Eric McCormack, Tamara Gorski, Darren Mercer
Answering a distress call from Africa, two rival scientists set out for the Lost World and find it threatened with destruction by sinister oil prospec... Read more
Revenge (1990)
6.2/10
Director: Tony Scott
Starring: Kevin Costner, Madeleine Stowe, Anthony Quinn, Sally Kirkland
Kevin Costner stars as Michael J Cochran, a former fighter pilot who finds himself irresistibly drawn to the beautiful wife of old friend and gangster... Read more
Reversible Errors (2004)
6.3/10
Director: Mike Robe
Starring: William H Macy, Tom Selleck, Monica Potter, Felicity Huffman, James Rebhorn, She...
A tense courtroom drama, made as a TV mini-series, and starring William H Macy as a corporate lawyer who reluctantly takes on a pro bono murder case.... Read more
Revolutionary Road (2008)
7.3/10
Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Michael Shannon, Ryan Simpkins, Ty Simpkins, Ka...
Sam Mendes directs his wife Kate Winslet and her 'Titanic' co-star, Leonardo DiCaprio in this searing adaptation of Richard Yates' novel about 1950s s... Read more
Richard Scarry's Best Imagination Collection (1990)
Director: Tony Eastman
Join Huckle Cat, Lowly Worm, and all the other delightful Richard Scarry characters in the Busytown playground as they take turns answering every chil... Read more
Richard Scarry's Best Learning Collection (1990)
Join Huckle Cat, Lowly Worm, and all their friends for Alphabet Day at the Busytown School! Huckle and his classmates present the alphabet in the cont... Read more