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'.
Roots (1977)
8.4/10
Director: David Greene, Gilbert Moses, John Erman, Marvin Chomsky
Starring: John Amos, Maya Angelou, Edward Asner, Lloyd Bridges, Georg Stanford Brown, LeVa...
His name was Kunta Kinte. Kidnapped from Africa and enslaved in America in 1767, he refused to accept his slave name of Toby. Heirs kept his heroic de... Read more
Rosamunde Pilcher's: Coming Home (1998)
6.9/10
Director: Giles Foster
Starring: David McCallum, Joanna Lumley, Peter O'Toole, Emily Mortimer, Paul Bettany, Pene...
An epic tale of friendship, family and love set before, during and after World War II in beautiful coastal England, and based on Rosamund Pilcher's be... Read more
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
8/10
Director: Roman Polanski
Starring: John Cassavetes, Mia Farrow, Ralph Bellamy, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, Mauric...
Horrifying and darkly comic, "Rosemarys Baby" was Roman Polanski's Hollywood debut. This wildly entertaining nightmare, faithfully adapted from Ira L... Read more
Royal Flash (1975)
6.8/10
Director: Richard Lester
Starring: Joss Ackland, Alan Bates, Britt Ekland, Bob Hoskins, Malcolm McDowell, Oliver Re...
Based on the second novel in George MacDonald Fraser's Harry Flashman series, this spirited, swashbuckling comedy from director Richard Lester feature... Read more
Rumpole of the Bailey: Rumpole's Return (1980)
8.5/10
Director: John Glenister
Starring: Leo McKern, Peter Bowles, Patricia Hodge, Patsy Smart
In a stand alone feature-length episode that follows on from the end of series 2, Rumpole (Leo McKern) has retired and moved to Florida to be closer t... Read more
Runaway (1984)
5.9/10
Director: Michael Crichton
Starring: Tom Selleck, Cynthia Rhodes, Gene Simmons, Kirstie Alley
Michael Crichton ('Jurassic Park', 'Timeline') wrote and directed this sci-fi thriller. Tom Selleck is Jack Ramsey, a cop and single dad in a future... Read more
Running with Scissors (2006)
6.2/10
Director: Ryan Murphy
Starring: Annette Bening, Brian Cox, Joseph Fiennes, Evan Rachel Wood, Alec Baldwin, Jill...
Based on the memoir of Augusten Burroughs, this dysfunctional '70s family comedy/drama has an outstanding ensemble cast with Annette Bening as the del... Read more
Ruth Rendell Mysteries: A Case of Coincidence (1996)
6.8/10
Director: Gavin Millar
Starring: Keith Barron, Caroline Bliss, Ronald Pickup
Ruth Rendell (the 'Queen of Crime') has written more than 40 books and been translated into 20 languages. She penned this original story of murder and... Read more
Ruth Rendell Mysteries: Master of the Moor (1994)
6.8/10
Director: Marc Evans
Starring: Colin Firth, George Costigan, Robert Urquhart
Colin Firth stars as Stephen Whalby in this adaptation of Rendell's gothic-tinged mystery about a brooding loner and the detective that suspects the w... Read more
Ruth Rendell Mysteries: Vanity Dies Hard (1995)
6.8/10
Director: Alan Grint
Starring: Eleanor David, Mark Frankel, Jane Gurnett
The internationally popular crime author Ruth Rendell presents another puzzler. Alice Whittaker goes to visit her old friend Nesta after her husband's... Read more