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'.
Sherlock Holmes: Collectors' Edition (1954)
7.6/10
Director: Sheldon Reynolds
Starring: Ronald Howard, H. Marion Crawford , Christopher Lee
Ronald Howard reprises his acclaimed BBC radio role as Sherlock Holmes for the only American serial version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detecti... Read more
Sherlock Holmes: Pursuit to Algiers / The Woman in Green (1945)
7.6/10
Director: Roy William Neill
Starring: Basil Rathbone, Henry Daniell, Hillary Brooke, Nigel Bruce, Leslie Vincent
Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are widely celebrated as cinema's perfect Homes and Watson, filming more than a dozen adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan D... Read more
Sherlock Holmes: Terror by Night / Dressed to Kill (1946)
7.6/10
Director: Roy William Neill
Starring: Basil Rathbone, Mary Forbes, Nigel Bruce
Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are widely celebrated as cinema's perfect Homes and Watson, filming more than a dozen adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan D... Read more
Sherlock Holmes: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes / Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1939)
7.6/10
Director: Alfred L Werker, Roy William Neill
Starring: Basil Rathbone, Ida Lupino, Nigel Bruce, Dennis Hoey, George Zucco
'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' (1939) - Evil mastermind Professor Moriarty (George Zucco) escapes a murder conviction when Holmes (Basil Rathbone... Read more
Sherlock Holmes: The Blue Carbunkle / The Copper Beeches (1984)
7.6/10
Director: David Carson, Paul Annett
Starring: Jeremy Brett, David Burke, Rosalie Williams
Sherlock Holmes is again on the case with Jeremy Brett in the role of the clever sleuth and David Burke as his trusty friend and assistant Dr Watson.... Read more
Sherlock Holmes: The Crooked Man / The Speckled Band (1984)
7.6/10
Director: Alan Grint, John Bruce
Starring: Jeremy Brett, Edward Hardwicke, Rosalie Williams, David Burke
Sherlock Holmes is again on the case with Jeremy Brett in the role of the clever sleuth and David Burke as his trusty friend and assistant Dr Watson.... Read more
Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles (Brett) (1984)
8.2/10
Director: Sarah Harding
Starring: Jeremy Brett, Edward Hardwicke, Rosalie Williams, David Burke
Sherlock Holmes is again on the case with Jeremy Brett in the role of the clever sleuth and David Burke as his trusty friend and assistant Dr Watson.... Read more
Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles (Cushing) (1968)
5/10
Director: Graham Evans
Starring: Peter Cushing, Nigel Stock, Gary Raymond, Gabriella Licudi
Peter Cushing reprises the role of England's greatest ever detective in Arthur Conan Doyle's classic story set on the windswept moors of Dartmoor. Cou... Read more
Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles (Rathbone) / Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror (1939)
7.6/10
Director: John Rawlins, Sidney Lanfield
Starring: Basil Rathbone, Lionel Atwill, Nigel Bruce, Richard Greene, Reginald Denny
Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are widely celebrated as cinema's perfect Homes and Watson, filming more than a dozen adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan D... Read more
Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles (Richardson) (1983)
7.6/10
Director: Douglas Hickox
Starring: Ian Richardson, Martin Shaw, Glynis Barber, Denholm Elliott, Connie Booth
"It was a brave man who would cross the wild Devon moorlands in darkness - for the ancient legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles had persisted in fa... Read more