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'.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
7.4/10
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon, Johnny Depp, Christopher Lee, Christina Ricc...
Washington Irving's timeless tale of an 18th century New York village terrorized by a noggin-stealing spectre is given a suspenseful screen translatio... Read more
Sliver (1993)
5/10
Director: Phillip Noyce
Starring: William Baldwin, Tom Berenger, Sharon Stone, Martin Landau
Sharon Stone scorches the screen with her supercharged erotic performance in this thriller, playing a New York book editor who finds herself caught up... Read more
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
8/10
Director: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan
Starring: Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Irfan Khan
Danny Boyle's quirky and suspenseful romantic drama is set in the slums of Mumbai and riffs on the multi-cultural icon that is 'Who Wants to Be a Mill... Read more
Snow Angels (2006)
6.4/10
Director: David Gordon Green
Starring: Michael Angarano, Jeanetta Arnette, Kate Beckinsale, Griffin Dunne, Tom Noonan,...
Another well-crafted drama from David Gordon Green ('Undertow', 'George Washington'), based on Stewart O'Nan's novel. Set in the snowbound suburbs of... Read more
Snow Falling on Cedars (1999)
6.8/10
Director: Scott Hicks
Starring: Ethan Hawke, James Cromwell, Richard Jenkins, Sam Shepard, Youki Kudoh, Max von...
In 1950s Washington State, Japanese-American Rick Yune stands accused of killing a white fisherman. As the trial threatens to stir up old prejudices,... Read more
Solaris (2002)
6.2/10
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: George Clooney, Jeremy Davies, Natascha McElhone, Viola Davis, Ulrich Tukur
Aboard a lonely space station orbiting a mysterious planet, terrified crew members are experiencing a host of strange phenomena, including resurrected... Read more
Solaris (1972)
8.1/10
Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
Starring: Natalya Bondarchuk, Donatas Banionis, Juri Jarvet
A mind-bending, metaphysical film about an investigation into why astronauts on a space station situated above the planet Solaris have suffered mental... Read more
Solaris ( Blu-ray ) (1972)
8.1/10
Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
Starring: Donatas Banionis, Natalya Bondarchuk, Juri Jarvet
A mind-bending, metaphysical film about an investigation into why astronauts on a space station situated above the planet Solaris have suffered mental... Read more
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
6.8/10
Director: Jack Clayton
Starring: Jason Robards, Jonathan Pryce, Diane Ladd, Pam Grier
Ray Bradbury wrote the screenplay based on his own novel about a mysterious carnival's visit to a turn-of-the-century Midwestern town. Full of wonderf... Read more
Sophia Loren Collection: Heller In Pink Tights (1960) / Desire Under the Elms (1958) / A Breath of Scandal (1960)
Director: Delbert Mann, George Cukor, Michael Curtiz
Starring: Sophia Loren, Anthony Quinn, Burl Ives, Anthony Perkins, Maurice Chevalier, Ange...
This classic collection features three films from Italian screen beauty Sophia Loren. 'Heller In Pink Tights' - Based on the novel by Louis L'Amour, t... Read more