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'.
Tai-Pan (1986)
5.5/10
Director: Daryl Duke
Starring: Bryan Brown, Joan Chen, John Stanton, Tim Guinee
James Clavell's sprawling romantic adventure about the foreign traders who established the port of Hong Kong in the early 19th century. Bryan Brown st... Read more
Taking Woodstock (2009)
6.7/10
Director: Ang Lee
Starring: Demetri Martin, Dan Fogler, Imelda Staunton, Emile Hirsch, Eugene Levy, Henry Go...
Director Ang Lee detours into comic territory with this true story, based on Elliot Tiber's book, about how he, an in-the-closet Greenwich Village int... Read more
Tales from Earthsea (2006)
6.5/10
Director: Goro Miyazaki
The son of legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki makes his directing debut with this adapatation of the third and fourth books in Ursula K. LeGuin's belov... Read more
Tales of Ordinary Madness (1983)
6.9/10
Director: Marco Ferreri
Starring: Ben Gazzara, Ornella Muti, Susan Tyrrell
Based on the short stories of American writer Charles Bukowski ('Barfly'), this paints a passionate, steamy portrait of a grizzled poet (Ben Gazzara)... Read more
Tales of the City (1993)
8.8/10
Director: Alastair Reid
Starring: Olympia Dukakis, Donald Moffat, Laura Linney, Chloe Webb
Take a trip back to the 'disco inferno' of San Francisco in the mid 70's, and follow the romantic and personal crises of the residents of 28 Barbary L... Read more
Tara Road (2005)
6/10
Director: Gillies MacKinnon
Starring: Andie MacDowell, Olivia Williams, Stephen Rea, Iain Glen, Brenda Fricker, Ruby W...
Adapted from Maeve Binchy's best-selling novel about two women, one American (Andie MacDowell) and one Irish (Olivia Williams) who swap houses - and l... Read more
Tarka the Otter (1979)
6.9/10
Director: David Cobham
Starring: Narrated by, Peter Ustinov
A captivating tale set in the 1920s and based on the best-selling book by Henry Williamson. This is one of those highly unusual films told almost enti... Read more
Tenderness (2008)
6.6/10
Director: John Polson
Starring: Russell Crowe, Jon Foster, Sophie Traub, Arja Bareikis, Alexis Dziena, Michael K...
A slow-burn thriller with Russell Crowe as dogged New York cop Detective Cristofuoro who's keeping a close eye on teenage murderer Eric Poole (Ben Fos... Read more
Tess (1979)
7.3/10
Director: Roman Polanski
Starring: John Bett, Peter Firth, Nastassja Kinski, Leigh Lawson
Winner of three Academy Awards, Polanski's interpretation of Thomas Hardy's novel is a beautiful and timeless masterwork destined to be a classic. Nas... Read more
Tess of the D'Urbervilles (2008)
7.8/10
Director: David Blair
Starring: Anna Massey, Hans Matheson, Ian Puleston-Davies, Eddie Redmayne, Jodie Whittaker...
Gemma Arterton stars as the spirited heroine in this passionate BBC adaptation of the Thomas Hardy classic. Young Tess is driven by family poverty to... Read more