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'.
The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)
6.4/10
Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Leslie Jones, Bill Hader, Awkwafina Nora Lum, Sterling...
Red, Chuck, Bomb and the rest of their feathered friends are surprised when a green pig suggests that they put aside their differences and unite to fi... Read more
The Angry Birds Movie 2 (Blu-Ray) (2019)
6.4/10
Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Leslie Jones, Bill Hader, Awkwafina Nora Lum, Sterling...
Red, Chuck, Bomb and the rest of their feathered friends are surprised when a green pig suggests that they put aside their differences and unite to fi... Read more
The Anthony Trollope Collection: The Barchester Chronicles / The Way We Live Now / He Knew He Was Right (2004)
Director: David Giles, David Yates, Tom Vaughan
Starring: Donald Pleasence, David Gwillim, Geraldine McEwan, Alan Rickman, Nigel Hawthorne...
Three exceptional BBC mini-series, adapted from the works of 19th century novelist, Anthony Trollope. 'The Barchester Chronicles' (1982) is based on... Read more
The Ax ( Le Couperet ) (2005)
7.4/10
Director: Constantin Costa-Gavras
Starring: Jose Garcia, Karin Viard, Geordy Monfils, Christa Theret, Ulrich Tukur, Olivier...
Based on the novel by David E. Westlake, this dark satire on the competetive job market stars Jose Garcia as Bruno Davert, a man who, two years after... Read more
The Bad Seed (2019)
7.5/10
Starring: Matt Minto, Dean O'Gorman, Jodie Hillock, Xavier Horan, Chelsie Preston Crayford...
The Bad Seed tells the story of two brothers from a dysfunctional family who have raised themselves up from the desperate days of their early childhoo... Read more
The Ballad of the Sad Cafe (1990)
6.5/10
Director: Simon Callow
Starring: Vanessa Redgrave, Keith Carradine, Rod Steiger
A provocative adaptation of Carson McCullers' story about a plain, lonely woman (Vanessa Redgrave) in a small Southern town and the battle of wills sh... Read more
The Barchester Chronicles (1982)
7.7/10
Director: David Giles
Starring: Donald Pleasence, Geraldine McEwan, Alan Rickman, Nigel Hawthorne
The Barchester Chronicles, a BBC miniseries, is adapted from two mid-19th century novels by Anthony Trollope. When a crusade against the Church of Eng... Read more
The Basketball Diaries (1995)
7.3/10
Director: Scott Kalvert
Starring: Bruno Kirby, Ernie Hudson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lorraine Bracco, Mark Wahlberg
Jim Carroll's renowned autobiography about high school, heroin, sex, writing and of course basketball, stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the brooding young C... Read more
The Beach (2000)
6.6/10
Director: Danny Boyle
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert Carlyle, Tilda Swinton, Virginie Ledoyen, Guillaume Ca...
The discovery of a hidden island paradise off the Thai coast leads to a sensual idyll for American tourist Leonardo DiCaprio and French fellow travell... Read more
The Belstone Fox (1973)
6.7/10
Director: James Hill
Starring: Eric Porter, Jeremy Kemp, Bill Travers, Rachel Roberts, Dennis Waterman
Based on the book 'The Ballad of the Belstone Fox' by David Rook, which was also the source for the Disney classic 'The Fox & The Hound', this live ac... Read more