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 Best of Enemies (2019)
7/10
Director: Robin Bissell
Starring: Taraji P Henson, Sam Rockwell
The true story of the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater, an outspoken civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis, a local Ku Klux Klan leader. Duri... Read more
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
8.1/10
Director: William Wyler
Starring: Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Teresa Wright, Dana Andrews, Virginia Mayo, Cathy O'Do...
One of Hollywood's best. Three men return home after WWII and must re-adjust to civilian life, to their families, to their own changed lives. Expertly... Read more
The Best Years of Our Lives (Blu-ray) (1946)
8/10
Director: William Wyler
Starring: Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Teresa Wright, Dana Andrews, Virginia Mayo, Cathy O'Do...
One of Hollywood's best. Three men return home after WWII and must re-adjust to civilian life, to their families, to their own changed lives. Expertly... Read more
The Big Man (1990)
5/10
Director: David Leland
Starring: Ian Bannen, John Beattie, Billy Connolly, Kenny Ireland, Peter Mullan, Liam Nees...
Liam Neeson is Danny Scoular, an out of work miner, desperate to put food on his family's table. When he is offered money by a local crime boss to ta... Read more
The Big Sleep (1946)
8/10
Director: Howard Hawks
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Dorothy Malone, Martha Vickers
Raymond Chandler's witty and convoluted whodunit comes to life under director Howard Hawks. Humphrey Bogart is tough private eye Philip Marlowe, Laure... Read more
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)
7.2/10
Director: Dario Argento
Starring: Tony Musante, Suzy Kendall, Enrico Maria Salerno, Eva Renzi, Umberto Raho
After witnessing an attempted murder, American writer Sam Dalmas (Tony Musante) decides to stay in Italy to help the police with their enquiries. He... Read more
The Birds (1963)
7.7/10
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Veronica Cartwright, Tippi Hedren, Suzanne Pleshette, Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy
Nature runs amok in this chilling adaptation of the Daphne du Maurier story, as a small Californian coastal town finds itself under attack by gulls, c... Read more
The Birds ( Blu-ray ) (1963)
7.7/10
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Veronica Cartwright, Tippi Hedren, Suzanne Pleshette, Jessica Tandy, Rod Taylor
Nature runs amok in this chilling adaptation of the Daphne du Maurier story, as a small Californian coastal town finds itself under attack by gulls, c... Read more
The Birth of a Nation (1915)
6.7/10
Director: D W Griffith
Starring: Lillian Gish, Mae Marsh, Henry B Walthall
An epic tale of the Civil War which many consider to be the single most important film in the development of cinema as an art. It is a stunning summar... Read more
The Black Dahlia (2006)
5.6/10
Director: Brian De Palma
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Aaron Eckhart, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, Mia Kirshner, Mi...
Brian de Palma tackles one of Hollywood's grisliest and most sensational unsolved murders, adapted from the fictional novel by James Ellroy. Elizabet... Read more