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 Chronicles of Narnia 2 / 3 - Prince Caspian / The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1990)
Director: Alex Kirby
Starring: Richard Dempsey, Sophie Cook, Jonathan R Scott, Sophie Wilcox, David Thwaites
Prince Caspian calls Lucy, Edmund, Peter, and Susan back to Narnia in his most harrowing time of need. Led by Aslan, the Great Lion, the children help... Read more
The Chronicles of Narnia 4 - The Silver Chair (1990)
Director: Alex Kirby
Starring: Camilla Power, David Thwaites, Tat Whalley, Tom Baker, Patsy Byrne
On the run from bullies at school, Eustace and his friend, Jill, suddenly find themselves in Narnia. Prince Rilian, son of the old and frail King Casp... Read more
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
6.5/10
Director: Andrew Adamson
Starring: Ben Barnes, Sergio Castellitto, Warwick Davis, Peter Dinklage, Georgie Henley, S...
The second in the Narnia series from Kiwi director Andrew Adamson finds the Pevensie children once again whisked away into the realm of Narnia, where... Read more
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (2005)
6.9/10
Director: Andrew Adamson
Starring: Tilda Swinton, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell,...
Four London children, sent from London to live in a reclusive professor's countryside estate during World War II, discover a mysterious wardrobe in th... Read more
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe ( Blu-ray ) (2005)
6.9/10
Director: Andrew Adamson
Starring: Tilda Swinton, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell,...
Four London children, sent from London to live in a reclusive professor's countryside estate during World War II, discover a mysterious wardrobe in th... Read more
The Cider House Rules (1999)
7.4/10
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Michael Caine, Delroy Lindo, Charlize Theron
From the director of "My Life as a Dog" comes author John Irving's acclaimed adaptation of his novel set in 1940's New England, which follows a young... Read more
The Claim (2000)
6.5/10
Director: Michael Winterbottom
Starring: Wes Bentley, Milla Jovovich, Nastassja Kinski, Peter Mullan, Sarah Polley
Inspired by Thomas Hardy's "The Mayor of Casterbridge", this sumptuosly photographed saga from Michael Winterbottom ("Jude") is set in a small town in... Read more
The Clan of the Cave Bear (1986)
5.4/10
Director: Michael Chapman
Starring: Daryl Hannah, James Remar, Pamela Reed
The Neanderthal drama based on Jean Auel's popular novel casts Daryl Hannah as a beautiful outcast shunned by her tribe of swarthy cavemen. Determined... Read more
The Class ( Entre Les Murs ) (2008)
7.5/10
Director: Laurent Cantet
Starring: Francois Begaudeau, Franck Keita, Nassim Amrabt, Esmerelda Ouertani
French director Laurent Cantet does something miraculous with the well-worn conceit of a teacher and his underprivileged students in this fresh and op... Read more
The Color Purple (1985)
7.8/10
Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Adolph Caesar, Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Margaret Avery
Steven Spielberg's magnum opus, with Whoopi Goldberg and Danny Glover in an adaptation of Alice Walker's seminal book. A richly-textured, decades-span... Read more