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 Dam Busters (1954)
7.4/10
Director: Michael Anderson
Starring: Ursula Jeans, Michael Redgrave, Richard Todd
Richard Todd and Michael Redgrave star in this film about the development of a specially designed ordinance, the aptly named 'bouncing bombs', used to... Read more
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys (2002)
7.1/10
Director: Peter Care
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Kieran Culkin, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jena Malone, Jodie Foster, Jake...
Adapted from the novel by Chris Fuhrman about a group of bright-but-bored boys in a seventies Catholic school. To amuse themselves they have written... Read more
The Darling Buds of May: Series 1 (1991)
7.8/10
Director: David Giles, Rodney Bennett, Robert Tronson
Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, David Jason, Pam Ferris, Philip Franks, Stephanie Ralph
Set in quintessential 1950s England and based on the novels by H.E. Bates. This popular series is based around the eccentric and loveable Larkin famil... Read more
The Darling Buds of May: Series 3 (1993)
7.8/10
Director: David Giles, Rodney Bennett, Robert Tronson
Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Pam Ferris, David Jason, Philip Franks, Stephanie Ralph
The eccentric and loveable Larkin family, return for the third season of the popular series based on the novels by H.E. Bates. Wallow in the nostalgi... Read more
The Darling Buds of May: The Complete Series (1991)
7.8/10
Director: David Giles, Rodney Bennett, Robert Tronson, Steve Goldie
Starring: David Jason, Pam Ferris, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stephanie Ralph, Philip Franks
Set in the idyllic rural bliss of 1950s England, David Jason is the head of the eccentric and lovable Larkin family, along with wife, Pam Ferris. Thei... Read more
The Day of the Triffids (1963)
6.1/10
Director: Steve Sekely
Starring: Howard Keel, Nicole Maurey, Janet Scott
While much of the earth's population is blinded by a brilliant meteor shower, small plants called triffids undergo horrifying mutations causing them t... Read more
The Death and Life of Bobby Z (2007)
Director: John Herzfeld
Starring: Paul Walker, Laurence Fishburne, Jason Lewis, Jason Flemyng, Keith Carradine, Ol...
Paul Walker is an ex-Marine with a knack for getting himself in trouble. Currently serving a stretch for assault, he manages to kill off a prison gan... Read more
The Decameron (1971)
7.1/10
Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Starring: Ninetto Davoli, Franco Citti, Angela Luce
The first part of Pasolini's great trilogy, based on the ribald tales of Boccaccio, which deal with human sensuality and artistic creation. Pasolini h... Read more
The Detective (1968)
6.5/10
Director: Gordon Douglas
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Lee Remick, Ralph Meeker, Jack Klugman, Lloyd Bochner
Based on the novel by Roderick Thorp, this gritty crime drama stars Frank Sinatra as a cop assigned to investigate the murder of a prominent gay man.... Read more
The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941)
7.8/10
Director: William Dieterle
Starring: Walter Huston, Edward Arnold, James Craig, Anne Shirley, Simone Simon
Stephen Vincent Benet's "New Englandized" Faust story. A young 19th-century farmer (James Craig) sells his soul to Mr. Scratch (Walter Huston) for sev... Read more