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 Golden Lotus (1974)
6.1/10
Director: Han Hsiang Li
Starring: Ping Chen, Ching Hu, Tanny Ni Tien, Kwan Yeung, Jackie Chan, Shen Chan
In this period sexploitation drama based on a famous erotic novel also titled "The Golden Lotus", Yang Chun is a famous Sung Dynasty lothario whose qu... Read more
The Good Die Young (1954)
6.8/10
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Starring: Laurence Harvey, Stanley Baker, Joan Collins, Robert Morley, Gloria Grahame, Ric...
A psychological crime yarn, based on the novel by Richard Macaulay, exploring the motivations of four participants in an armed robbery. Ex-GI Joe (Ric... Read more
The Good German (2006)
6.1/10
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Tobey Maguire, Beau Bridges, Tony Curran, Leland...
Soderbergh's ode to the 1940s' post-war noir was shot authentically on equipment used at the time, and is based on the best-selling novel by Joseph Ka... Read more
The Graduate (1967)
8/10
Director: Mike Nichols
Starring: Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross, Murray Hamilton, William Daniels
A landmark film of the late '60s that's still just as pungent and funny. Dustin Hoffman, in his first major film role, plays an ultra-naive college gr... Read more
The Graduate ( Blu-ray ) (1967)
8/10
Director: Mike Nichols
Starring: Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross, Murray Hamilton, William Daniels
A landmark film of the late '60s that's still just as pungent and funny. Dustin Hoffman, in his first major film role, plays an ultra-naive college gr... Read more
The Great Escape (1963)
8.2/10
Director: John Sturges
Starring: Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, James Garner, James Donald, James Coburn, D...
An epic WWII adventure film starring Steve McQueen, unforgettable as "the Cooler King," leading Allied prisoners in a daring escape from a German POW... Read more
The Great Gatsby (1949)
6.6/10
Director: Elliott Nugent
Starring: Macdonald Carey, Betty Field, Alan Ladd, Ruth Hussey, Barry Sullivan, Howard Da...
This 1949 movie lavishly takes us on the journey of Jay Gatsby (Alan Ladd) who worked his way from poor fisherman to extravagant millionaire. Travel b... Read more
The Great Gatsby (1974)
6.4/10
Director: Jack Clayton
Starring: Karen Black, Bruce Dern, Mia Farrow, Robert Redford, Scott Wilson, Sam Waterston...
Robert Redford and Mia Farrow with a script by Francis Coppola, adapted from the book by F Scott Fitzgerald about a golden boy who crashes Long Island... Read more
The Great Gatsby ( Blu-ray ) (1974)
6.4/10
Director: Jack Clayton
Starring: Bruce Dern, Lois Chiles, Mia Farrow, Robert Redford, Sam Waterston, Scott Wilson
Nick Carraway, a young Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, t... Read more
The Great Locomotive Chase / Shipwrecked (1956)
Director: Francis D Lyon, Nils Gaup
Starring: Jeffrey Hunter, Fess Parker, Kenneth Tobey, Stian Smestad, Gabriel Byrne
'The Great Locomotive Chase' - An adventure story based on a true American Civil War incident of a mission behind Confederate lines to steal a Union t... Read more