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 Great Raid (2005)
6.7/10
Director: John Dahl
Starring: Benjamin Bratt, James Franco, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Fiennes, Marton Csokas
Telling the story of one of the most successful rescue missions in US armed forces history, in which Army Rangers raided a Philippine POW camp freeing... Read more
The Great Water (2004)
7.1/10
Director: Ivo Trajkov
Starring: Saso Kekenovski, Maja Stankovska, Mitko Apostolovski, Verica Nedeska, Risto Gogo...
A prominent Macedonian politician suffers a heart attack and drifting between life and death, his mind wanders to childhood. In a camp for children w... Read more
The Great Yokai War (2005)
6.5/10
Director: Takashi Miike
Starring: Chiaki Kuriyama, Hiroyuki Miyasako, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Bunta Sugawara, Kaho Minam...
An extravagant fun-filled fantasy the whole family can enjoy from the prolific and versatile Japanese director, Takashi Miike. Embracing and re-inter... Read more
The Grifters (1990)
7/10
Director: Stephen Frears
Starring: Anjelica Huston, John Cusack, Annette Bening
A classy, suspenseful and erotic thriller acclaimed as one of the best films of the year about a mother, son (only fourteen years her junior) and son'... Read more
The Gruffalo (2009)
7.5/10
Director: Jakob Schuh, Max Lang
Starring: Helena Bonham Carter, John Hurt, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Wilkinson, James Corden, R...
The best-selling children's picture book, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, is brought to life in this beautifully animate... Read more
The Guns of Navarone (1961)
7.6/10
Director: J Lee Thompson
Starring: Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quinn, Stanley Baker, Anthony Quayle, Irene P...
Gregory Peck, David Niven, and Anthony Quinn star as a team of Allied military specialists recruited for a dangerous but imperative mission: to infilt... Read more
The Handmaid's Tale (1990)
6/10
Director: Volker Schlondorff
Starring: Natasha Richardson, Aidan Quinn, Faye Dunaway, Robert Duvall
A stylish adaptation of Margaret Atwood's novel of the not-so-distant future where certain young women are used to bear 'pure' children for the milita... Read more
The Haunting (1963)
7.6/10
Director: Robert Wise
Starring: Claire Bloom, Julie Harris, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn
This nerve-jangling adaptation of Shirley Jackson's 'The Haunting of Hill House' centres on a gathering at a Boston mansion. An anthropologist, a disb... Read more
The Haunting (1999)
4.9/10
Director: Jan De Bont
Starring: Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lili Taylor, Owen Wilson
This state-of-the-art supernatural thriller stars Liam Neeson, a professor who recruits three people for experiments which he claims will cure their i... Read more
The Hawk is Dying (2006)
6.1/10
Director: Julian Goldberger
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Michael Pitt, Michelle Williams, Robert Wisdom, Rusty Schwimmer
Paul Giamatti plays the emotionally stunted George Gattling, a man who feels out of place in the world. Living with his sister and her autistic son,... Read more