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 Lair Of The White Worm (1988)
5.9/10
Director: Ken Russell
Starring: Amanda Donohoe, Hugh Grant, Catherine Oxenberg
Ken Russell unearths a tale written by Bram Stoker ('Dracula') about an ancient pagan snake cult flourishing in the modern English countryside, and ad... Read more
The Last Detective: Series 3 & 4 (2005)
7.8/10
Starring: Sean Hughes, Emma Amos, Peter Davison
Peter Davison returns for the complete third and four series as the offbeat detective 'Dangerous' Davies whose gentle nature makes him the Last Detect... Read more
The Last King of Scotland (2006)
7.7/10
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Starring: Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Simon McBurne...
Forest Whitaker walked away with the Best Actor Oscar for his complex portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. Adapted from the novel by Giles Foden, t... Read more
The Last Man on Earth (1964)
6.9/10
Director: Sidney Salkow
Starring: Vincent Price, Franca Bettoia
When a deadly airborne virus strikes down humanity, the immune Dr. Robert Morgan (Vincent Price) becomes the last man on earth. Yet Morgan is not alon... Read more
The Last Man on Earth (Copy) (1964)
7.3/10
Director: Sidney Salkow
Starring: Vincent Price, Franca Bettoia
When a deadly airborne virus strikes down humanity, the immune Dr. Robert Morgan (Vincent Price) becomes the last man on earth. Yet Morgan is not alon... Read more
The Last Mimzy (2007)
6.3/10
Director: Robert Shaye
Starring: Chris O'Neill, Rhiannon Leigh Wryn, Joely Richardson, Timothy Hutton, Rainn Wils...
A young brother and sister discover a mysterious box of artifacts while holidaying with their family and soon realise the contents are quite out of th... Read more
The Last Picture Show (1971)
8.1/10
Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Starring: Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Ben Johnson, Ellen Burstyn, Cloris Leachman, Cybi...
Peter Bogdanovich's masterfully rendered, critically acclaimed drama follows the loves, dreams and fates of the denizens of a small Texas town in the... Read more
The Last Tycoon (1976)
6.3/10
Director: Elia Kazan
Starring: Robert De Niro, Tony Curtis, Jeanne Moreau, Anjelica Huston, Theresa Russell, Ja...
Based on the unfinished novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, celebrated actor Robert De Niro heads a powerhouse cast as ruthless motion-picture studio head M... Read more
The Leather Boys (1966)
7.3/10
Director: Sidney J Furie
Starring: Rita Tushingham, Dudley Sutton, Colin Campbell
A bold and engaging drama set against the decadent motorcycle clubs of 1960s England. Rita Tushingham ('A Taste of Honey') and Colin Campbell star as... Read more
The Legend of Hell House (1973)
6.8/10
Director: John Hough
Starring: Pamela Franklin, Roddy McDowall, Clive Revill, Gayle Hunnicutt
Four psychic investigators take on 'the Mt. Everest of haunted houses' in this effectively chilling ghost story. It's already destroyed one team of re... Read more