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 Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
8.9/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, Andy Serk...
Director Peter Jackson's triumphant finale to fantasy cinema's most acclaimed series has Frodo, Sam and the treacherous Gollum attempt to destroy the... Read more
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - Extended Edition (2003)
6.2/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, Andy Serk...
The Fellowship's journey is coming to an end. Sauron's forces have attacked Gondor's capital of Minas Tirith in his final siege against mankind. Watch... Read more
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
8.7/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Miran...
With the Fellowship of the Ring splintered, the war for Middle Earth continues in the second Tolkien tale from Peter Jackson. As warriors Aragorn (Vig... Read more
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Extended Edition (2002)
6.2/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchet...
A new version of the second instalment in the epic trilogy now includes over 40 minutes of never-before-seen footage. Frodo Baggins and the Fellowshi... Read more
The Lost (2005)
6.7/10
Director: Chris Sivertson
Starring: Marc Senter, Shay Astar, Alex Frost, Megan Henning, Robin Sydney, Dee Wallace, E...
Based on the novel by Jack Ketchum, this horror/thriller is set in the late '60s when the youth of America were either getting their heads down at sch... Read more
The Lost World (1992)
5.3/10
Director: Timothy Bond
Starring: David Warner, John Rhys-Davies, Tamara Gorski, Eric McCormack, Darren Mercer
Pursuing rumours of prehistoric life still thriving in the unexplored jungles of Africa, thrill-seeking journalist, Edward Malone, sparks an expeditio... Read more
The Lost World (1925)
7.1/10
Director: Harry Hoyt
Starring: Bessie Love, Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone
The original silent film version of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic adventure story about a group of travellers who are transported to a world populated... Read more
The Magus (1968)
5.9/10
Director: Guy Green
Starring: Candice Bergen, Michael Caine, Anthony Quinn, Anna Karina
John Fowles's complex novel (he also wrote the screenplay) is the basis for this bizarre and surreal classic. Michael Caine is an English school teac... Read more
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
8.1/10
Director: John Huston
Starring: Peter Lorre, Mary Astor, Humphrey Bogart
Even if you've seen this film so often that you know all the dialogue, it never ceases to amaze. Great actors Bogart, Mary Astor, Sydney Greenstreet a... Read more
The Man From Beijing (2011)
6/10
Director: Peter Keglevic
Starring: Michael Nyqvist, Suzanne von Borsody, Claudia Michelse, Amy Cheng, James Taenaka
A mass murder, a female judge and diary entries from ages ago, surely now forgotten. Judge Brigitta Roslin has to make a long and dangerous journey b... Read more