Today I’m talking about films made from books. The kind that works. At least they work for me.

• The Lord of the Rings trilogy
  I don’t know how often I have seen it, I’ve seen it in the movie theatre and at home, the regular version, the director’s cut, with background comments of about every person thinkable and the making of. Love it.
• Misery
  About the only film after a Stephen King book that works, at least of the ones I have seen. Kathy Bates alone is worth watching it.
• Pride & Prejudice, the BBC mini series
  Well, Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy. I don’t need to say more, do I?
• Why didn’t they ask Evans? 
  A lot of Agatha Christie books have been turned into films that work, but I especially like this one. No Poirot, no Miss Marple, not even the Beresford couple, but two other sleuths. I could watch it again and again for its nice atmosphere, the landscape, the fashion, the clever plot and Leigh Lawson as Roger Bassington-ffrench (what a name!).
• Young Frankenstein
  I know, it is not exactly like the book (not quite), but it is so funny. Come on, who doesn’t like the scene with Abby Normal?
• Bram’ Stoker’s Dracula
  You know, the one with sexy Gary Oldman. My husband keeps telling me that Dracula is NOT a romance, but I don’t believe him.
• A room with a view
  The first film I saw Daniel Day Lewis in. Loved him. Oh, and the Italian setting and Julian Sands, of course. And the gorgeous Helena Bonham-Carter. James Ivory can do no wrong.
• A clockwork orange
  Malcolm McDowell as Alex – perfect.
• Dangerous Liaisons
  The book is great and so is the film. The cast is incredible. I loved John Malkovich as the Conte de Valmont.
• The unbearable lightness of being
  Book by Milan Kundera and Daniel Day Lewis in the film. This had to work for me. And it did.
• The Princess Bride
  Another Rob Reiner film. Who does not love The Princess Bride? And Cary Elwes as Wesley. Did you know that William Goldman who wrote the Princess Bride (book and screenplay) also wrote the screenplay for Misery?
• Rosemary’s Baby
  I loved the atmosphere in that building and Ruth Gordon as Minnie Castevet. Exactly like I pictured her when I read the book.
• The name of the rose
  Impressive castle, great cast, wonderful story. I think this was the first time I saw Christian Slater. But the character I remember best was Ron Perlman as Salvatore.

To see what other Thursday 13ers blogged about, go here.