In spite of my dislike of movie adaptations of books in general there are some that worked for me. Here is a selection (the links go to Youtube):
- Misery
Most Stephen King adaptations are pretty bad, but this was was brilliant. Kathy Bates WAS Annie Wilkes. - I, Claudius
A British TV series adapting Robert von Ranke Graves’ books about Claudius. Unforgettable: John Hurt’s dance. - Girl with a pearl earring. You just have to like everything with Colin Firth.
- The Princess Bride
My last re-read of the book was disappointing, but the movie is fabulous. My favourite character: Vizzini - The Enchanted April
A great book that we read around the world. The movie is just like it. - The Lord Peter Wimsey series with Ian Carmichael.
He owns that role. - The P&P BBC mini series
With Colin Firth & Jennifer Ehle. Need I say more? - Rebecca.
Isn’t Laurence Olivier great as Maxim de Winter? - Why didn’t they ask Evans?
Not the one with Miss Marple! No idea why they always put sleuths into the story where they don’t belong. This is a stand alone. The movie with Sir John Gielgud, Francesca Annis and James Warwick is it! - Bridget Jones’ Diary.
And yet again Colin Firth. Not saying this is the best film ever, but it worked. I like Renée Zellweger as Bridget. - Psycho
Alfred Hitchcock never fails to deliver. The film was better than the book. - Rosemary’s Baby
Not sure whether I didn’t like the Bramford best. - The Lord of the Rings
Much better than the books (sorry, all Tolkien purists). I don’t know how often I watched those movies with every possible commentary and without. This is one of my many favourite scenes. Can’t wait for The Hobbit.
What movie adaptations of books worked for you?
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Great list, I agree with many of them, and some I haven’t seen.
jessabelluh’s last post ..Thursday 13 – Kitchen Edition
I’m with you. I think all of these films did a good job reflecting the book. I would Water for Elephants and The Help to the list of fine adaptations.
Happy TT!
http://otherworlddiner.blogspot.com/2012/05/thirteen-facts-about-whales-many-of.html
I haven’t read or watched either one of those two, but I have heard a lot of good things about the books and the movies.
You are so right about Psycho. I hear they want to make yet another remake. Why mess with a classic?
Have a great Thursday!
http://harrietandfriends.com/2012/05/13-reasons-to-love-mothers-day/
Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth was great, and I also love the Lord of the Rings trilogy – although I wouldn’t say they are better than the book, but a good adaptation as in using the art of another medium in the right way.
Larissa’s last post ..Mini-reviews
OK, let me rephrase that,
. I enjoyed watching the films much more than reading the books. At times I found them boring and lenghty and Peter Jackson made just the right changes to make the experience better (at least for me).
Some yes, some no. Cool list, though; and always worth considering. I’ve got Lit Classics (sorta) this week, too.
Ron.’s last post ..Thursday Thirteen
Besides The English patient? I also like Colin firth, and A Single Man was absolutely brilliant. Have you seen it?
Ally’s last post ..The Woman in Black – Six Word Sum Up
No, I haven’t but I think I have heard about it. If my service has it I’ll put it on my DVD queue.