It is a truth universally acknowledged that you should always read the book before you see the film. Time and again great novels are massacred on the silver screen – the casting’s all wrong, crucial parts of the narrative are ignored, the spirit of the book is lost along the wayside. By the time you’ve seen the film you wouldn’t want to read the book after all – or if you’ve already read it, the film’s ruined your memory of the book.
But just occasionally they get it spot on. Everything comes together, and a wonderful film inspires you to go ahead and read an equally wonderful book, or simply serves to remind you how good the book actually was in the first place. Here are 10 such film adaptations that hit the nail squarely on the head – but remember: read the book and then watch the DVD…
by Margaret Mitchell
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Gone with the Wind (book)
Gone with the Wind (DVD) |
The epic spirit of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind is perfectly captured through the glorious, sweeping technicolor of David O’Selznick’s timeless masterpiece. With to-die-for performances from Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard and Olivia de Havilland, and magnificent cinematography that brings the deep South and the American Civil War to life before our very eyes, it’s impossible to read the book without picturing the film.
by William Goldman
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The Princess Bride (book)
The Princess Bride (DVD) |
Both the book and the film of The Princess Bride have established an extraordinary cult following. Given that the success of the novel is heavily dependent on the irresistibly absurd narrative voice, director Rob Reiner and William Goldman himself adopted a quite different approach for the film, producing a new but equally delightful experience. A witty, satirical and swashbuckling fairy tale for all ages, packed to the brim with comedy, romance, fantasy and adventure.
by Helen Fielding
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Bridget Jones’s Diary: A Novel (book)
Bridget Jones’s Diary (DVD) |
The hilariously cringe-worthy misadventures of hapless thirtysomething singleton Bridget Jones are brought brilliantly to life in the film adaptation of Helen Fielding’s bestselling comic masterpiece. The novel is loosely based on Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice, and in a stroke of pure casting genius, Colin Firth reprises his role in the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen’s book as the haughty but dreamy Mr Darcy.
by J.R.R.Tolkien
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The Lord of the Rings (3 Book Box set) (book)
The Lord of the Rings (DVD) |
People feel very strongly about The Lord of the Rings; making films of Tolkien’s classic novels was always going to be a risky business. But Peter Jackson’s films are such a labour of love that watching them is an experience never to be forgotten. The incredible scale of the plot, the extraordinary special effects, the brilliant casting, the detail of the craftsmanship and the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand result in films that are every bit as beautiful and powerful as the books they are based on.
by E.M.Forster
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A Passage to India (book)
A Passage to India (DVD) |
David Lean’s final film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, and it isn’t difficult to see why. It’s a faithful and accurate adaptation of E.M.Forster’s classic novel, subtly blending the mystical and the human in this compelling tale of racism in colonial India. A beautiful film and a fascinating book.
by Daphne du Maurier
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Rebecca (Virago modern classics) (book)
Rebecca (DVD) |
Alfred Hitchcock’s beautiful black and white adaptation of Rebecca is every bit as haunting and atmospheric as Daphne du Maurier’s psychological thriller. From its unforgettable opening scene to its thrilling conclusion, the film oozes class as the new Mrs de Winter gradually uncovers the dark secrets surrounding the mysterious death of her predecessor.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
by J.K.Rowling
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Book 1) (book) |
They’re not perfect, but there’s no denying that the films of the much-loved Harry Potter novels have completely shaped the way we now read them. It’s impossible to read the books without picturing Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and the rest of the star-studded cast, or recalling the spectacular special effects and set-pieces of the films. The magic, the mystery and the charm of the books lie at the very heart of the Harry Potter films, and that’s what’s made them such a phenomenal success.
by Kazuo Ishiguro
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The Remains of the Day (book)
The Remains of the Day (DVD) |
The Merchant-Ivory film of The Remains of the Day is as beautifully understated and quietly restrained as the book is. In a world of over-acted blockbusters, Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins deliver outstanding performances in this intelligent, thought-provoking and compassionate award-winner.
by Charles Dickens
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Great Expectations (Penguin Classics) (book)
Great Expectations (DVD) |
Although it doesn’t include the full plot of Charles Dickens’ masterpiece, David Lean’s 1946 film of the novel captures its essence to perfection. The richness of character, the warm humour and the atmospheric settings of the novel form the basis of the film, whilst its page-turning plot translates into compelling viewing.
by Nick Hornby
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About a Boy (book)
About a Boy (DVD) |
This unlikely relationship that develops between a cool, rich, shallow thirtysomething and a decidedly uncool, quirky, bullied 12-year-old boy is portrayed with wit and charm by Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult in the 2002 film adaptation of the novel. The Badly Drawn Boy soundtrack provides the ideal backdrop and the script is warm, funny and perceptive. A classic feel-good story.