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OK we all agree that most film versions of books are crap but . . .

39 replies

BalloonSlayer · 23/09/2009 20:43

which ones are good?

(sorry, expect this has been done before)

I am watching Jurassic Park on telly - posting in commercial break - and it dawned on me that it's the only example I have of: Loved the book, Loved the film.

Any others?

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dinosaurus · 27/09/2009 10:12

Revolutionary Road - fab film, classic book.

blueshoes · 24/09/2009 19:41

The Shining. Superb movie in itself.

janeite · 24/09/2009 19:04

Princess Bride - yes: in fact, I think the film is better than the book.

Kiera Knightley's P&P - LOTS of people disagree with me on this though. I think it's fab, except for old whatshisname's teeth at the end.

Harry Potter - 1)2)4)5)6 all good - Prisoner of Azkaban was rubbish.

About A Boy - I think this is brilliant and v close to the book.

Of Mice And Men.

That brill Persuasion one. Kate Beckinsale's Emma (not the Gwynnie one, as that is a travesty).

MarquesDeLeon · 24/09/2009 15:05

Blade Runner
Sex and the City (not film I know but still better than book)
Dune (book and film good)
Harry Potter (books and films good)
Wuthering Heights (Laurence Olivier version)
I Robot (book and film good)
Surprisingly, quite a few really.

Scarletibis · 24/09/2009 14:52

Interview with a Vampire - loved the film, not the book couldn't finish it.

Twilight - loved this film too - haven't read the books

like monkeygirl loved Constant Gardener - the film . Can't get started on the book tho

AstronomyDomine · 24/09/2009 14:26

Hated Atonement and The Devil Wears Prada books, but can watch both films repeatedly.

bluebump · 24/09/2009 14:25

Having read Slumdog Millionaire I think it would be possibly be better as a film rather than a book. It's not often I think that and i'm yet to see the film so I may be wrong!

tillyfernackerpants · 24/09/2009 14:23

Heffa, re Princess Bride, book was first, written in 1973

The Shawshank Redemption is both a good (short) story & film

KingRolo · 24/09/2009 13:32

Brighton Rock is good, though they faffed with the ending and spoilt it a bit.

francagoestohollywood · 24/09/2009 13:27

Oh yes, I agree re Short Cuts.

TwentiethCenturyHeffa · 24/09/2009 13:25

I love both the book and the film of The Princess Bride. Although, having said that, I'm not certain which one came first.

TheFoosa · 24/09/2009 13:20

hmm, I enjoyed both book & film of Short Cuts, but can't decide which is best

MrsMerryHenry · 23/09/2009 22:54

I honestly had no idea she'd had kids (see, only seen the film!). But my god, to think that 'Wade' was ever in fashion!

choosyfloosy · 23/09/2009 21:46

IMO middle-brow/genre books do well as films because the film can add something, whereas it can only take away from a true classic. I'd say that almost the definition of a classic book is that any filmed version will be disappointing, except that a film can take off and do something else as a companion to the book.

All The President's Men - the film is better than the book.

Jaws - the film is loads better than the book.

Haven't seen the film Short Cuts yet - I wasn't that impressed by the stories tbh, I think the film might be better.

FlamingoDuBeke · 23/09/2009 21:40

I loved both the book and the film of The Time Traveler's Wife.

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BalloonSlayer · 23/09/2009 21:36

"Hardy seems to do well in films."

  • might that be because his books are chapter after chapter page after page of interminable description and what little action there is can fill up 90 minutes nicely?
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BalloonSlayer · 23/09/2009 21:34

If you're not taking the pee, MrsMH , Scarlett called her son what she did because that was the name of her husband's commanding officer, as was the fashion at the time. (You see it in the film, on the letter of condolence).

And her second child she calls "Ella Lorena," "the most fashionable name at the time."

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Monkeygirl69 · 23/09/2009 21:26

Was Dirty Dancing ever a book?

MrsMerryHenry · 23/09/2009 21:16

What?? She had children??? And she called her son 'Wade'????? I think you'll find that that's why they cut him out, Slayer.

Constant Gardner is excellent.

browntrout · 23/09/2009 21:13

ooh this is yesterday, do you not like the film at all? Funnily enough, this is one of the few occasions where I saw the film before the book and so maybe it was skewed for me. I do love the film though, think JN is perfect for the part and billy makes me cry every time. I know the book is utterly iconic and it is brilliantly written. I think I just connect more on an emotional level with the film version of the story.

Thredworm · 23/09/2009 21:13

Far From the Madding Crowd was good. Hardy seems to do well in films.

Monkeygirl69 · 23/09/2009 21:11

The Constant Gardener was good.

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BalloonSlayer · 23/09/2009 21:11

ooh don't apologise, I love a bit of debate!

I get so frustrated when people don't bother to read a book but sort of think they have because they have seen the film. It's not the sodding same, for the love of God!!

I get upset when people rave about Gone with the Wind. I think it's a pretty good attempt given the length of the book but I also feel it was so important that Scarlett had a child in each of her marriages, and to cut that out was a mistake. Even as a teenager, over a decade before I had children myself, her poor parenting of little Wade Hampton touched my heart and I felt very tender about the wee chap - only to find he didn't even feature in the film .

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LightShinesInTheDarkness · 23/09/2009 21:10

I am reading 'Remains of the Day' at the moment, so will check out the film.

I enjoyed the most recent 'Brideshead' film almost as much as the Antony Andrews TV version.

deepdarkwood · 23/09/2009 21:08

Fight Club is a great film. And a short book