Have you ever read the book and then seen the film

[Bunty55]

and been so disappointed with the way they completely changed the narrative ?

Not only that.. but then the miscasting of the actors obviously chosen for their fame and not their suitability ruining the picture you have in your head and the story ?

DH won’t watch a film with me anymore if I’ve read the book. I don’t blame him either.

And I ruined the musical Wicked - how they got from the book to that, I don’t know. I felt cheated out of the ticket price. It’s a good musical but it has nothing in common with the book except the names of the characters.

The Shawshank Redemption is the exception to the rule imo.

I have to disagree about the Constant Gardener - the film was meh but the book had such complex layers.

However I love watching an enjoyable film and then realising that it’s based on a book - because in the majority of cases it adds depth and character to the story you already know. It’s much better that way round.

I’d love to direct a film adaptation or even a Shakespearean play - it’s fascinating to think about what you would keep, cut and how to create certain moods. I’m sure there’d be lots of ranting.

John Grisham had a conversation with Jodi Picoult on his podcast Book Tour where she talked about the change to the ending of My Sisters Keeper. Funny and infuriating if anyone wants a listen

podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/first-stop-northshire-books-manchester-center-vt-with/id1244579552?i=1000519275393

I totally agree about Pet Sematary. But I think it might be unfilmable, ultimately, because the true horror of it is in the ambiguity. (Trying to be circumspect here so as not to give away the plot to anyone who hasn't read it yet.)

OK here's a biggy.

The Wizard of Oz.

I wonder how many people have been put off watching because of that 1930s abomination?

I love the Little Women adaptation with Susan Sarandon and Winona Rider.

loathed the recent one. It wasn’t the book! The “additions” were so intrusive and not at all true to the published work.

have never managed to read Dr Zhivago, but adore the film.

best ever adaptation was the Megan Followes Anne of Green Gables.

Yes I don’t think I’ve ever seen a film based on a book that’s been good. Like someone upthread said Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher is ridiculous. I don’t watch films or T V series of my favourite books anymore as it ruins them as I find it harder to ‘see’ what it looks like in my own head if I’ve seen it in action.

I preferred the film version of Sophie’s Choice to the book, but I saw the film before reading the book and I was young at the time. Might have to re-read the book now I’m older.

I was so excited about the BBC adaptation of Malory Towers. What a disappointment!

'Chocolat' by Joanne Harris was the reason I started the thread. So many things.. complete changing of the story and so many good actors who should not have been in the film at all... Johnny Depp and Judi Dench.. NO !

Recently watched (again) 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' and the storyline which was about as strong and distressing as could possibly be was destroyed for me by the way it was unnecessarily changed. Tnd the boy who played the main character was just not believable. I found myself thinking no eight year old child would behave like that and it detracted from the story and annoyed me

I remember as a teenager being really excited at the release of Pet Cemetery (the original, not the equally poor remake) and my utter disappointment when I realised what a complete mess they had made of my favourite book.

Lesson learned, go in expecting movies from books to be awful and I'm rarely disappointed.

@Bluueberrryy Jed was the character they removed from The Beach. A main character, as a PP said. And the best character! He was the main character's best friend at the beach.

yes - The Beach, the film is very different

Room was a great book but the film was a bit disappointing:

I agree, it made no sense to move the location to the US. In London its plausible to see into people's gardens/windows.

In the film she would have to have binoculars for eyes to see into people in those huge gardens and homes while on a moving train.

50 Shades

As others have said, Captain Correlli’s Mandolin. Absolutely loved the book but the film was awful.

The only films in my opinion that have been good adaptations of the books are The Kite Runner and Life of Pi

To be fair to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, the book is a pile of unbelievable shite. Unfortunately the film is worse.

The most egregious example I can think of is Billie Piper as Fanny Price.

Yes, that Billie Piper.

Yes, that Fanny Price.

It was exactly as bad as you might think (and BP is a talented actor, not her fault at all).

Yep. Goodnight Mr Tom, the book is very good. The film is awful.

Just scrolling to find ref to the Beach. I absolutely loved the book. I mean read it while walking to work type loved it.

Film was ok in isolation. But massively irritating if you had read the book. And Leo as lead? I love Leo, but no, not for this!!

Oh also - a little princess

i was horrified aged 10 when they set it in the US

I hated the Harry potter movies. Totally ruined the books, can never understand people liking them. There were some good/funny moments though and I can enjoy watching them, but they feel like incomplete illustrations.

Just recently watched Divergent and I really liked it! There were some weird or confusing moments but in general it really fit what I'd imagined when reading. It's been ages since I read the book though.

Golden compass was absolutely awful, the makers of it clearly didn't understand the British class system and how Lyra failed to fit neatly into it so she was cast terribly. I like the TV adaptation though.

Holes is a brilliant adaptation.

I get teeth-gnashingly angry when I think of the abomination that was Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Fucking Nic Cage as the Captain, and writing out Carlo completely!!! Genuinely makes me furious.

I might need to get a life.

Drive My Car by Murakami. The film was incredibly beautiful and faithful to the short story.
The Kite Runner also.

Every single time...

with one exception...

Peter Jackson was the editor JR Tolkien needed.