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Original poster

Name a film that's better than the book

221 replies

pamplemoussemousse · 08/08/2023 20:01

Off the back of a discussion with DH where we can't think of any, is there a film adaptation (or tv adaptation) that's better than the original book?

I can think of some that are on par (Wolf of Wall Street, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, for example) but none where the screenplay was better!

I'm happy to read/watch any suggestions!

OP posts:
museumum · 08/08/2023 20:18

Any book written by Philip k Dick. Great ideas but crap writer.
blade runner
minority report
total recall
sure there are more…

caramacyears · 08/08/2023 20:18

Bladerunner

TheLeadbetterLife · 08/08/2023 20:19

Both versions of House of Cards (well, the Netflix one ran out of steam after three series). The book is naff.

Buffysoldersister · 08/08/2023 20:22

Agree with LOTR, couldn't finish the book because of all the rambling back stories but the films were great.

Also My Sister's keeper, because I thought the book ending was terrible and the film ends differently (the way I would have written it)

PeskyRooks · 08/08/2023 20:25

Coraline

arethereanyleftatall · 08/08/2023 20:26

Bridget Jones

PurpleBugz · 08/08/2023 20:27

MorganSeventh · 08/08/2023 20:17

The Bourne films. They're completely different from the books, other than the main character's name, but much better.

Bladerunner. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep is pretty much incoherent - like a lot of Philip K Dick's work IMO.

I would also say Lord of the Rings, if only for cutting the tedious Tom Bombadil section out, but that might be controversial amongst Tolkein purists...

Tom bombadell is ugh. I fully agree

Halo8 · 08/08/2023 20:28

Bladerunner
LOTR
Fight Club

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 08/08/2023 20:28

MaisyMary77 · 08/08/2023 20:12

The Shining
Shawshank Redemption
Girl with a Pearl Earing

Oh my God, yes, The Shawshank Redemption. That film surpassed the original text by orders of magnitude!

Kindofcrunchy · 08/08/2023 20:29

TheSummerITurnedChubby · 08/08/2023 20:14

Bridget Jones’ Diary

Oh hell no. Have you even read the book?!

Original poster
pamplemoussemousse · 08/08/2023 20:30

@Buffysoldersister I know we all preferred the movie ending but the book ending... hit harder.

OP posts:
AllOfThemWitches · 08/08/2023 20:30

The Wicker Man is loosely based on the book 'Ritual,' does that count? Both are good but the film is far superior.

DontYouThreatenMeWithADeadFish · 08/08/2023 20:30

Shawshank redemption
Stand by me
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Apocalypse Now

Butteredtoast55 · 08/08/2023 20:31

Blade Runner

Original poster
pamplemoussemousse · 08/08/2023 20:31

TheSummerITurnedChubby · 08/08/2023 20:14

Bridget Jones’ Diary

While I love the movies in their own right... no the books are better!

OP posts:
tootrueblue · 08/08/2023 20:31

byronicheroine · 08/08/2023 20:05

Atonement

I came on to say this. I found the book hard going but loved the film

Butteredtoast55 · 08/08/2023 20:31

Ha! @DontYouThreatenMeWithADeadFish great minds think alike!

ButtonSister · 08/08/2023 20:33

Orlando. Such a visual story so worked better on the screen.

ramonaquimby · 08/08/2023 20:34

Atonement.

MattBerrysToupee · 08/08/2023 20:34

whatabeautifulwedding · 08/08/2023 20:02

The Fault In Our Stars

Noooooooo!!!!!

MattBerrysToupee · 08/08/2023 20:34

Mummy2022FT · 08/08/2023 20:06

Game of Thrones

Yes x100.

jays · 08/08/2023 20:35

AvidMerrian · 08/08/2023 20:03

Jaws.

totally agree!

GoodChat · 08/08/2023 20:35

Gone Girl

Soubriquet · 08/08/2023 20:36

TheSummerITurnedChubby · 08/08/2023 20:14

Bridget Jones’ Diary

First film I immediately thought of

Lightningspeed · 08/08/2023 20:36

Jurassic park

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