Name a film that's better than the book

[pamplemoussemousse]

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!

Must agree. "Bonfire of the Vanities" was a great book: movie dire. However, Tom Wolfe's "The right stuff" was a great book and movie. The film had a perfect gee whizz, satirical feel to it.

Loads of films made from Stephen King novels. He is a brilliant plotter but his prose style is very clunky.

Too many bad sex scenes. Not enough shark.

That should be the blurb on the back cover. 🤣🤣

You beat me to it.

Not a film but: Killing Eve
I tried the author's other work, #panic, wasn't keen on that either.

I wouldn't say it's better, but I think the TV adaptation of the Time Travellers Wife has been done beautifully and I hope there's another season. I watched the first episode, which prompted me to re-read the book, and while the series starts to diverge in a number of ways, the basic feel of it feels very true to the book.

I have not read the book but I loved The Witcher on tv and it prompted me to try the book... but I just couldn't get into it. But not sure if that's because I was too into the TV version by then?

I feel like this usually happens when an actor is a great fit and really brings the character to life as a person you feel you know and can literally imagine meeting.

I would say maybe American Psycho although I did love the book too.

Cat in a Hit Tin Roof starring the magnificently beautiful young Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor 😍It's like watching two of the most beautiful people on Earth and Burl Ives is magnificent as Big Daddy as well. I absolutely love the movie ending over Tennessee Williams' play's ending. Although Tennessee William didn't approve of the film apparently, I thought it was better than his play.

A very controversial one and Patricia Highsmith fans will hate me, but The Talented Mr Ripley.

The 1970s version of Murder on the Orient Express.

Great Gatsby

The English Patient

I'm going to agree with LOTR. I read the books and endless pages of Ents singing or whatever were awful. Although Tolkien 's descriptions indeed probably made the films so good.
Bonfire of the Vanities film was great, book dreadful.
I'm also going to say Great Gatsby ( Robert Redford one).
And I know it's not a film, but Don't bother reading the Vampire diaries...🙄

Don’t agree with Roald Dahl and PL Travers - Mary Poppins. Love all of the books.

I would say the Parent Trap is better than the book - both the 60s and the 90s versions.

Also, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle stop cafe, although it was a shame that they didn’t specify the lesbian relationship between Idgie and Ruth.

No!!!!!

Agree

Ents singing. 😂😂😂

OMG in NO WAY is Great Gatsby the film better than the book. The one with Leo was barely watchable. Robert Redford was much better as Gatsby, but the book is magical.

Stephen Kings The Stand in the mini series with Gary Sinise was better than the book . There is a remade version, but I haven't seen it yet.

Had you read the book beforehand though? Because I watched it with dh who hadn't and he had no idea what was going on.

The Lovely Bones
Jaws
The Lord of the Rings
The Notebook
Romeo and Juliet
The Princess Bride
The Wizard of Oz

Sorry but we have to disagree. The shining is a terrifyingly fabulous read. The film is good but the book is much better

Misery

Ohh I live Tom Wolfe! I also lived his A Man in Full

Eh? What? Are you quite well?!?

Can I maybe controversially say war of the worlds?