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!

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g

wow! 4x no to disagree with my opinion! That’s strong, considering how good is the movie.
I will have to watch the series though, maybe you’re right.

Jonh Le carre stories are so good with complexity in both plot and characters, what I think it makes them a perfect screenplay as all ingredients are there.

I also enjoyed very much the Night Manager.

Gone Girl - I couldn't stand the characters in th book so really struggled to get into it. I thought the film was so much better.

Do you read screenplays? I like to read screenplays. I know some screenplays that were better than the film.

I don't think a film can do a good book justice, but I don't rate Tom Green at all.

There is a book by Paul Auster, a short story, called The Music of Chance.

The film was a straight copy for dialogue and scenes. It stars Mandy Patinkin and James Spader and it's an absolute masterpiece.

Mr Gasp suggests The Third Man. I can't remember whether I've read the Graham Greene short story on which the film is based, but the film is a masterpiece, so I'm sure he's right.

Phantom of the opera is one. Musical and the film are better than the book

I think the book of the Third Man was written after Graham Greene had written to screenplay which was based on a story idea he had come up with years before but never developed. There are quite a few differences, including the ending, and some character names and backgrounds. The film is vastly superior and has one of the greatest closing scenes in cinematic history (I may be exaggerating but I do love it).

Not sure if it's better, but the Netflix adaptation of You is on par with the book. First two seasons anyway.

@ChiefWiggumsBoy Have to disagree about Children of Men. The book showed a sense of humour and good character development. The film just fell flat for me.

Most of the Beeb adaptations of Le Carre are excellent. I think they do translate well to the small screen.

Radio 4 also did a great series of radio adaptations of the Karla Trilogy, with Simon Russell-Beale. They may be on Sounds (or elsewhere) - also worth a listen.

I agree about the Radio 4 adaptations. I'd forgotten those, would be great to listen again.

The only Le Carre adaptation I've ever seen that was disappointing is the film of A Looking-Glass War. Almost nobody will have heard of it, let alone seen it. There's a reason for that - it's not very good. The book, however, is another top notch read, although not one of his better known ones.

I feel they're on par if I'm honest. Both equally brilliant but I separate them from each other

(in) the name of the rose

I don't James M Cain pretended to write anything other than lurid, cheap pulp fiction. He was just very lucky that some excellent movies like "Double Indemnity", "Mildred Pierce" and "The Postman Always Rings Twice" were based on his plot. Even "Body Heat" was a quality rehash of the basic plot of DI.

I love Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford one): the hysterics, flouncing and melodrama were wonderful and hugely entertaining.

@nettie434 Sorry. My James M Cain comment was directed to you. For some reason - my stupidity? - your quote to which I linked didn't show up.

No way! The book is amazing. The TV series was good, but the book has so much more depth and sly humour.

Definitely.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Wonderboys

Thanks @Tezza1. Yes! There were some amazing scriptwriters then who could transform what were quite average books. I have only seen Mildred Pierce once but I remember it being wonderful.

I much preferred the TV series of Inspector Montalbano. I didn't get in so well with the books. Excellent adaptation. I think the author Andrea Camilleri was heavily involved in the TV series. Not sure if that helped.

I came to say this too, it was set in Chicago instead of London but worked really well.

Also Red, White and Royal Blue which cut out some of the unnecessary characters (but should have left in the sub plot about the gay senator and the opposition presidential candidate and the hacking). They corrected some of the misconceptions that the author had about the Royals and the UK in general (eg cucumber sandwiches at a royal wedding).