What’s the worst book to film/tv adaption you’ve seen?

[Soubriquet]

Mine is Miss Peregrines home for peculiar children.

In the book, Emma controls fire. She’s sassy, strong, stands up for herself and calls out peoples shit.

In the film, she is lighter than air and defers to her male costar. I was really disappointed by this film

I've recently had a new bookshelf so all my previously hidden behind other books are back on show and I've promised myself I am going to read them again this year

Well I had no idea that Don't look now was written by Daphne du Maurier. I saw it when it came out in the 70's. I thought it was a great film, but sometimes rewatching things ruins it. I know it was recently on BBC, but I missed it.

To be fair Misery was not too bad thanks to Kathy Bates performance (although they did soften down the ankle scene - book is worse).

The Shining just skimmed over the surface of the book and Christine should never had been made. Carrie was OK.

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was a tragedy. Nicolas Cage sounding like he was in a Dolmio ad, he had absolutely zero allure or chemistry with Penelope Cruz.

The recent Netflix Persuasion was also dreadful, although I did like how they casted Anne’s family.

On the other side of the coin, the adaption of Bridgerton has been amazing to see. To be able to market a set of mediocre historical romance books (I read them as a student) into such a successful tv franchise was remarkable. It’s not exactly The Sopranos when it comes to quality, but how they’ve casted it, cut out the bits that dragged and created a very purposeful aesthetic with styling etc. makes it a great adaption of the OG work.

Totally agree. The film was bilge

The film adaptation of I don’t know how she does it annoyed me. The book is about a British woman, living in England. Quite often going on work trips abroad including to the United States. Film was set in the United States and changed it a lot.

Can I add my sister's keeper and the horse whisperer to the list?
Both had completely different endings that made a nonsense of the story...

The Little Drummer Girl (film).

The main character was a young woman (26). It starred Diane Keaton who was 38. I loved the book. Couldn't watch the film.

The recent TV adaptation had a much better cast.

Oh yes, totally agree. Alan Ritchson from the series is way more fitting as reacher

The book thief!
Absolutely beautiful brilliant book. The film was utter gash-so disappointing!

K0OLA1D oooh new bookshelf sounds good.

My copies of The Tower were tatty charity shop buys in the late 80s (when i read them) and having moved with me 5 times are now soooo tatty chunks of pages fall out when you pick them up. Maybe i should get some new copies and re-read them ... is anything ever as good as when you're 15 .... ? <wistful>

Re: Christine, mentioned upthread, same applies.

I found Bridgerton literally unreadable but loved the TV series.

See also The Godfather, Jaws, The Thing, The Shining. Mediocre books, great movies.

Good night Mr Tom
Chocolat

Harry Potter. The films were so compressed that I had to explain plot hole lines to husband.
I loved them for seeing Hogwarts and other locations but that was it. Thought Daniel Radcliffe very wooden.

🤯 🤯 🤯 🤯
I LOVED GMT. What l didn't you like??

I quite like Goodnight, Mister Tom but the boy who played William is really weak compared to the rest of the cast.

Rebecca and the birds are both excellent films

Jurassic Park, it took all of the bite out of it 😂 sorry…
It was far too nice (assume to increase box office takings with younger viewers). It would have been far improved as an 18+ more true to the book.

Gone With The Wind. I know the film was a product of the period, and it would also have needed to be three times as long to do justice to the book, but I’d still like to see it attempted.

I wasn't keen on The Casual Vacancy.

It's a fairly gritty storyline, with a tragic ending. Which they massacred.

I don't want to post any spoilers, so i won't say any more about it here.

I'm just so glad that the Strike adaptation is perfect.

My Kings have their own shelves now! I am missing 2 of the Tower books, which I think are around my mums!

I agree. In the DVD commentary, the director said something about making the story more international. In reality, they watered the story down and changed the identity of the villain, presumably to avoid alienating Christian viewers in the US.

He was a terrible HP

All the child actors were poor. All the adult actors were too old. I also think they should have waited until the books were done before making the film and then maybe they wouldn't have missed key info.

Wuthering Heights with Tom Hardy in.

I read somewhere that HP was going to be played by the kid who did 6th sense. But then someone was matey with DRs parents and he got it.

(could well be bollocks)