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Films that were better than the book

78 replies

SlightlyJaded · 09/03/2015 18:05

Not many spring to mind. The book is ALWAYS better - that's the rules.

The few exceptions that I can think of are:

Brokeback Mountain (book was fucking tedious to be fair)
The Ice Storm (brilliant book but even better film)
The Shawshank Redemption ( I actually really enjoyed the short story that was 'Rita Haywarth and the Shawshank Redemption but I think the book took it to the next level).

Apparently 'Fight Club' was also a book first. Never read it but I assume the film is better mainly as Brad wasn't in the book.

But I can't really think of any others? Any more for any more?

OP posts:
WiIdfire · 09/03/2015 22:30

Jurassic Park - the special effects just aren't that impressive in the book.

City of Ember - the only book I've read where there is LESS detail and plot in the book than in the film.

Otherwise, you are quite correct, the book is ALWAYS better than the film.

RedCrayons · 09/03/2015 23:04

Not a film, but TV series - North and South. The book is a bit heavy going, all kind of worthy. The TV show features Richard Armitage.

And let's face it Oliver Twist was much improved with the addition of some tunes High five to that!

PtraciDjelibeybi · 09/03/2015 23:09

I watched the Virgin Suicides when it came out and thought it was really good. Many years later I read the book and thought it was dire. But that could have been that my tastes had changed over the intervening years. I keep meaning to watch and read them again so I can decide...

Tanfastic · 09/03/2015 23:09

Bridget Jones's Diary - the book was tedious. Loved the film.

50 shades of Grey. The book was terrible (I know a lot won't agree) but the film was watchable.

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SlightlyJaded · 09/03/2015 23:17

Oh I've just thought of another - 'Never Let Me Go'

Dangerous Liaisons was brilliant but I have never read the book. I can still hear John Malcovitch saying "It's beyond my control"

And YY to 'Atonement'. I still feel a bit ragey just thinking about the end of the book,

OP posts:
Takver · 10/03/2015 08:02

I found Les Liaisons about as gripping as you'd expect for a four volume book written in letters in 1782. . .

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 10/03/2015 08:15

The Wizard of Oz. The film just works well, the books (especially later ones) get a bit weird when you read them as an adult.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/03/2015 20:00

Yes to, 'The Princess Bride' and 'Jaws.'

Yika · 10/03/2015 20:03

I thought Schindler's List was better than the book. Both pretty harrowing though.

PresidentTwonk · 10/03/2015 20:03

Silence of the lambs

HughHonour · 10/03/2015 20:05

One flew over the Cuckoo's nest - Jack Nicholson

DioneTheDiabolist · 10/03/2015 20:09

I came on to say Dangerous Liaisons, but I see some other MNetters beat me to it. Hope you guys got further into the book than I did.Blush

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 10/03/2015 20:18

Surprised no one's mentioned this already - Gone With The Wind. Thoroughly enjoyed both and the casting for every single notable character was spot on.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 10/03/2015 20:21

Endoplasmic and Remus Really? Sad The Princess Bride was the next kindle do dah I was going to buy - not sure if I should bother now and get All Creatures Great and Small/I'm having a rose tinted countryside living phase

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/03/2015 20:27

No, it is worth a read so don't be put off - put the film is even better.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 10/03/2015 20:39

Thanks Remus Thanks

"But the film is even better"

Yes, I had a niggling feeling it was melts into Cary Elwes blue blue eyes Grin

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/03/2015 20:41

No, no - Ignio Montoya's brown eyes are the eyes that do it for me!

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 10/03/2015 20:55

You just reminded me, I'd recently read on buzzfeed on of those xx facts you didn't know about Princess Bride found it here and got really upset when I'd about Mandy Patikin (fact number 9) - I just knew there was something very emotional about his performance I couldn't place and read further about his grief for his father's death and how it had influenced him during filming.

I haven't watched the film since I found out and I'm not sure I can now Sad

Flipchart · 11/03/2015 15:11

We need to talk about Kevin (only just though, the film wasn't that great)

The 100 year old man ( who climbed out of a window and disappeared)
The film kept my interest, the book bored me.

ThatBloodyWoman · 11/03/2015 15:14

The Road.
Children of Men

Flipchart · 11/03/2015 15:44

Barney''s version.

I still cry when Barneys dementia is so advanced he forgets that the children are long grown up and he is divorced and asks his ex wife why she is criying. Gets me everytime!

Thurlow · 11/03/2015 15:50

Definitely The Princess Bride (if only because that is one of the funniest films ever made).

Also Gone, Baby, Gone - it's a good book, but a surprisingly great film.

realhousewifeoffitzrovia · 16/03/2015 13:43

Room with a View!

TwinkieTwinkle · 17/03/2015 10:47

P.s I Love You. Not an amazing film but a shed load better than the book.

GiantGaspingSatanicCyst · 17/03/2015 16:47

Mercedes I came on here to say Stardust. Thought the book was shite, really love the film.

However, I have read Les Liaisons Dangereuse several times and loved it! Film is also ace, win win.

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