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Any film adaptations that are better than the books?

118 replies

Walkthroughthefire · 11/01/2016 16:26

I know it's a very rare case but have you ever thought a film as better than the book it was based on. Controversial, I know.

I've always thought Breakfast at Tiffany's was better and more recently, the Hunger Games.

I feel like I had another but I'm drawing a blank just now.

OP posts:
WestRyderPauperLunatic · 11/01/2016 19:18

Twilight films - you don't get all of Bella's whiny interior monologue.

Forrest Gump - not necessarily better but very different. In the film he's a sweet character, in the book he's kind of a dick - him and Lieutenant Dan just sit around getting stoned all the time - and Jenny gets fed up and leaves (she doesn't have HIV/AIDS).

hollowlegs · 11/01/2016 19:20

JAWS!

A million times better than the book.
In fact, if ever you want a good laugh, read the book - it's nothing like the film.

misskelly · 11/01/2016 19:22

The Prestige is an excellent film but I recommend you never read the book, not surprisingly (if you've had the misfortune to read it) the story in the film is different and it's all for the better.

minionwithdms · 11/01/2016 19:22

A Single Man - the book is good but the film is absolutely gorgeous, a really beautiful piece of cinema.

ReturnofSaturn · 11/01/2016 19:22

I came on to say The Godfather.

ReturnofSaturn · 11/01/2016 19:24

Can't believe someone has said Dracula though Shock quite possibly my favourite book of all time

HoneyDragon · 11/01/2016 19:26

Shrek Grin without doubt, is vastly better than the book

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 11/01/2016 19:32

Even more shocked anyone would say Dracula and Frankenstien!!! Both excellent books. The films were ok, well 'Mary Shelleys Frankenstein' (the Kenneth Branagh one) was pretty good and closest to the book.

Dracula was good, but the book a million times better.

Have to agree with The Shining though!

wednesdaysocks · 11/01/2016 19:38

How to Train Your Dragon- I really enjoyed the film and saw it before I read the book and I was really looking forward to reading it with DS. I was really disappointed and it wasn't what I expected at all after seeing the film.

FlysInDreams · 11/01/2016 19:40

I disagree about The Shining and LOTR. However I saw Stardust before I read it and prefer the film, and similarly with The Princess Bride.

villainousbroodmare · 11/01/2016 19:50

Haven't rtft but the HBO series True Blood is infinitely better than the books.

magimedi · 11/01/2016 19:52

Day of the Jackal - great book but an amazing film, really packed in the action whilst the book is a bit slower.

frikadela01 · 11/01/2016 19:58

Agree with others saying LOTR. Tolkien crested an amazingly detailed and beautiful world but ultimately I felt no connection to the characters in the book. I didn't give a damn about the ring being destroyed when I read the book. The film otoh has me shouting and getting emotional everytime I watch samwise say "let's be rid of it" on the slopes of Mount doom and carries Frodo up. Love it.

dratsea · 11/01/2016 20:12

2001 Space Odyssey but for half of the film there is no dialogue, and in a further quarter it is with the computer.

MorrisZapp · 11/01/2016 20:17

Not a film but Sex and the City TV series was inspired by a book of the same name.

Biggest. Disappointment. Ever.

MorrisZapp · 11/01/2016 20:19

Then the egomaniac Candace Bushnell wrote something else, 4 Blondes? Fucking garbage.

LomboDePorco · 11/01/2016 20:27

Last of the Mohicans.
Beautiful film, but I couldn't read more than a few chapters (and I always finish books.)

bertsdinner · 11/01/2016 20:27

Never Let Me Go, I found the film haunting, but struggled to get into the book.
I thought the book and the film of The Shining were equally as good. I really enjoyed the book and the film has a real feeling of oppression and menace to it.

MaybeDoctor · 11/01/2016 20:32

TV, not film - but I thought that 'Death comes to Pembeley' BBC wasn't bad at all. Was very disappointed when I then read the book.

mrsgumpy · 11/01/2016 20:36

English Patient.

FrancesHB · 11/01/2016 20:37

Agree with Still Alice.

I think the film of We Need To Talk About Kevin is stunning and for me, massively surpassed the book.

ShamefulPlaceMarker · 11/01/2016 20:37

Not sure if they we necessarilly better, but I have read & seen the Kite Runner, Boy in Striped Pyjamas & The book Thief. All fantastic books and fantastic films.

ShamefulPlaceMarker · 11/01/2016 20:42

*Today 20:27 bertsdinner

Never Let Me Go, I found the film haunting, but struggled to get into the book.
I thought the book and the film of The Shining were equally as good. I really enjoyed the book and the film has a real feeling of oppression and menace to it.*

I've read Never Let Me Go. Thought it was a great book. I never knew there was a film!... Off to find :)

ByThePrickingOfMyThumbs · 11/01/2016 20:45

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest.

Lucked · 11/01/2016 20:59

Dangerous Liasons. The film has it's faults (Keanu in a period film Grin ) but it's interesting and fun. I have never managed to wade through the book.