Films BETTER than the book?

[FurrySlipperBoots]

I know it's extremely rare! Can you think of any? I just watched Esio Trot on Netflix and it's 1000% times better than the book, which bores the pants off me. I found it really sweet and well done - watched it right to the end, which is rare for me.

[TheRuralLife89]

Anything by Jane Austen. I like most of the classics but can't get on with Jane Austen's novels at all.
The films are a slight improvement on the books as they at least cut out some of the tedious detail.

[noblegiraffe]

Fight Club. The book was an incoherent mess, the film was amazing.

[Bluekeeker]

Train spotting book good but film fantastic

[ConnieDobbs]

The shining

[reprehensibleme]

Lovablequalities the remake is shite. Don't agree with the Austen hate - to me it's a rare adaptation that comes anywhere close to the subtly and humour of the books.

[HopeClearwater]

The English Patient - virtually unreadable God knows how they made such a magnificent film out of it.

Disagree with a pp about Brokeback Mountain. The short story is a masterpiece of writing. Basically punches you in the gut emotionally at the end.

[Chickoletta]

Bridget Jones’ Diary (the first one).

[Cakemonger]

Brooklyn

[TiptopJ]

Jurassic Park- I've read the book twice and can't really remember the plot

The godfather- the book was okay but had a very odd section with the Johnny Fontaine character in Vegas that was wisely missed out in the film

Forest gump- so so different to the book but imo much better

[RhubarbFairy]

The Shawshank Redemption
Stand By Me

Both are originally short stories (Stand By Me was called The Body) so the films have more detail.

On the Stephen King theme, The Green Mile is pretty much word for word the same as the book. I couldn't say which was better actually because the film is so true to the book.

Not a film but Wicked the Musical. I hated the book, I still disliked the story during the play, but at least I got to see amazing costumes, sets and dances.

[nocutsnobuttsnococonuts]

Not a film but the vampire diaries series was better than the books.

World War z - film brilliant but couldn't get on with the book.

And I agree with interview with a vampire was very well done. Just a shame queen of the dammed was soooo bad as I really enjoyed that book!

[tillytoodles1]

Gone With the Wind.

[IdblowJonSnow]

The Beach. The book has a disturbing lord of the flies ending, much preferred the positive ending in the film. Plus Leo di Caprio was absolutely stunning then (even though his character was a dick).

[AnneLovesGilbert]

@tillytoodles1

Gone With the Wind.

Yes indeed. Good choice.

[AnneLovesGilbert]

World War z - film brilliant but couldn't get on with the book.

The book is incredible. I’d urge you to try it again but I loathed every second of the film

[AtomHeartMotherOfGod]

In a similar vein to the previously mentioned The Beach, I think the film of Stardust is happier and better than the book.

Lord of the Rings is my favourite book; it's loads better than the films. So much more subtle - call it waffle if you like though

[Cattenberg]

The Bridges of Madison County

[mrwalkensir]

The Dogs of War. Was disappointed reading Forsyth's book that the lead Shannon is your stereotypical chain-smoking hard man. The film is much more rounded, probably as Walken post-Deer Hunter

[TheMarzipanDildo]

@reprehensibleme

Lovablequalities the remake is shite. Don't agree with the Austen hate - to me it's a rare adaptation that comes anywhere close to the subtly and humour of the books.

Agreed.

[nomorehiccups]

Strongly disagree with world war Z.

[nomorehiccups]

War of the worlds - Tom cruise version

[MsAmerica]

Angels & Insects!

And, yes, The Graduate.

[Icantreachthepretzels]

I think the film of Stardust is happier and better than the book

I came on to say Stardust - absolutely love that film, the book was OK, better than other Gaiman I've read but nothing amazing.

The Wizard of Oz
and the Disney cartoons of the Sword in the Stone and The Jungle Book. And actually - Peter Pan as well. The book's a bit weird.

[Pyewackect]

Fever Pitch is the only one I can think of.

[TyneTeas]

Summer of my German Soldier