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.

@tillytoodles1

Gone With the Wind.

Oh no I disagree, I read the book for the first time during lockdown and whilst the film is pretty faithful I felt much more detail in the book. But the film did add the word ‘frankly’ which is maybe the most famous use of the word ever.

The Talented Mr Ripley (I know Highsmith fans will think this sacrilegious)

The 1974 film of Murder on the Orient Express.

Those I don't agree with above - The Beach (I thought the film was sanitised and twee) and anything by Jane Austen (some film versions are good but I love Austen's prose).

Mrs Doubtfire
It’s a children’s book - read in primary school and it’s just awful

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Although a comparison is perhaps unfair as the original was a short story rather than a novel and it simply sets out to describe the odd happening rather than exploring the emotions of Benjamin and those around him.

Ooo, another one I've thought of - Stuart Little. The first film anyway, the second is still creepy AF, but what's with the book? She gives birth to a mouse?!

Evil Under The Sun - the Peter Ustinov version.

@StellaAndCrow

Evil Under The Sun - the Peter Ustinov version.

Ustinov was nothing like Poirot as written but that was a very enjoyable version of the story. Helped by a stellar cast on top form. I liked Ustinov in Death on the Nile too.

Agatha Christie hated the Margaret Rutherford/Miss Marple versions of her books but I love them. I wouldn't say they are 'better' than the books though.

My contribution - Hitchcock's version of The 39 Steps.

Betty Blue

Omg Peter Pan is a beautiful book, Disney just shat all over it, as it tends to do.

Jurassic Park - the book is a very good read, but the film is a masterpiece (not any of the sequels though).

Not a film, but House of Cards - either version. The book is just a naff holiday read really.

The Talented Mr Ripley (I know Highsmith fans will think this sacrilegious)

this was the first one that popped into my head. The ending in particular I thought was better - so clever to change it to Marge's point of view rather than Ripley's as it made it much more charged/emotional, though chilling too. I think it also helps that the performances were so amazing, especially Matt Damon. so the characters came alive. Also, Highsmith is a wonderful writer but not that descriptive so seeing the wonderful European settings gave it more of a richness.

the english patient
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anything by Jane Austen (some film versions are good but I love Austen's prose).

agree. I think of the films as something different though - the visual feast of the balls etc can be brought out better and when they are well cast the actors can sometimes really bring out the humour.

Jaws

Not a film but Game of Thrones. The books were good, but the TV series was so much better.

Jurassic Park is a great movie, it's different from the book but I think they are both really good in their own right.

I never normally rate screen adaptations of books, but these stand out for me.

Call me by your name.

I loved the book too, but the scenery, the music and the hearing the languages in the film is stunning.
Shame about Armie Hammer but I watched it before anything was known about him.

Every John Grisham

Agree with Game of Thrones (though not a film). I really dislike George R.R. Martin's writing but absolutely adored the series.

Also agree about Austen. Still don't love the films, but they're certainly less tedious than the books.
English Patient - quite liked the book, but love the film.
Don't agree about LotR, as I'm a die-hard fan of the books, but they do have their flaws and I can see why some people would prefer the films!

The Graduate

@TimeToLose8

Girl on the Train. Much better

Absolutely disagree with this. Good book, shockingly bad movie!

I've tried to read The Hobbit and LOTR and given up, but I love the films.

The Martian! Slightly confusing book, good film

Girl on the Train : I thought the book was much better too.

Who the hell said Gone With The Wind?
The book is an epic masterpiece.

I preferred the film of The Painted Veil to the book, because the protagonists learned to love each other.

The Shining
Empire of the Sun
Stardust
Coralline
The Reader
The Night Watch. Although the book is excellent I thought the film had a bit more upbeat ending.