Books turned into films... which one does it for you, and which one makes you wanna throw the book into the cinema screen?

[ELF1981]

I have always had an issue with books that are then created into a film / tv show.

Brigit Jones Diary - bloody loathed the film, whereas the book is one of my faves. Now they're making a third based on the newspaper series.

Watermelon was made into a tv show, so far off the book it was untrue.

My mum is always disappointed with the Potter films.

I just wondered if anybody has seen any really good remakes of books, or are they all rubbish?

Remains of the Day is one of my favourite books and I found the film really moving too. Emma Thompson's adaptation of Sense and Sensibility is gorgeous.

For me, the worst movie adaptation from book - 'French Liutenant's Woman'.
And the film that exceeded the book or rather story - 'Brokeback Mountain'

Well, I havent read the Green Mile, but I thought the film was good.

I read Sleeping With the Enemy after seeing the film, but thought the book was better.

Catch-22.
One of the best books I've ever read.
One of the worst films I've ever seen.

30 years later I can still get annoyed about it.

Breakfast at Tiffany's. WTF?!?! They totally changed the plot, and made it completely unbelievable.

I can stand The Accidental Tourist. And I like the book, too.

I thought the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe was adapted beautifully in to the recent film.
CAptain Correlli was appalling, Nicholas Cage was so badly cast.

My family dont understand why I get so mad. especially after the whole Diary incident with people saying "I'm so like Brigit" and me saying "BUT THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN THE BOOK!"

Hmmm, will have to let Sense and Sensibility slide as I rather like that film.

I have not watched TLTW&TW yet because it was one of my fave books growing up and I think I'd cry if it was wrong!

I thought the film of Memoirs of a Geisha was so disappointing.

The book was great but they missed out loads of the story in the film

Elf it was just how i pictured it in my minds eye!

I will have to have a look at it then

thought Talented Mr Ripley was OK as a film

I prefer the film version of The Shining, which is strange as usually the book is much better than the film. [although it is a good book}

I loved the book and film of memoirs of a geisha. There was a lot in the book that was hard to translate into a film effectively I thought. Book was better but still thought the film was amazing.

i love stephen king but most of the films are rubbish except the shawshank redemption and green mile which still make me cry - (i'm on my second copy of green mile )

Being a huge (albeit quietly!) Harry Potter fan the films are not as good as the books but still enjoyable!

Does anyone know how the film Perfume measures up to the book? I enjoyed the book.

There are loads of books that I read which I think would make a good film, and there are a select few which I think I'd be gutted if they made into a film!

Possession. Loved the book. And, suprisingly, loved the film. IIRC, nothing annoyed me about its adaptation.

And i'd second Brokeback Mountain.

Did you read all the poetry, Mustrunmore?
If so, I salute you!

I only just read Sense & Sensibility, so watched the video, & thought it appallingly miscast, it really grated, everyone seemed to be the wrong age & nothing like I'd imagined.
I'd thought it ok before reading the book.

The Godfather is the classic "film exceeds book" phenomenon - I haven't read the book but apparently it is pants.

Bridget Jones - quite agree, hated the film, have never seen the sequel.

S&S - yes, the ages are wrong, basically to accommodate Emma T being in it, which I am prepared to accept. I love the film, I love the book.

I didn't enjoy the film The Devil Wears Prada, but I did the book.

Lionheart, actually I did But I'm not really a poetry person TBH (so I suppose that means even more brownie points for effort!) Its the kind of book/film that really makes you feel satisfied with it in itself, but then very dissatisfied with real life.

The English Patient & Fight Club both work for me as books AND films (although experiences of reading & viewing very different - esp for Fight Club)

Really really disliked Madam Doubtfire. Just so sacharine, which is not Anne Fine at all. The BBC version of Goggle Eyes was lovely though (I'd like to see that again). Nanny MacPhee was quite a good retelling of Nurse Matilda, and I think the film of TLTW&TW probably is better than the book (mainly because the language in the books is very archaic now).