OK we all agree that most film versions of books are crap but . . .

[BalloonSlayer]

which ones are good?

(sorry, expect this has been done before)

I am watching Jurassic Park on telly - posting in commercial break - and it dawned on me that it's the only example I have of: Loved the book, Loved the film.

Any others?

IMO middle-brow/genre books do well as films because the film can add something, whereas it can only take away from a true classic. I'd say that almost the definition of a classic book is that any filmed version will be disappointing, except that a film can take off and do something else as a companion to the book.

All The President's Men - the film is better than the book.

Jaws - the film is loads better than the book.

Haven't seen the film Short Cuts yet - I wasn't that impressed by the stories tbh, I think the film might be better.

I honestly had no idea she'd had kids (see, only seen the film!). But my god, to think that 'Wade' was ever in fashion!

hmm, I enjoyed both book & film of Short Cuts, but can't decide which is best

I love both the book and the film of The Princess Bride. Although, having said that, I'm not certain which one came first.

Oh yes, I agree re Short Cuts.

Brighton Rock is good, though they faffed with the ending and spoilt it a bit.

Heffa, re Princess Bride, book was first, written in 1973

The Shawshank Redemption is both a good (short) story & film

Having read Slumdog Millionaire I think it would be possibly be better as a film rather than a book. It's not often I think that and i'm yet to see the film so I may be wrong!

Hated Atonement and The Devil Wears Prada books, but can watch both films repeatedly.

Interview with a Vampire - loved the film, not the book couldn't finish it.

Twilight - loved this film too - haven't read the books

like monkeygirl loved Constant Gardener - the film . Can't get started on the book tho

Blade Runner
Sex and the City (not film I know but still better than book)
Dune (book and film good)
Harry Potter (books and films good)
Wuthering Heights (Laurence Olivier version)
I Robot (book and film good)
Surprisingly, quite a few really.

Princess Bride - yes: in fact, I think the film is better than the book.

Kiera Knightley's P&P - LOTS of people disagree with me on this though. I think it's fab, except for old whatshisname's teeth at the end.

Harry Potter - 1)2)4)5)6 all good - Prisoner of Azkaban was rubbish.

About A Boy - I think this is brilliant and v close to the book.

Of Mice And Men.

That brill Persuasion one. Kate Beckinsale's Emma (not the Gwynnie one, as that is a travesty).

The Shining. Superb movie in itself.

Revolutionary Road - fab film, classic book.