This week the film adaptation of Jodi Picoult's book My Sister's Keeper is coming out, and it made me think of my favorite adaptation films.

I love the film adaptation of Stephen King's Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption and Ang Lee's adaptation of Sense and Sensibility.
I think both are beautiful and unique adaptations that still remain true to the original story without a slave-like recitation of each scene and page.

Does anyone else have any favorites they'd like to share?

The film adaptation of Jose Saramago's Blindness was quite well done and I liked it at least as much as I liked the movie.

I love the movie version of The Thin Man.

The Last King of Scotland - not sure if it my favourite adaptation as I think the film is much better then the book.

Atonement - very good translation from book to film in fact so good I can't separate the two now and I read the book first.

The first two Harry Potters were quite true to the book although sometimes a bit clunky - I thought they were more loyal. Hermoine looked like Hermoine and Harry looked like Harry and didn't run around in Top man clothes or whatever they're called.

BBC's North and South (Gaskell) very good and their Pride and Prejudice (NOT the Knightley one which would have been good had they not NEEDLESSLY turned Bingley into an idiot and Mr. Bennett into a bumbling old farmer with a pig going through the house.)

The Da Vinci Code - film much more entertaining then the book!

Master and Commander - book was a lot different but I think the film kept the feeling and the essence.

Fiona wrote: "The Last King of Scotland - not sure if it my favourite adaptation as I think the film is much better then the book.

Atonement - very good translation from book to film in fact so good I can't sep..."

I also loved the Last King of Scotland. Forest Whitaker was awesome as Idi Amin. Of course, sometimes I get confused about being really interested in learning about a new topic and actually liking the book/film/program in question. That is the way I felt about The Kite Runner.

I also have to agree with you about BBC's Pride and Prejudice. It was 6 hrs or so long, but it certainly did justice to the book. I also hated the Keira Knightly P&P, too much kissing for Victorian England.

What was a shame with the 2004 P&P is that they actually did a good job and squishing it into 2 hours or whatever it was. The changes they did make I think could have been left out because they didn't add anything or convey story.

I thought "The Kite Runner" was very well done.

Also agree with "Shawshank", even though the book was a novella it didn't seem to miss anything out and it's very hard to say whether I prefer the book or the movie.

"Marley & Me" was also pretty good, a few bits where you got more of an insight in the book but overall a good adaptation.

"Blindness" indeed was good. I was wondering how they were going to make it appear on screen and must say my expectations weren't very high but they were met and went past them.

Merchant and Ivory 'The Wings of the Dove' and 'A Room with a View'. Exceptional, both with Helena Bonham Carter.

I agree about BBC P&P, even though I'm not terribly fond of the novel to begin with. It was very loyal though and Jennifer Ehle was delightful.

I haven't read it--YET--but I've seen the film of 'The Remains of the Day' and apparently it's especially loyal and just generally an exceptionally great film.

Mercant and Ivory all the way :)

I have to agree with Mandy. I loved reading The Kite Runner, and the film was just as good.

I have a long list, some already mentioned, but I'll list them anyway:

Shawshank Redemption
The Body or Stand By Me
Misery
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe A Novel
Brokeback Mountain
Terms of Endearment
Watchmen(even changing the ending, I was happy with it)
Sin City, Vol. 1 The Hard Goodbye(the movie only utilized 3 of the novels, so left room for another. Yay!!!)
Out of Africa
Planet of the Apes(only the original, not the crappy re-make)



And then there are a few mini-series I adore. I don't think these novels could have been squished into two hours, so the decision to make them a series was perfect.

Shogun
The Thorn Birds
North and South
North and South (yes, both!)
Roots

Slumdog Millionaire. I read the book Q&A a while ago, and it is nothing like as good as the film.

Epee, I've heard that it doesn't really relate to the film much. I watched the film not long ago, loved it, and thought I'd better wait a while to read the book but now I think I can just pick it up whenever I want knowing that it's not word for word the same.

I saw the film and really liked it and I was going to buy the book but wasn't sure whether to get Slumdog Millionaire or Q&A. Is there a difference?

I have Q&A and it says previously published as Slumdog Millionaire so I am hoping they are the same thing. Not sure if there is a book that follows more closely to the movie.

I adore the film versions of Out of Africa and Cold Mountain.

I saw Out of Africa for the first time when I was a kid, before I read the book. I saw Cold Mountain, however, after I'd read the book, and I have to admit, I felt a bit of trepidation reading that Jude Law had been cast as Inman and Nicole Kidman as Ada. Nothing against either J.L. or N.K. -- they're both great actors -- but I just couldn't see them as Inman and Ada.

Boy, was I wrong. They became Inman and Ada, and I have the film on DVD and have seen it numerous times. I cry each time I see it. Even the soundtrack... *sigh*. Incredible.

Jessica wrote: "BBC's North and South (Gaskell) very good and their Pride and Prejudice (NOT the Knightley one which would have been good had they not NEEDLESSLY turned Bingley into an idiot and Mr. Bennett into a bumbling old farmer with a pig going through the house.)"

I totally agree, about both versions of P&P. Also, in Keira Knightley's version, Elizabeth was VERY impertinent and cheecky with her parents, totally out of character. And Colin Firth was a superb Mr. Darcy.

Barbara wrote: "Jessica wrote: "BBC's North and South (Gaskell) very good and their Pride and Prejudice (NOT the Knightley one which would have been good had they not NEEDLESSLY turned Bingley into an idiot and Mr..."

I totally agree about Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I thought he was excellent. In fact, since then, I've been unnaturally devoted to Colin Firth and every silly movie he's been in.

Thomma wrote: "I adore the film versions of Out of Africa and Cold Mountain.

I saw Out of Africa for the first time when I was a kid, before I read the book. I saw Cold Mountain, however, after I'd read the boo..."

Did you enjoy Cold Mountain as a book? I read the whole thing, but never really got into it.

Jessica wrote: "I totally agree about Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I thought he was excellent. In fact, since then, I've been unnaturally devoted to Colin Firth and every silly movie he's been in."

Come on, that kind of devotion is NOT unnatural ;)
Have you seen the movie Genova? He's adorable.

I liked the movie of Cold Mountain, but really did NOT like the book. I cared about what happened in the movie because the acting really was terrific, but the book...I just didn't care.

"Did you enjoy Cold Mountain as a book? I read the whole thing, but never really got into it."

Yes, I did -- it took me a bit to get into the book at first, but the characters really grew on me. :)

Barbara wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I totally agree about Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I thought he was excellent. In fact, since then, I've been unnaturally devoted to Colin Firth and every silly movie he's been in."

..."

I haven't seen it -- Thanks for the recommendation, Barbara!

Barbara wrote: "Jessica wrote: "BBC's North and South (Gaskell) very good and their Pride and Prejudice..."

The North & South adaptation was charming. It wasn't totally faithful to the book, especially the ending, but I enjoyed it all the same because it was so well acted and shot. I loved the way that Richard Armitage (playing Thornton) didn't smile once, until the very end when he broke out into a wonderful smile. I also loved the scene in the snow where he watches Margaret leaving, believing he will never see her again.

I liked the part when she goes for the first time to the mill, and then she writes to her friend and tells her: "I have been in hell, and it's white".

Veronica wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Jessica wrote: "BBC's North and South (Gaskell) very good and their Pride and Prejudice..."

The North & South adaptation was charming. It wasn't totally faithful to the book, esp..."


Hey is that the old t.v. version with patrick sweazy?????????

Caleb wrote: "Hey is that the old t.v. version with patrick sweazy?????????"

No, this is an adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel about the Industrial Revolution in England.

oh srry :'( >tear<

I loved the versions of Lonesome Dove, The Stand and The Green Mile. They all followed the books pretty closely.

I really like The Princess Bride.... = ]

The Secret Garden was done pretty loyally, I thought.

I forgot about Princess Bride, but didn't the book come out either at the same time or after the movie. It was a little like a spoof.

I didn't mind The Reader, however there were two scenes from the book that were missing in the movie which I thought were important to the story.

I loved the film versions of The Kite Runner and Atonement.

Barbara wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I totally agree about Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I thought he was excellent. In fact, since then, I've been unnaturally devoted to Colin Firth and every silly movie he's been in."

..."

Barbara,
I found, by accident, the book
Austenland and I immediately wondered if you read it, since you empathize with my Colin Firth obsession.

Kandice wrote: "I forgot about Princess Bride, but didn't the book come out either at the same time or after the movie. It was a little like a spoof."

The Princess Bride was a good one. According to the GR's bio on the book it was first published in '73. Looking that up reminded me of the original film adapt of The Stepford Wives.
Goldman wrote the screenplay adaptation.

I am anticipating My Sister's Keeper...I will prob. see it on Sunday....

I loved The Kite Runner, hated Atonement (in all forms) LOVE P&P bbc version....Angels and Demons was a good adaptation....much better then the daVinci Code

Did Secret Life of Bees ever get released as a movie and if so, was it any good?

Also, did anyone ever see Oprah's made for TV movie (I think) of "Their Eyes were Watching God"? Halle Barry was to be Janie.

I'm curious about both since I really loved both books.

KrIsTiE fAyE wrote: "I am anticipating My Sister's Keeper...I will prob. see it on Sunday...."

I'm dying to see this.

Secret Life of Bees was awesome!

its on dvd

KrIsTiE fAyE wrote: "I am anticipating My Sister's Keeper...I will prob. see it on Sunday....

I loved The Kite Runner, hated Atonement (in all forms) LOVE P&P bbc version....Angels and Demons was a good adaptation......."


Saw "Sister's Keeper" yesterday. Bring clean-x! Also, if you read the book (I'm a HUGE Jodi fan) FYI the ending was changed. Though, still good in my opinion.

KrIsTiE fAyE wrote: "Secret Life of Bees was awesome!

its on dvd"

Oh thanks, my guys are away this weekend so I will go see if our local store has a copy.

Mandy wrote: "I have Q&A and it says previously published as Slumdog Millionaire so I am hoping they are the same thing. Not sure if there is a book that follows more closely to the movie."

I believe this is the book that the script written by Simon Beaufoy is based on, which has also been published.That ought to be just the same as the film.
Slumdog Millionaire The Shooting Script

has anyone seen white oleander? i loved the film but i havent read the book yet but im going to buy it when i get paid

Jo wrote: "has anyone seen white oleander? i loved the film but i havent read the book yet but im going to buy it when i get paid "

I saw the movie on Lifetime. It was ok, however the book is so much better.

I saw the movie, and I agree with Julie the book was much better.

great i will have to get it then :)

White Oleander was a much better book. Pfeiffer was and excellent Ingrid, though.

I forgot to mention The Joy Luck Club. That was such a great movie. Every mom and daughter should watch that together.

Kandice wrote: "White Oleander was a much better book. Pfeiffer was and excellent Ingrid, though.

I forgot to mention The Joy Luck Club. That was such a great movie. Every mom and daughter should wa..."

I totally agree with you on The Joy Luck Club movie, that was wonderful. The acting was superb. I enjoyed the book as well.

My favourite ever film adaption is Death in Venice. The book was good, but Visconti's film with the late Dirk Bogarde was far, far better.

Well now that I've finished the novel, I must agree with the others here who enjoyed the North and South mini-series! Richard Armitage was a great Mr. Thornton.

My fav is a Room With a View.