The book was better than the movie or the movie was better than the book? This is an age old debate where the fans of the books are often at odds with fans of the movie adaptations. Movie adaptations don’t always live up to the expectations and do a book justice. But for every Gone Girl there’s a Girl on the Train, and for every Harry Potter there’s a Vampire Academy. And when that happens, it’s simply magical. Read on about some of the best movie adaptations of books.
1. The Godfather
Considered one of the best movies of all time, The Godfather is based on Mario Puzo’s novel. The story takes place over 10 years, chronicles the happenings within a New York crime family, with an emphasis on the transformation of one of the Godfather’s son from reluctant outsider to a ruthless mafia boss. With Marlon Brando and Al Pacino delivering glorious performances and an epic story, there’s no wonder The Godfather is one of the most imitated and frequently-quoted films in modern history. The movie exceeded all expectations, quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s greatest critical and commercial successes.
2. The Hunger Games
In a dystopian version of North America, the 12 districts of Panem must send a teenage boy and girl as tributes to compete in the Hunger Games as punishment for a past uprising. The Games are a twisted reality show where the tributes fight each other to the death, up to the point where only one victor remains. The story centers on Katniss Everdeen, who has to rely on her sharp instincts and hunting skills to survive in the dangerous arena. The Hunger Games movies remain some of the best YA book-to-movie adaptations out there, perfectly capturing the gloomy atmosphere and raw emotion of the books. The fact that author Suzanne Collins was on board to help write the screenplay probably didn’t hurt. Factor in Jennifer’s Lawrence undeniable acting chops, and a hit was born.
3. Schindler’s List
Schindler’s List isn’t a feel-good movie, but it’s a must-see one. Based on the novel Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally, it follows Oskar Schindler, a businessman who saved over 1,000 Jews from sure death during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories, which caused him to lose his fortune in the process. It’s a true story, brilliantly brought to the big screen thanks to Steven Spielberg’s skillful showcasing of humanity and compassion. One of the most powerful portraits of World War II, Schindler’s List is about an anti-hero who succumbs to his inner goodness. But it’s also about death, grief, terror, violence and empathy. The realism and attention to detail make the movie difficult to watch, but it’s the type of outstanding film everyone should see at least once. It will likely stay with you for a long, long time.
4. Gone With The Wind
Margaret Mitchell’s novel is an incredible 1,037 pages long and the film is similarly unstinting in its devotion to telling the story, clocking in at nearly four hours. This dramatic retelling of the events preceding, during and following the American Civil War is rightly feted. Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Olivia de Havilland and Leslie Howard shine like the Hollywood royalty that they were.
5. The Silence of the Lambs
Bringing Hannibal Lecter to the big screen is no easy feat, but The Silence of the Lambs pulls it off beautifully, offering a haunting tale of horror and suspense. The story follows Clarice Starling, a young FBI trainee who interviews Hannibal Lecter in her pursuit to apprehend a serial killer. Lecter is himself a cannibalistic serial killer serving life behind bars, but who just happens to be a brilliant psychiatrist as well. Unfortunately for Clarice, his insights don’t come cheap. This hypnotic adaptation will keep you glued to the screen thanks to its sheer intensity. Moreover, Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster are both brilliant, showcasing their talent as they bring to life two memorable characters. All in all, The Silence of the Lambs is a well-crafted, clever thriller not recommended for the weak of heart.
6. Jaws
Spielberg’s 1975 adaptation of Peter Benchley’s novel of the same name has been adjudged as a classic thriller. Telling the story of a giant man-eating white shark attacking beachgoers in a fictional U.S. town Jaws inspired a worldwide sea-fearing epidemic. With the tagline ‘you’ll never go in the water again’, it’s not hard to see why.
7. Color Purple
In this Alice Walker’s novel, Celie writes letters detailing her often painful life in rural Georgia, her separation from her sister, Nettie, her relationships with her husband’s son’s wife, Sofia, and her husband’s sometimes-mistress, Shug. The book delves even deeper into the inner lives of the women in Celie’s life and paints a more complex picture of the relationships they share. This was Whoopi Goldberg’s first film and she received her first Oscar nomination for it.
8. The Fellowship of the Rings
Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, The Fellowship of the Ring centers on Frodo, a hobbit living in the fictional world of Middle-earth. Assisted by a Fellowship of heroes, he embarks on an epic quest to destroy the One Ring and its maker, the Dark Lord Sauron. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a cinematic triumph and the first movie flawlessly introduces the world and mythology. In short, it does the source material justice. Although faithful to the books, the adaptation does omit some of the story.
9. To Kill A Mockingbird
A Pulitzer Prize-winning book and an Oscar-winning movie. The film won three Oscars, including Best Screenplay and Best Actor for Gregory Peck’s brilliant portrayal of Atticus Finch. Alexander Armstrong says: “Harper Lee’s debut – and so far only published – novel has sold over 30 million copies and the film is a faithful adaptation of her story.
10. The Life of Pi
Everyone thought The Life of Pi by Yann Martel was unfilmable – a boy on a raft with only a tiger for company! But somehow, Ang Lee managed it magnificently. The director picked up an Oscar for Best Director and Mychael Danna also won one for Best Original Score.
Which of these movie adaptations have you watched? Which movie adaptations of books will you recommend?
30 Responses
Good list. I’d add The Green Mile and Shawshank Redemption to the list. Ellis ‘Red’ Redding, a ginger haired Irishman character in the book was flawlessly enhanced by Morgan Freeman’s Red in the movie. And who could forget Michael Clarke Duncan’s John Coffey?
But if I have to name one film that completely and utterly surpassed the book it was based on, I’d say ‘3 Idiots.’
I have read Gone with the Wind. Its been a while, I have picked up any English book. But I did read a couple of Marathi books.
An excellent list. Must-watch movies.
Colour Purple is one movie that I have not watched. Now will have to search net if I can get to view it.
Thanks for a good ride across various screens showing all my favorite movies!
Except for No. 2, 8 &7 I’ve watched the rest . Disappointed with to kill a mocking bird . Enjoyed Gone with the wind but much preferred the book . Was riveted by Silence of the Lambs .
I didn’t know To Kill a Mockingbird was made a movie. Thanks for the list, will set out to watch the ones I haven’t. 🙂
The Day of the Jackal movie better than the novel.
Excellent list
A very good list. I’ve seen most of them. Hard to decide if book or movie is better. I generally enjoy movies more than the books since I’m a visual person. I have found that once I see the movie I drop the book so usually try to read the book first.
Wow, these movies seem intriguing. I haven’t seen any of them except The Life of Pi. Would love to check them out.
I have seen only three of the movies listed above. Though I am not a big fan of movie adaptations of books, yet I would like to put the others in my Too See List.
I have somehow never liked movie adaptations of books, the emotions you feel while reading a book is totally different!
Totally agree about Life of Pi and some of the other selections, but Gone With The Wind’s movie adaptation left much to be desired in my opinion- it didn’t capture any of the fascinating historical bits, nor the existential insecurities of the characters that the books so beautifully talks of…. But yes, the cast was indeed well-chosen!
If we turn to Hindi we hav Vikas Swarap’s Q&A and then the Chetan Bhagat series – 5 point Someone/ 3 Mistakes of my life……..
These are all classics.
The ones I have watched, I haven’t read and for the ones I have read, I haven’t watched the movie adaptation!! This puts me in a real spot…maybe now I should work my way through this list
What an amazing list!
I will be watching the movies that I hadn’t watched during this lockdown.
Honestly I enjoy both Shilpa as I like to see the director’s interpretation of the author’s weave. Sometimes I have also watched the movie first and then find back to the book.
I felt the movie of Life of Pi only scratched the surface of the book. The Godfather movie, on the other hand, took the story to another level.
M is for …
The godfather is one of my favorites. I love it that you wrote about these titles also. I would love to watch Hunger Games, It seems intriguing. Thank you and happy A2Zing 🙂
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I always prefer books to movies. You have a great list there. I completely agree about The Life of Pi.
This is great list for both watching and reading. I have watched only The Godfather from this list. So much to catch up!
Some great movie selections on your list. Schindler’s List is an amazing movie. I’ve only seen it once. I don’t know if I’ll ever watch it again as it was so difficult but it was truly an amazing movie. I never read the book so I don’t have a comparison on it.Weekends In Maine
This is such an amazing list shilpa and I had watched life of pie..will bookmark your post, and watch others too.
I have watched Gone with the wind and God Father but have not read the books. I was to young when I watched these movies, do not remember now. I heard God Father was also remade into a Hindi film. have watched life of Pi but have not read the book.
I officially announce myself as a movie buff, and have seen almost all these movies. The best adaptations of books.
All of them classics. Worth reading and seeing..
I have watched many of them, somehow when I see a movie based on a book I start to compare it page by page. silly me! And now my kiddo does the same for harry potter movies.
I haven’t watched Schlender’s list and the color purple. A great share of these adaptations.
I have watched just one movie from the list : Life of Pi. Amazing! But I haven’t read the book. I don’t watch adaptations if I have read and liked the book. I don’t read the thriller if I have watched the movie like Gone Girl. I don’t want to read Twilight because I have seen some parts of the movie and I don’t like the actors. But I watched Me Before You after reading the book and loved it. And I read The Kite Runner after watching the movie. Loved it.
I have read 1,3,4,6,8 and watched all except 7,9. I think Gone With The Wind is the best adaptation!