What are some of the better book to film adaptions out there? - Page 2

Katti's Cat · 01-15-2010, 08:44 PM

For me, one of the best adaptations was 'Das Boot' (The Boat). Book by Lothar-Guenther Buchheim and movie by Wolfgang Petersen.

I just couldn't get the claustrophobic feeling of the situation in the submarine when I read the book but found it was very well done in the movie.

kilohertz53 · 01-16-2010, 05:18 PM

I can't believe that nobody has mentioned Jaws yet. The Steven Spielberg movie was far superior to the novel (by Peter Benchley) from which it was adapted.

Francesco · 01-16-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

This is an excellent adaptation of E.M. Forster's short story, The machine stops.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...0223855159236#

This is the story that the Book Club just selected for their January discussion, which will probably start sometime in February.

No kidding! Thank you so much. I enjoyed the story a lot!

By the way, I think both Blade Runner and the book (Do androids dream of electric sheep) are great.

Dylrob · 01-16-2010, 05:53 PM

StarDust had some pacing problems, but otherwise I thought it was pretty good. It is more lighthearted compared to the book.

djgreedo · 01-17-2010, 01:33 AM

If you extend the definition of movie to include TV shows, then the TV show Dexter is a great adaptation of the Dexter books. I've only read the first book, but the TV series is a lot better (even though the book is very good).

Hellraiser, based on 'The Hellbound Heart' by Clive Barker is every bit as good as the book.

Lord of the Rings. I didn't like the books, but the movies are amazing.

Fletch

The Exorcist

HarryT · 01-17-2010, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katti's Cat

For me, one of the best adaptations was 'Das Boot' (The Boat). Book by Lothar-Guenther Buchheim and movie by Wolfgang Petersen.

I just couldn't get the claustrophobic feeling of the situation in the submarine when I read the book but found it was very well done in the movie.

Agreed, but I'd just note that you really need to see the original 6h TV mini series, NOT the drastically cut-down movie version.

m-reader · 01-17-2010, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarknova

David Lynch's DUNE. He took Frank Herbert's horribly boring and long-winded book and actually made something interesting (though often times still boring).

Ditto. Especially the director's cut version.
Although I disagree with you on the book being boring. Granted, it takes a bit of getting into, but I don't think it's too long.

Also, Riddley Scott's Blade Runner is an awesome movie based on Philip K. Dick's "Do Android Dream of Electric Sheep".
Sorry but there are so many Philip K. Dick books/stories that got turned into movies - I have to mention Richard Linklater's "A Scanner Darkly".

HarryT · 01-17-2010, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m-reader

Ditto. Especially the director's cut version.
Although I disagree with you on the book being boring. Granted, it takes a bit of getting into, but I don't think it's too long.

The book is an all-time SF classic. Definitely not too long.

ficbot · 01-17-2010, 09:54 AM

I thought the film of 'The Hours' was much better than the book.

Jim Lester · 01-17-2010, 11:01 AM

'The Princess Bride'. The movie ruined the book for me

Katti's Cat · 01-18-2010, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Agreed, but I'd just note that you really need to see the original 6h TV mini series, NOT the drastically cut-down movie version.

You are absolutely right about that. But I wasn't sure if the TV series was available in other countries as well as the movie. And the movie still was good.

Scott Nielsen · 01-18-2010, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

And, of course, the three "LOTR" films (specifically the "Extended Editions"); I really don't think that it could have been done better.

Genuinely or are you being facetious? I am OK, all things considered, with FOTR but abhor both TTT and RotK.

Greg Anos · 01-18-2010, 08:57 AM

The Maltese Falcon. (The 1941 version)

HarryT · 01-18-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Nielsen

Genuinely or are you being facetious? I am OK, all things considered, with FOTR but abhor both TTT and RotK.

Totally serious. I think they were superb.

TC Beacham · 01-18-2010, 12:43 PM

A lot of people were happy with the film adaptation of Lehane's MYSTIC RIVER.

01-16-2010, 05:18 PM	#17
kilohertz53 Zealot Posts: 141 Karma: 671 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Harwichport, MA Device: Sony PRS-500, Sony PRS-350, Augen "The Book"	I can't believe that nobody has mentioned *Jaws* yet. The Steven Spielberg movie was far superior to the novel (by Peter Benchley) from which it was adapted. Last edited by kilohertz53; 01-16-2010 at 06:53 PM. Reason: spelling!

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01-15-2010, 08:44 PM	#16
Katti's Cat Wizard Posts: 2,259 Karma: 175640 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Device: Sony PRS-600	For me, one of the best adaptations was 'Das Boot' (The Boat). Book by Lothar-Guenther Buchheim and movie by Wolfgang Petersen. I just couldn't get the claustrophobic feeling of the situation in the submarine when I read the book but found it was very well done in the movie.

01-16-2010, 05:53 PM	#19
Dylrob Murderous Mustela Posts: 10,234 Karma: 48000000 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The other land of schnitzel and beer Device: iPad M1 Pro, Kindle Paperwhite	StarDust had some pacing problems, but otherwise I thought it was pretty good. It is more lighthearted compared to the book.

01-17-2010, 01:33 AM	#20
djgreedo Addict Posts: 285 Karma: 640696 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Kindle Touch 3G, HP Touchpad (Android), Samsung Omnia 7	If you extend the definition of movie to include TV shows, then the TV show Dexter is a great adaptation of the Dexter books. I've only read the first book, but the TV series is a lot better (even though the book is very good). Hellraiser, based on 'The Hellbound Heart' by Clive Barker is every bit as good as the book. Lord of the Rings. I didn't like the books, but the movies are amazing. Fletch The Exorcist

01-17-2010, 09:54 AM	#24
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	I thought the film of 'The Hours' was much better than the book.

01-17-2010, 11:01 AM	#25
Jim Lester Evangelist Posts: 416 Karma: 14682 Join Date: May 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Device: Nook HD, Nook for Windows 8	'The Princess Bride'. The movie ruined the book for me

01-18-2010, 08:57 AM	#28
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,531 Karma: 37057604 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	The Maltese Falcon. (The 1941 version)

01-18-2010, 12:43 PM	#30
TC Beacham Great Beach Reads! Posts: 202 Karma: 300000 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle 2	A lot of people were happy with the film adaptation of Lehane's MYSTIC RIVER.