movies based on books that didn't disappoint you

[vancouvergirl]

after posting in the Memoirs of a Geisha thread that i was worried the movie would be a letdown, i began to think of satisfying movies which were originally books. yeah, can't think of any yet. :rolleyes: can anyone?

[tenofcups]

I can think of a few:

Breakfast at Tiffany's: I actually read the book (really a "novella") after seeing the movie and enjoyed the movie much more. The novella is much darker and doesn't have the sense of optimism that the movie ends with.

Under the Tuscan Sun: Again I saw the movie first and really enjoyed it, so I got the book. Couldn't even make it through the book -- I just found it to be dull, dull, dull and so disappointing.

Little Women: The book was one of my favorites growing up. There are several versions that I know I've thought were ok. In particular, one came out sometime in the past 10 years and I thought it was well-done.

Harry Potter movies: I don't think they're as good as the books, but I do think they've done a pretty good job with them.

There might be more, but those are the ones that come to mind off the top of my head...

[villanelle75]

Not that they classify as great film or literature, btu I liked the Jurasic Park movie better than the book.

[vancouvergirl]

ooh, yes! good, tenofcups. speaking of novellas, i had been wondering about Shopgirl by steve martin. novellas must be less challenging to transform into a movie. i've read the book, but haven't seen the movie. however, it's hard to compare because it's not in the same league as the works you listed (and i didn't even love the book).

[bookworm]

The BBC (mid-90s, maybe?) Pride and Prejudice. ETA: I guess that was more of a mini-series...

Merchant Ivory's versions of EM Forster Novels.

Henry V and Much Ado About Nothing (the Branagh versions), if we count plays as "based on the book" :).

I actually liked Memoirs of a Geisha. The book was better (of course!), but it has been awhile so I wasn't disappointed.

And that Scott Turow book that became a movie with Harrison Ford (a long time ago)....I can't think of the name, but I liked the movie as much as the book.

[vancouvergirl]

...And that Scott Turow book that became a movie with Harrison Ford (a long time ago)....I can't think of the name, but I liked the movie as much as the book.

presumed innocent. yeah, that was a fun movie!

i can't believe i have never seen the bbc production of Pride and Prejudice but i have it in the house now on loan. the new one strikes me as so "hollywood" from the previews. that's one i think i'll skip.

[pocket]

The Lord of the Rings movies were just fantastic - better than I could have imagined it.

The Anne of Green Gables miniseries captures the spirit of Anne even though it wasn't quite true to the book.

[twinnyme]

Simon Birch (movie) = A Prayer for Owen Meany (book by John Irving). I absolutely loved this book and thought for certain the movie would be terrible, but I was pleasantly surprised. (I only saw it once, when it was out in the theaters, back in the late 90s I think). The book is very long and covers a large time frame, but I thought the movie did a good job of condensing and still covering the important concepts.

Looking forward to seeing Memoirs of a Geisha, though I read the book quite a while ago....

[AusMarchBride]

1st Bridget Jones book/movie. I loved the book and thought the movie was really well done.

As for the 2nd Bridget Jones, thought both the book and the movie were v. disappointing

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

I agree with BBC's "Pride & Prejudice" miniseries; I also think the recent movie was excellent, for a short version. And I second the Merchant Ivory E.M. Forster stories too... I especially liked "A Room with a View."
Oh, and I agree, I liked the movie version of "Jurassic Park" better than the book.

[Nanner]

I agree about Breakfast at Tiffany's. The novella was much darker and seedier than the movie, but both were excellent in their own right.

I also liked The Shining. The screenplay was so different than the novel, but again, both were excellent. Now that horrible mini-series remake with Rebecca De Mornay and Steven Weber, and that annoying creepy kid...that one just never should have been made. *shaking head*

[elladee]

Pride and Prejudice (the BBC miniseries) - not quite as good as the book, but I really enjoyed watching this.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - again, not quite as good as the book, but very well done.

The Princess Bride - the movie was way better than the book

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

I also liked The Shining. The screenplay was so different than the novel, but again, both were excellent. Now that horrible mini-series remake with Rebecca De Mornay and Steven Weber, and that annoying creepy kid...that one just never should have been made. *shaking head*
You know what's weird... King didn't like the first movie. He had approval on the mini-series though, and so apparently preferred that one.
But I agree with you, I liked the movie, didn't like the mini-series.

[katmg]

I think the longer it's been since I read the book, the better I like the movie. I tend to nit-pick over details when I *just* read the book, but if it's been awhile since I read the book, I tend to look at the movie more holistically.

[msnicolea]

I was satisified with the Bridget Jones' adaptations, and I second the BBC P&P--the best interpretation/representation of it yet!


One of my LEAST favorites: Simon Birch, based on my favorite book of all time, A Prayer for Owen Meany. Not. Even. Close.

[BryantRN]

I have to say that I was a little disappointed by the Memoirs of a Geisha movie. I finished the book the day before going to see the movie so it was still fresh in my mind. I think that some of the characters were kind of off and the end they just plain changed. It was still an okay movie IMO, but the book was much better!!

~Renee~

[chrisinluv]

My favorite movie from a book is Leave Her to Heaven, starring Gene Tierney and Cornell Wilde. The book, by the same name and authored by Ben Ames Williams, was published in the early forties; the movie came out soon thereafter. Tierney isn't exactly how I had pictured her from the description in the book, but after seeing the movie, I felt like she was perfect for the part.

I am also a big fan of Breakfast at Tiffany's, both the story and the film. For me, they each have different characteristics which make them great. For example, I would have thought the ending of the novella would have made a great ending for the film, but I wouldn't trade the ending of the film for anything. My favorite line is when George Peppard says, "Well baby, you're already in a cage, and you built it yourself. It is not bound on the east by Somali Land or on the west by Tulip, Texas. It is everywhere you go. Because no matter where you run, you're always going to end up running right back into yourself."

[houseblend]

I second Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson did an amazing job with those.

I also actually liked the movie Seabiscuit far better than the book. It took a more emotional angle than the book did which made it more inspiring.

[bird_feet]

I thought that both the movie and book version of The Green Mile were pretty good.

[tenofcups]

My favorite line is when George Peppard says, "Well baby, you're already in a cage, and you built it yourself. It is not bound on the east by Somali Land or on the west by Tulip, Texas. It is everywhere you go. Because no matter where you run, you're always going to end up running right back into yourself."

Ah yes... that's when my tears start to come and they don't stop till the credits... ;)

[justHB]

The film version of "The Notebook" is one of the most romantic movies I've ever seen. I hated the book.

[BrownEyedGirl]

It's not really a book, but Brokeback Mountain was very good. Followed the original short story extremely well.

[craftyT]

IMO, The Cider House Rules (by John Irving) was a wonderful movie - & an even better book!
I think the movie missed a few key messages in the book or at least I don't think the movie enforced/stressed a few of those key messages like the book did - but Michael Caine, Toby Maguire and Chalize Theron were so enjoyed to watch as these characters.

[njdiva]

Good topic...

Mystic River
Their Eyes Were Watching God (Oprah's production) - the movie followed very closely to the book.
Memoirs of a Geisha - like I stated in the geisha thread... I read the book and I felt the movie was great!

[justHB]

IMO, The Cider House Rules (by John Irving) was a wonderful movie - & an even better book!
I think the movie missed a few key messages in the book or at least I don't think the movie enforced/stressed a few of those key messages like the book did - but Michael Caine, Toby Maguire and Chalize Theron were so enjoyed to watch as these characters.Oh, I forgot about that one. Definitely loved both.

[PinkGirl]

I was satisified with the Bridget Jones' adaptations, and I second the BBC P&P--the best interpretation/representation of it yet!


One of my LEAST favorites: Simon Birch, based on my favorite book of all time, A Prayer for Owen Meany. Not. Even. Close.


But that's MY favorite book of all time!!! ;)

ITA. Although, if you look closely I'm pretty sure the movie says it is only based on A Prayer for Owen Meany. OMG, could I love that book anymore???

[BlackMagicRose]

Interview With the Vampire-Yes, I was a little dissapointed that Armand did not look like the description in the book, Tom Cruise did a good job with Lestat's personality but he did not look the part and the ending was different in the book. Minus these things I think it was very well done and so much fun!

Lord of The Rings-I have to agree with all of you. It was so well done!

Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy-Just SO funny and "so long and thanks for all the fish!"

Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea- I loved these movies. :)

I know there is more. I will have to think...

[Asha]

forest gump, the movie, was much better than the book. the book was just too bizarre. i mean he flew into space with a monkey and landed on an island of cannibals in the book. that was just too wacky for me.

[TMat13]

I 2nd the Notebook! My favorite favorite movie... I watched the movie before reading the book and I loved both!:D :D :D

[maplekitty]

I was going to say Forrest Gump, but that was already mentioned, so I'll second that. And also Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy was well done and I'm looking forward to the next one (if there will be a next one, I sure hope so!)

[sublime311]

Deep End of the Ocean
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Harry Potter (all of them)

[SaphirimalMei]

ones that havent been mentioned yet:

The Shawshank Redemption - Not only not disappointed, but this movie is absolutely beloved. Read the novella (Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King) a LONG time before seeing the movie.

High Fidelity - (book is High Fidelity by Nick Hornby) They changed the locale as well as a few other details, but again, this movie is now on my "All Time Top Five" list of favorite movies.

[spring_wedding]

pretty much posting to agree with most of you

LOTR - definately ended up being way way over my expectations. I've been reading and re-reading these books since i was in elementary school, and never expected to see what i was seeing in my head up on the big screen! Kudos to PJ for the excellent movies.

Harry Potters - These i've got conflicting emotions over. I LOVE the hp books, and while the movies turned out good, and are fun to watch, I still prefer the books to the movies anyday.

The DaVinci code - now i know this isn't out yet, but this is one movie i'd LOVE to see meet expectations....it's such a fantastic book, and could be such an exciting action movie!

Ender's Game - Another one that i've read over and over, and am crossing my fingers that they dont butcher it!!!

[scubasam]

The Notebook was so well done....by far, my favorite.

[j*east]

Girl, Interrupted...the movie was good, but the book was so disappointing. I don't even know how they got the linear progression of the movie out of the book.

Not a movie, but Sex and the City. There aren't really any characters in the book of Bushnell's columns...bears little resemblance, except maybe vaguely thematic, to the TV series.

Also, re: Simon Birch--I believe I read that John Irving signed himself off the movie and demanded that they changed the title b/c he hated it so much. I've never seen it, but I love John Irving.

I actually saw the second Harry Potter movie before reading any of the books, and then read the books, so I thought they were pretty good too, except I wasn't as thrilled with #4.

[msnicolea]

Simon Birch is HORRID--it totally destroys the book!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jimmysgirl424]

Both of mine are adaptions of books by Stephen King:

The Green Mile

The Stand, which was actually done as mini-series. Given the length of the book itself (which is one of my all-time favorite King books), I thought the series stayed pretty true to the original. Some minor aberrations, but I was willing to live with them.


I hated, hated, hated the movie for John Grisham's The Firm as well as Stephen King's The Tommyknockers. Both were miserably butchered beyond recognition.

[lawyerlee]

The Pelican Brief and The Rainmaker, both by John Grisham

And I definitely agree about The Notebook. I liked the book well enough, but I *love* that movie! :)

[mili04]

I'm another one who loved The Notebook movie, but didn't really like the book. DH thought the movie was pretty good for a girly movie :)

[wine_o_girlie]

I recently watch Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and thought the movie was actually better than the book. I expected to really enjoy the book but definitely did not love it. The level of details and how long it was really ruined it for me. Thankfully a lot of that was cut out of the movie.

[Keshe]

The first Harry Potter movie didn't disappoint me (but the others did).

Im sure there are others, probably mostly children's books, but nothing is standing out in my mind.

[Shakua]

The Lord of the Rings movies were just fantastic - better than I could have imagined it.
.

I agree 100% :)

[gayle]

I second several of the films mentioned. One that hasn't been mentioned is Interview with the Vampire. Although it wasn't totally true to the book, it captured the feel, and the essence of the book beautifully, and was a visual masterpiece as well.

[lightview]

As other have mentioned the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. I make a point of watching in at least once a year (over a weekend since its six hours). I actually haven't seen the new P&P since I figured it would be a disappointment after such a wonderful adaption by BBC.

Also, I agree that the first Bridget Jones movie did a pretty good job (probably due to Colin Firth as in P&P :D )

[ivansbabe]

I'll fourth or fifth the BBC's Pride and Prejudice. It is my all time favorite "movie" or miniseries. I also make a point of watching it a couple times a year.
As a child I liked the 90s version of The Secret Garden. I liked Sin City as well, though I haven't read the comic books associated with them (I've heard they're right on).

[Lizzy]

I'm a fan of Amy Tan, and the Joy Luck Club definitely didin't disappoint me- I thought it was great.

[KeliAnn]

The film version of "The Notebook" is one of the most romantic movies I've ever seen. I hated the book.
I was just coming in here to post that. Hated the book, loved the movie.

[Sevilla]

Ender's Game - Another one that i've read over and over, and am crossing my fingers that they dont butcher it!!!
They're making a movie of Ender's Game? I hope it comes out well! I really enjoyed reading that series (well, until it got all weird in Children of the Mind).

[njdiva]

bump...

Since I just finished the Kite Runner and watched the movie last night. I must say that the movie did not disappoint. Of course, some parts were ommitted but for the most part stayed true to the book.

I am looking forward to seeing The Secret Life of Bees on the big screen since I read that book a few years ago. Just from the previews - I am a bit disappointed. I pictured the character played by both Jenifer Hudson and Queen Latifah to be older women.

[Niobe]

I'm just finishing up Atonement by Ian McEwan, after seeing the movie, and that was an excellent adaptation it turns out. The casting was just perfect - especially Keira Knightley.

I liked the Brian De Palma movie version of Stephen King's Carrie FAR better than the book. The book was crap, but the movie is a classic.