When you’re working on adapting your book to film, you’re under a lot of pressure. You may have left some of your favorite parts, but you have to make sure that book fans buy them for the movie. You also need to buy it for the story to film fans, even if you’ve never read a book.
Some films do better than others, but I think the next one is a great example of how it should be done.
Let’s take a look at 11 of the best book-to-film adaptations.
1. The Godfather
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola (based on a novel by Mario Puzo) written by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola. Cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Kahn, Robert Duval, Diane Keaton.
This is one of the greatest movies of all time. It reaps some of the tangents from the novel, focusing in particular on Michael’s journey.
2. Little kids
Directed by Todd Field, written by Todd Field and Todd Field and Tom Perrotta (based on the novel by Tom Perrotta). Cast: Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Connery, Jackie Earl Haley, Noah Emmerich.
I love this book. The film couldn’t cover the width of the suburban Ennui, but I think what works is to focus the story on one event and make it more universal.
3. Jurassic Park
Directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Michael Criton and David Koep (based on a novel by Michael Criton). Cast: Sam Neil, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Ariana Richard.
The book is cynical and nihilistic, but the film uses those motifs and actually tries to turn it into something hopeful and magical in the end. It’s a really smart way to talk about this.
4. Lord of the Rings trilogy
Directed by Peter Jackson (based on a JRR Tolkien novel) written by Fran Walsh, Phillippa Boyence and Peter Jackson. Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Liv Tyler.
It was a lifelong job to be in charge of this trilogy, and Jackson and his team were able to celebrate the book while making some fantastic fantasy genre films. They maintain an overall sense of adventure and world building while accessing.
5. Little woman
Written by Greta Gerwig, directed by Greta Gerwig (based on a novel by Louisa May Alcott). Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet.
I especially like this adaptation because it feels like it was made with modern sensibilities, but always has the center of original novels.
6. Kill a Mockingbird
Written by Horton Foot, directed by Robert Mulligan (based on Harper Lee’s novel). Cast: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Philip Alford, John Megna, Ruth White.
The beautiful and groundbreaking book adapted very quickly to the beautiful and groundbreaking film. I feel that there are very few works on this list. It’s as important or as important as this classic.
7. Male child
Directed by Alfonso Quarron, Alfonso Quarron, Timothy J. Sexton, David Arata, Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby (based on PD James’ novels) Cast: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Charlie Hunnam, Chiwetel Ejiofor .
I love this science fiction movie. It takes us into the near future and normalizes that world for us using technology that was not available in the novel.
8. Gone Girl
Written by Gillian Flynn, directed by David Fincher (based on her novel). Cast: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Carrie Coon.
This modern thriller was adapted by the author, and it is an interesting study of how the same writer tells the same story about two different mediums. This will be less backstory and play in tones to sell certain scenes.
9. The Lamb’s Silence
Directed by Jonathan Dem, written by Ted Tully (based on a novel by Thomas Harris). Cast: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald.
Thomas Harris’ novels are more violent, and movie-like things save the moments of violence in return. It also provides ample juxtaposed research for two character studies.
10. election
Directed by Alexander Payne (based on a Tom Perotta novel) written by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor. Cast: Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein, Molly Shannon, Jessica Campbell.
Here we have a few changes per script. But what will be carried over is all the narrators and their perspectives. It’s so smart, and I think the visuals add so many layers to this story
11. The Wizard of Oz
Victor Fleming (and others credits) written by Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson, and Edgar Allan Woolf (based on the novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum). Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lar, Jack Haley, Margaret Hamilton.
It’s hard to resist classical music. Oz’s original wizard film shoots the story in many sequels, creating a core story focused on returning to the home of a single central person. It’s the gold standard.
Summary of the 11 Best Books Toumbee adaptations
So you have it. These are some book-to-film adaptations that I find great. The writer’s job is to capture the essence of a book and bring it to the screen. All of these films have their essence, but I think they stand as great movies themselves.
They may not be your favorite, but they are part of me.
Tell us what you think in the comments.
