Novel Adaptations

Rachael1 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-05-08, 22:18

What have been your favourite tv, film, radio or stage adaptations of your favourite novels? Where they as good as the novel? Which disappointed you the most and why? Have any adaptations spurred you on to read the original novel?

Now I've still never managed to find anyone else who actually watched this one, but I thought the TV adaption of Gormenghast was amazing! The colours and look of the whole piece really gave off the atmosphere I got from the novel. And the acting from everyone was wonderful - brilliantly cast, they all looked as I had pictured them. The only flaw was that Jonathan Rhys Meyer was far too good looking to play Steerpike but tbh, because he nailed the character so well IMO he managed to actually be freakily replusive (if repulsive is the right word) despite that.

The Ralph Fiennes "Wuthering Heights" was so atrocious, I didn't get beyond the first ten minutes. I managed to stick it out until Heathcliff came up behind Cathy, grabbed her boobs and said something like "is this what you want". Need I say any more...?

isabellasmum · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-08, 01:00

OMG it has to be the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. I loved it so much and have the dvd boxset. I was really disappointed in the film though as it seemed to skim so much and Keira just wasn't a great Lizzie Bennet IMO. I think the BBC version spoiled me as it is spread out into a whole series and has so much delicious detail whereas the film has to cram it into a couple of hours

Ellie H · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-08, 10:59

I'm going back into the dim and distant 90's, but I loved the BBC's adaptation of Iain Banks's 'The Crow Road'. I'd read the book before I saw the series and it definitely did it justice.

My favourite film adaptation is Michael Cunningham's 'The Hours'. The book is really moving and the film was everything I hoped it'd be. Nicole kidman was totally unrecognisable as Virginia Woolf. I love the book and the film!

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Rachael1 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-08, 20:58

The newest Pride and Prejudice movie just didn't entice me whatsoever. I mean I enjoyed the BBC one and thought it's just too soon after that one to attempt another adaptation.

Just remembered from nowhere a tv adaptation from a good while back... the Wyvern Mystery. Did anyone else see that one? It was with Jack Davenport and Derek Jacobi. It was a bit Turn of the Screw meets Jane Eyre, only darker in a freakier way.

mrsharvey · #5 (**permalink**) 04-05-08, 12:16

I loved the book "the beach" by alex garland but absolutley hated the film - Leonardo Di Caprio was in it, i was so disappointed as the book is great.

I also love Jilly Cooper books but when they did a tv version of riders I had to turn it off as the characters were all so ugly not like the image I had in my mind.

LittleMissMe · #6 (**permalink**) 04-05-08, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by isabellasmum

OMG it has to be the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. I loved it so much and have the dvd boxset. I was really disappointed in the film though as it seemed to skim so much and Keira just wasn't a great Lizzie Bennet IMO. I think the BBC version spoiled me as it is spread out into a whole series and has so much delicious detail whereas the film has to cram it into a couple of hours

Love this! Also have the boxset and watch it start to finish once every few months! The film was nowhere near as good and really bugged me cause it missed out loads of reason and explanation for why stuff was happening!

Was disappointed with the film Atonement, so didn't do the book justice. Again it missed out really important reasoning behind why stuff was going on. Stick to Pirates of the Caribbean Keira!

jewel · #7 (**permalink**) 05-05-08, 17:17

I absolutely loved the book Memoirs of a Geisha and must say the film version was pretty good.

I also loved the book P.S I love you but haven't got around to watching the film yet.

However, I am nearly always disappointed with film versions as they tend to add elements to make it more visually dramatic and take out the bits I loved! And the characters never look as I'd imagine!

Alexanders mummy · #8 (**permalink**) 05-05-08, 18:04

I loved PS I Love You & really looked forward to the film coming out but i saw a trailer for it & couldnt believe that they had turned it into a comedy romance!

The book touches you on so many levels,you cry with the characters,laugh with them & it really makes you think about how you would react if your life turned out that way & maybe i am doing the film down but from the trailers i saw & other peoples comments there is no way i would even watch it.

maddysmummy · #9 (**permalink**) 06-05-08, 01:14

I loved the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice too.

Another really good one was the BBC adaptation of Vanity Fair. Natasha Little was absoloutely fab as 'Becky'. The film version made with Reece Witherspoon (i think) was pants. I attempted to read the book but i didn't get past the first few pages

My all time favourite though has to be Poldark, made by the BBC in the '70's. I've read the books and all of the characters were spot on, - very well casted and brilliant acting.

As you can guess - i do love a historical fiction!
thanks for a great question rachel

Ellie H · #10 (**permalink**) 06-05-08, 09:35

Everytime this thread pops up I keep having to resist the urge to correct the spelling in the thread title..........am such a saddo!

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