Born and raised in the empire of Bollywood, we don’t get to see many book to movie adaptations as compared to other countries. Regional industries though are more inclined towards adapting a killer novel and make a movie out of it. But Bollywood, ugh hopeless. There are many factors inspiring the circumstances. To mention a few,
writing is a very unappreciated profession in India and Bollywood does not make movies based on the pieces of literature being produced, because obviously they are not mainstream.
P.S. I’m not considering Chetan Bhagat novels here.
One statement both bookworms and film buffs will nod together on is, Movies based on books are the best sort of movies. Because when a writer spends 20 years of his life writing a book, he puts his life and soul into it. There are characters, fully developed, story and details are completely elaborated. On the other hand, there’s scriptwriters who develop a story in a course of a few months. No space for doubt that the script will not be strong enough. Some might argue by saying there are movies which are great without being based on books. And it is true. But let’s just keep that debate for later and jump into the list of best book to movie adaptations in no particular order.
To Kill A Mocking Bird: Based on the Harper Lee novel, the movie with the same name is a must watch. Director Robert Mulligan in his 1962 movie has got the point of the movie spot-on.
The Silence Of The Lambs: Apart from being one of the best movies in the genre, Silence Of The Lambs is very true to the Thomas Harris novel. This 1991 movie by Jonathan Demme is a must watch for all.
American Psycho: Though slightly more comical than the original novel by
Bret Easton Ellis, this 2000 movie adaptation by Mary Harron is certainly an enjoyable watch for those who have read the book.
Goodfellas: Arguably Martin Scorcese’s best work, based on Wise Guy by Nicolas Pileggi is a much watch for everyone.
Trainspotting: It won’t be right to call the movie, very true to the book but to turn it into a fabulous movie the changes were necessary. Danny Boyle deserves the credit for turning Irvine Welsh’s charecters to life in his 1996 movie.
Lolita: If you get a chance to get over the orgasmically well-written prologue of Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita, try watching the movies based on it. While 1962 adaptation is wonderful with Stanley Kubrick’s magic touch, 1997 movie by Adrian Lyne is as beautiful and true to the book. Both the movies are worth spending two and a half hours of your lives; I promise.
No Country For Old Men: And the Coen brothers have done their magic in the remake of the classic novel by Cormac McCarthy. Due to the brilliance of the literature and awe striking direction the 2007 movie is a masterpiece.
Fight Club: “The first rule of fight club…” is to appreciate what David Fincher has done to the Chuck Palahniuk novel. The movie did do some simplifications to the original story but in the end, great book, great film.
The Godfather: The most iconic movie of the 70’s (or of all time), based on Mario Puzo’s novel with the same name stays true to the book, keeping its cinematic brilliance intact. You can’t have not watched The Godfather. If not the Francis F. Coppola film then the thousands of remakes might surely have caught your eye.
The Shining: Kubrick wasn’t strictly stuck to Stephen King’s source material. Even King was not impressed with the 1980 motion picture. Though that statement is no longer valid standing here. Kubrick’s cinematic brilliance and King’s chilling script made a horror movie to last for ages.
Do you think we have missed out on some things? Let us know in the comments below. Another 10 book to movie adaptations list is coming this Wednesday. Stay tuned.
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The Monochrome Guy 