Great Books Make Great Films

While reading a book, have you ever thought “wow that would make a great film?” Or seen a great film and wanted to know more of the story, and discover that it came from a series of books? Imagine relaxing in a cool room with a movie or two from our list, good friends to share the experience, and some refreshments. Kind of makes you want a popsicle, doesn’t it?

Imagine relaxing in a cool room with a movie or two from our list, good friends to share the experience, and some refreshments. Kind of makes you want a popsicle, doesn’t it?Or best of all, have you heard that your favorite book is going to be made into a movie, and you just can’t wait to see it? This is a familiar set of scenarios to just about everyone, and there are numerous favorite stories that started as books and then were brought to life on screen very successfully.

Mystic River, Photo date: 9 October 2003, Sean Penn, © 2003 Warner Brothers

With Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River set to premiere on AMC this Sunday, July 13th, at 8pm/7c, M&C decided to do a list of some of the best collaborations between the world of movies and the world of literature.There are so many films to choose from, and in such different genres and styles, it is hard to select just a few to showcase. On top of that, everyone has several favorites. In talking with friends, instead of a short list, the Books into Film titles I was compiling became more like a chronicle. How should one attempt to arrange these selections to make some sense? Well, it IS summertime, and there is a slightly relaxed and recreational touch to life, even in the 8 to 5 workplaces. So, in keeping with the old summer reading lists, how about a summer movie list? Imagine relaxing in a cool room with a movie or two from our list, good friends to share the experience, and some refreshments. Kind of makes you want a popsicle, doesn’t it?

Mary Poppins Photo date: 1964 - Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews @Disney

For the very young:BBC’s Beatrix Potter Collection - there is nothing better than the beautiful rendering of Beatrix Potter’s timeless stories into animated features. BBC’s gorgeous Beatrix Potter Collection will keep the tots entertained with gentle stories and animated characters. Older children and adults will enjoy the scenes from the Lake District filmed at Beatrix’s beloved Hill Top Farm.Children have a wealth of book into film choices to explore including:Mary Poppins – Julie Andrews is the practically perfect nanny, based on the book series by P. L. Travers.The Black Stallion - Walter Farley’s classic horse story brought beautifully to lifeHeidi (the Shirley Temple version of course!) Little Women, - There are three Hollywood film versions of this Louisa May Alcott classic, the earliest with Katherine Hepburn as “Jo” followed by June Allison in the role, and the latest with Winona Ryder.Bed Knobs and Broomsticks – Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson with adorable evacuee children help protect the Island of Britain during WWII. This film was made by combining two books by Mary Norton, The Magic Bed Knob, and Bonfires and Broomsticks.20,000 Leagues Under the Sea – Classic Jules Verne adventure with Captain Nemo and the NautilusSwiss Family Robinson – Taken from the book by Johann Wyss, many children have grown up dreaming of living in the Robinson’s tree house.Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carrol’s tale of Alice’s strange adventures after falling down a rabbit hole.

Twenty Thousand (20,000) Leagues Under the Sea Photo date: 1954 - © 1954 Disney

Peter Pan – James M. Barrie’s classic story of the little boy who wouldn’t grow up.101 Dalmations -which was based on a book called The Twilight Barking written by English author Dodie Smith (who also wrote I Capture the Castle.)Top these selections off with:Harry Potter films - based on books written by J. K. RowlingA Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, the film was based on the first three books in the series.The Golden Compass – The first in a series by Philip Pullman of an alternate universe with talking armored bears and complex societies.The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe – by C. S. Lewis. Join the four children who discover the path to another world, Narnia, lies through the back of an old wardrobe in their uncle’s house.

The Spiderwick Chronicles

The Spiderwick Chronicles – by Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black will make you believe in the wonders that exist outside one’s vision. The film used the first three books in the series.Next on the list are some romantic selections:Love Story – Ali McGraw and Ryan O’Neal played the star crossed lovers in 1970 Harvard, spurring a fashion for preppy clothes, cloche hats and America’s love affair with the name Jennifer.The Girl with the Pearl Earring – A beautifully produced period film based on the novel by Tracy Chevalier in which Colin Firth smolders as an artist obsessed with the beauty and intelligence of his servant girl played by Scarlett Johannson.

Girl with a Pearl Earring Photo date: 15 January 2004, Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Photo by Japp Buitendijk - © 2003 Lions Gate Entertainment.

Doctor Zhivago - based on the book by Boris Pasternak, starring Omar Sharif and Julie Christie as the doctor and his beloved Lara. Atonement - One of the most recent beloved books to be turned into a film starring Keira Knightley, Atonement uses war time drama as a backdrop for a story of love and loss, misdeeds and atonement.Cold Mountain – Charles Frazier wrote this novel about the Civil War and one man’s struggle to return to those he loved. Jude Law and Nicole Kidman starred.Jane Eyre – There are multiple versions of this beloved novel on film. All are worth a look from the early Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles version to the most recent with Ruth and Toby Stephens.

Doctor Zhivago, Alec Guinness

Bridget Jones’s Diary – Helen Fielding first wrote Bridget’s adventures as a daily newspaper column. From there she became TWO novels, and finally two films. Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth star as Bridget and her Mr. Darcy.Stories that grabbed us when we read them, and made even greater impact on film:To Kill a Mocking Bird – Harper Lee’s novel reads like truth, and was translated into an unforgettable filmThe Firm – This John Grisham novel had readers hooked, and the film was able to keep the same level of anxiety as the fast paced writing.Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell’s magnum opus, a novel of love and death, war and peace, it probably should be in a category all by itself.

Gone with the Wind, Vivien Leigh,© 1998 - New Line Cinema Productions, Inc

Lord of the Rings – J. R. R. Tolkien’s fabulous chronicle of a quest for peace in Middle Earth. Books or films, you can’t go wrong!Anything James Bond – the novels by Ian Fleming were soon made into films that set styles around the world. They still have the same magic, whether vintage Bond with Sir Sean Connery or the new James Bond Daniel Craig.All The President’s Men – Which is beloved by journalism students the world over, in both book and film, taught us that everything is not always as it seems.In Cold Blood – Truth is more riveting than fiction, and this journey into the truth of a cold blooded murderer written by Truman Capote from interviews with the accused is an amazing work.

Casino Royale Photo date: 17 November 2006, Daniel Craig

And of course my colleague Jeff Swindoll was very happy to point out that Die Hard was a book first, a novel by Roderick Thorp called Nothing Lasts Forever. These are just some of the choices that we named, and I’m certain there are many we missed. Let us know about your favorite book to films!