Top Ten Book to Film Adaptations

“Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof. “

V for Vendetta

Oh, man.

1. The Lord of the Rings – J.R.R. Tolkien. Peter Jackson did an absolutely fantastic job of translating Middle-earth to the screen. The Return of the King especially is perfect. The Hobbit, on the other hand, is my absolute least favourite film ever made.
2. Les Miserables – Victor Hugo. I haven’t actually read the book (I know, bad English Student!) but wow. The film with Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe just blew me away.
3. Cloud Atlas – David Mitchell. I know a lot of people hated this film, but for me it really worked in all its flawed brilliance. I came out of the cinema feeling the same as I did when I finished the book, which is exactly what you want from a film adaptation.
4. Stardust – Neil Gaiman. The book I hated. The film, on the other hand…It’s endlessly comforting, and endlessly wonderful, full of pirates and witches and skyships and everything that is good. I never get tired of it.
5. V for Vendetta – Alan Moore. Again, I haven’t read the book, but this film makes me cry every time, and that bit at the end is just fantastic.
6. Catching Fire – Suzanne Collins. Another really faithful adaptation of the book. I loved the mockingjay dress, and the bit where they all hold hands.
7. The Time Traveler’s Wife – Audrey Niffenegger. I know, it’s sappy. But I enjoyed it.
8. Bridget Jones’ Diary – Helen Fielding. I refuse to be ashamed of this. It’s hilarious, OK? Everyone’s got a little bit of Bridget in them.
9. Going Postal – Terry Pratchett. I’m not convinced that this is actually a very good film, but it was such a delight as a fan to be able to visit the Discworld visually, to revel in its colour and its life. It renders Ankh-Morpork so vibrantly. And Charles Dance makes an excellent Patrician.
10. Hamlet – William Shakespeare. The One With David Tennant. Need I say more?

(The theme for this post was suggested by the Broke and the Bookish’s weekly meme Top Ten Tuesday.)