Which movies are the most faithful adaptations of books?
#1
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Which movies are the most faithful adaptations of books?
Reading through the DaVinci Code threads, it seems some people think the movie was quite faithful to the book, while others say there were lots of changes.
I think it is pretty much accepted that some changes are inevitable, since we are talking about two completely different mediums - but which movie adaptations do you think are the most faithful, either in point-by-point comparisions, or in capturing the tone and spirit of the source material?
I think it is pretty much accepted that some changes are inevitable, since we are talking about two completely different mediums - but which movie adaptations do you think are the most faithful, either in point-by-point comparisions, or in capturing the tone and spirit of the source material?
Last edited by marty888; 05-23-06 at 06:06 PM.
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Based on what I have seen/read these movies are all pretty faithful to the books:
- The 13th Warrior (from the book Eaters of the Dead)
- Bram Stoker's Dracula (main addition was the love story)
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Depp movie was closer to the book)
- Chronicles of Narnia
- Fight Club (book's ending was the main difference)
- Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas
- Interview With the Vampire
- The Last Man on Earth (from the book I Am Legend)
- Lord of the Rings (Tom Bombadil was the main deleted portion from the book)
- The Ninth Gate (from the book The Club Dumas, the movie dropped the Dumas storyline, but everything else felt close enough)
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
- The 13th Warrior (from the book Eaters of the Dead)
- Bram Stoker's Dracula (main addition was the love story)
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Depp movie was closer to the book)
- Chronicles of Narnia
- Fight Club (book's ending was the main difference)
- Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas
- Interview With the Vampire
- The Last Man on Earth (from the book I Am Legend)
- Lord of the Rings (Tom Bombadil was the main deleted portion from the book)
- The Ninth Gate (from the book The Club Dumas, the movie dropped the Dumas storyline, but everything else felt close enough)
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Last edited by fryinpan1; 05-23-06 at 06:30 PM.
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The Haunting (1963) The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Shawshank Redemption although there are some slight changes is in my opinion better than the novella.
Green Mile
Dances With Wolves
Get Shorty
The Outsiders
I liked The Rainmaker and A Time to Kill even though they're not too faithful to the books, other than those two I've yet to see a John Grisham adaptation that I liked or was truly faithful to the original work. I have some hope that a better version of the Firm (maybe a TV miniseries) will be made.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Shawshank Redemption although there are some slight changes is in my opinion better than the novella.
Green Mile
Dances With Wolves
Get Shorty
The Outsiders
I liked The Rainmaker and A Time to Kill even though they're not too faithful to the books, other than those two I've yet to see a John Grisham adaptation that I liked or was truly faithful to the original work. I have some hope that a better version of the Firm (maybe a TV miniseries) will be made.
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The Running Man (Steven King novel) - wasnt this more disturbing than the movie? I've heard in the book that its not just some Gladiators rejects who try to hunt Arnie down but the audience (basically everybody) try to kill him, and he is doing the show because its the only way he can afford treatment for his dying wife.
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Originally Posted by fryinpan1
I have the book, but have not read it yet. Is the movie really different?
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Back in my college fiction to film class we watched the "The Great Gatsby" with Robert Redford as an example of a very faithful adaptation that didn't necessarily work.
Here is a link to Ebert's review for one take on this film adaptation:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/...401010315/1023
Here is a link to Ebert's review for one take on this film adaptation:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/...401010315/1023
#19
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Ordinary People
The Firm (at least until the conclusion)
Hearts in Atlantis; Hawaii (both faithfully-made PORTIONS of greatly amplified stories)
Beloved (to its detriment)
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (to its GREAT favor)
The Firm (at least until the conclusion)
Hearts in Atlantis; Hawaii (both faithfully-made PORTIONS of greatly amplified stories)
Beloved (to its detriment)
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (to its GREAT favor)
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Originally Posted by TomOpus
2001: A Space Odyssey - Weren't they both worked on at the same time?
I think 2001: A Space Odyssey wins most faithful book adapted from a movie.
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Mystic River