Your teacher always told you that watching the movie was never as good as reading the book. That’s true most of the time, but sometimes Hollywood comes pretty freaking close to the written word. That is why I’ve compiled the 10 best books converted into movies. Before you send me hastily written scribbles asking why Shakespeare is not represented on this list of epic achievement, the answer is: Shakespeare deserves his own list. So without further ado:
1. Jane Eyre (2006): I will always remember this movie as being the film during which a dear friend of mine turned to me and said, “If a vampire jumps out and eats [Jane Eyre], I’ll kill you.” If that doesn’t get you curious, nothing will. This movie perfectly captures the gothic, windswept atmosphere of Thornfield Hall and its crotchety owner Edward Rochester. My only quibble is that the burns are not quite bad enough, but are easily overlooked given the obvious chemistry between Jane and Rochester that was so sorely lacking in all previous silver screen adaptations.
2. Pride and Prejudice (1995): I couldn’t create this top 10 list without including this film starring Jennifer Ehle and Collin Firth as the illustrious leads. No film based upon Jane Austen’s most popular book has so captured the feel of her subtle wit quite like this series. Mrs. Bennett’s nerves and Mr. Darcy’s sexy pond scene make this a fun film for all.
3. Schindler’s List(1993): I had no idea that Steven Spielberg’s Oscar winning film was based on a book until I stumbled upon a well-worn copy in a dark back corner of The Strand bookstore. I laughed at Schindler’s antics and cried when I learned the little girl in the red coat was not just a metaphor created by Spielberg. Every difficult and heartwarming page, like the movie, reminds us that this list is life.
4. Sense and Sensibility (1995): The 90s was a good decade for Austen fans. Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Colonel Brandon more than makes up for Hugh Grant’s blundering attempt to be Edward Ferrars. Add Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet as two sisters struggling with live, love, and corsets and you have a wonderful vacation to aristocratic Britain.
5. The Scarlet Pimpernel(1982): Rather than simply portraying one book on screen, this film deftly portrays events from all nine books in The Scarlet Pimpernel series. Made-for-TV in the late 1980s this film features Jane Seymour with an amazing head of hair – you laugh now, but just wait. It also has one of the most overbearing soundtracks that you’ll ever hear. But don’t let that dissuade you, this film is worth every minute thanks to the genius of Anthony Andrews as the hero and Sir Ian McKellan as … well, you’ll just have to watch to find out.
6. Anna Karenina (2000): Who knew adultery could end so badly? The book is at least two inches thick; containing however many words are needed to fill a ream of paper. Needless to say, few movie adaptations have been able to capture Tolstoy’s real intentions for his story. Thankfully, Helen McCrory and Kevin McKidd are pretty darn close. You’ll never look at a train the same way again.
7. Les Miserables (1998): Two words: Geoffrey Rush. Two more words: Liam Neeson. Need I say more? Yes. Odds are, if you haven’t braved Anna Karinina, you won’t be attempting to slog through this book. That’s exactly why you need to see this film. Understandably, characters and themes are missing from the 1400 (give or take) page work, but the heart of the story stays true. The only disappointment is that this version’s ending comes far too soon as compared to the original story arc.
8. The Princess Bride (1987): What to say about the book that says it all. This book has romance, comedy, swordfights, and hats. The only thing it doesn’t have is the film’s kindly grandfather reading to Fred Savage. Instead we have the “author’s” humor tale of how he got his favorite childhood story published. You will laugh, you will cry. You will wonder why you hadn’t read it sooner.
9. Ivanhoe (1982): Another made-for-TV gem with Anthony Andrews in the starring role. This time he is Ivanhoe the disinherited son of a long line of proud Saxons with bad hair – which he, happily, has also not inherited. He has returned to regain his birthright and (of course) get the girl. Olivia Hussey stars as the lovely Rebecca; John Rhys Davies is a bastard; and Robin Hood gets a cameo. What’s not to love?
10. Vanity Fair(2004): Hot damn! Reese Witherspoon heats up this movie with a passion for social climbing that cannot be stopped – even if the roadblocks come in the form of a rouge husband with terrible luck and a son who desperately wants to be loved. Believe it or not this is a kind portrayal of William Thackerey’s tempestuous character – and don’t we all love to hate her.
Honorable Mentions: I know many of you are dying to know why The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and The Chronicles of Narnia didn’t make it onto this list. The simple answer is they are above the list. All three are excellent movie series’ that hold well to the originals even as they take liberal artistic license. You should watch and even own all three collections – getting the extended editions where possible.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
