Well hello, you. Did you know, I am now a lady of luxury. I have recovered from my exhaustion of having finished uni (FOREVER) and am now getting into the swing of doing absolutely nothing. I also just finished series four of Call the Midwife and MY HEART. Which is fitting, because today, I’m not going to talk about books. Well, just a little bit.
This week’s theme is:
Top Ten Movies Adaptations that didn’t Kill the Book
It’s a movie freebie this week! Usually I run away when someone says something that is not book related (both on the internet and in real life) but I thought, no! Today, I shall stake my flag and yell PLUMS very loudly, because why not. That would be a very satisfying thing to do, indeed. But yes. Let’s talk about movie adaptations that actually weren’t all that bad. Brace yourself, I ain’t sticking to ten. On with the show!
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted over @ The Broke and the Bookish and each week there’s a different theme that we get to make a list about featuring ten related books. It’s so much fun and the topics are always great! It’s also a fabulous way to learn more about people’s reading adventures and I recommend heading over to the official page to do some exploring through the link up.
cover = IMDB
#1
The Light Between Oceans
Released: 2016
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Writers: Derek Cianfrance (screen), M. L. Stedman (novel)
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander
This is a magnificent piece of cinematography (holy cow I could not spell that word, sheesh.) I recently saw the movie (as it only just came out) and I am currently reading it. It is set in Western Australia (where I’m from! See, flag staking is relevant. And you thought I was mad) and follows the story of a couple that live on a lighthouse and . . . sort of steel a child? It’s complicated. It’s fantastic. Read it, watch it, love it. EMBRACE the Australian accents that shall grace your ears in the film if nothing else.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// IN CINEMAS NOW //
#2
The Water Diviner
Released: 2014
Director: Russell Crowe
Writers: Andrew Anastasios, Andrew Knight
Starring: Russell Crowe, Olga Kurylenko
I think it must be something to do with Australia when it comes to good adaptations (although don’t watch the movie called Australia, apparently it’s bad). The Water Diviner is set just after WWI and stars the magnificently glorious Russell Crowe (*fans self*, don’t look at me like that, he’s ruggedly handsome – sort of like Robert Redford . . . what?!). Anyway, the story follows a father whose three sons are MIA and he wants to find their remains and bring them home. You’ll cry like a baby.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// BUY THE FILM //
#3
If I Stay
Released: 2014
Director: R. J. Cutler
Writers: Shauna Cross (screen), Gayle Forman (novel)
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Jamie Blackley
This has to be one of the most accurate adaptations out there. This is a beautiful story (and the protagonist is a cellist!! That’s exciting, alright. Look excited) and follows Mia who has been in a car crash with her family and the whole thing is basically an out of body experience as she decides whether or not to stay or pass on. Keep those tissues out.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// BUY THE FILM //
#4
The Fault in Our Stars
Released: 2014
Direct: Josh Boone
Writers: Scoot Neustadter, Michael H. Weber (screen),
John Green (novel)
*passes tissues*, I’m just flat out being cruel in my selection now, aren’t I? I loved this movie. I loved this book. I think they did a marvellous job of transferring it to screen, even if it tears your heart up into teeny tiny pieces. If you like one, you’ll like the other.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// BUY THE FILM //
#5
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Released: 2016
Director: Tim Burton
Writers: Jane Goldman (screen), Ransom Riggs (novel)
Starring: Eva Green, Asa Butterfield
I was very surprised by this adaptation. I hadn’t finished the book when I went to see the movie but it was really good! Whilst both are quite different from each other, I think the adaptation is a wonderful one and well worth the watch.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// DVD NOT RELEASE YET //
#6
The BFG
Released: 2016
Director: Steven Spielberg
Writers: Melissa Mathison (screen), Roald Dahl (novel)
Starring: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill
If you didn’t run to the cinema when this one came out then I’m not entirely sure what you’re doing with your life. The BFG is one of my favourite children’s books by the amazing Roald Dahl. The movie was magical, fun and everything you hoped it would be.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// BUY THE FILM //
#7
The Martian
Released: 2015
Director: Ridley Scott
Writers: Drew Goddard (screen), Andy Weir (novel)
Starring: Matt Damon
Now, this one I put on here because I thin the acting was brilliant and it’s a good story. However, the book is leagues ahead of the film. I hate that they added a bit onto the ending. It’s like Hollywood couldn’t finish without some cliche. It was nice, but frustrated me. But overall this is a fabulous movie and I laughed a lot.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// BUT THE FILM //
#8
The Tale of Despereaux
Released: 2008
Directors: Sam Fell, Robert Stevenhagen
Writers: Will McRobb (screen), Gary Ross, Chris Viscardi (screen) Kate DiCamillo (novel)
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Emma Watson, Dustin Hoffman
This is the most adorable story, ever. It also stars Emma Watson which is always a good thing. I think the movie is a very true adaptation of the book and it’s a wonderful little adventure about a mouse who wants to be a knight in shining armour.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// BUY THE FILM //
#9
Stardust
Released: 2007
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Writers: Jane Goldman (screen), Matthew Vaughn (screen), Neil Gaiman (novel)
Starring: Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Sienna Miller
This story is absolutely crazy. I saw the film before I read the book and from what I remember (it’s been a while now) the movie was actually quite good. It’s as weird and wonderful as you expect from Gaiman, but a story well worth your time for a good laugh.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// BUY THE FILM //
#10
Divergent
Released: 2014
Director: Neil Burger
Writers: Evan Daugherty (screen), Vanessa Taylor (screen), Veronica Roth (novel)
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James
Ah, Divergent. The first movie was just so promising, wasn’t it? I loved this series so much but good lord they murdered the movies after this one. If you’ve read the books and are planning on watching the films, maybe watch the first one and then leave it there?
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// BUY THE FILM //
#11
Pride & Prejudice
Released: 2005
Director: Joe Wright
Writers: Deborah Moggach (screen), Jane Austen (novel)
Starring: Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn
A good old classic! Whilst there have been several takes on this story, this is the version that I’m most familiar with and enjoy. Mostly, I’m just a fan of Macfadyen but yes, this movie is as beautiful as the book and you need to watch it if you haven’t.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// BUY THE FILM //
#12
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Released: 2005
Director: Garth Jennings
Writers: Douglas Adams (screen & novel), Karey Kirkpatrick (screen)
Starring: Martin Freeman, Yasiin Bey, Sam Rockwell
This is another case where I’ve watched the movie first!! I don’t think I would have stood much of a chance without having seen it first. It’s a very confusing series that is utterly brilliant, but it’s nice to have someone nut it out before you try, yourself.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// BUY THE FILM //
#13
The Hunger Games
Released: 2012
Director: Gary Ross
Writers: Gary Ross (screen), Suzanne Collins (screen & novel)
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
I think this is arguably one of the most successful adaptations. The Hunger Games is a phenomenal franchise and I enjoyed it immensely. I will always prefer the books but dang, those movies did a really good job. Can we hire Gary Ross for more things? Yes? Good.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// BUY THE FILM //
#14
The Book Thief
Released: 2013
Director: Brian Percival
Writers: Michael Petroni (screen), Markus Zusak (novel)
Starring: Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Roger Allam, Nico Liersch
But the one that really takes the cake, is this beauty. I cannot express my love for this story enough. Both the movie and the book are beyond words. You will cry your little heart out but good god is it worth it. This is one of the most beautiful works of anything out there. Hands down.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// BUY THE FILM //
#15
The Railway Man
Released: 2013
Director: Jonathan Teplitzky
Writers: Frank Cottrell Boyce (screen), Andy Paterson (screen), Eric Lomax (novel)
Starring: Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman, Jeremy Irvine
This film will really move you. This is the final one on my list (we made it!) as it’s the memoirs of a war veteran. I think they did a wonderful job in representing and recreating the horror that Lomax went through and it’s certainly eye-opening for the things that some men have experienced in their lives.
// GOODREADS // BUY THE BOOK //
// BUY THE FILM //
What’s your favourite book to film adaptation?
Share your thoughts below!
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Upside-Down Books 
This just reminds me of everything I still need to read so I can watch it haha 😛
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haha I have a list like that too – so many movies I’ve stopped myself from watching until I’ve read the book!!
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Fantastic list! So many movies for so many books! And I have the feeling there are even more book to movie adaptations nowadays. And so the list grows longer. 😛
– Lashaan
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Thanks! There are definitely a lot of adaptations lately, that’s for sure!
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I love this list! I haven’t seen the light between oceans or read the book yet, however I have heard that both are really good. I loved the first Divergent, thought it was really good. But this is going to sound really shallow…I didn’t like the second movie mostly because of how she cut her hair. It really, really bothered me, and I wouldn’t usually let something like that get to me. But she was annoying with it so maybe that’s why?
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I’m currently reading The Light Between the Oceans and its such a beautiful story! I hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
Hahaha that is solid reasoning right there 😂😂 the second movie was just disappointing in every way, for me!
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OMG YES. CONGRATS! Finishing uni is such a big deal, I’m so happy and proud for you!!
The movies on this list are great! Especially PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AHHHHHH I feel feels every time I watch it! ESPECIALLY THAT SCENE. You know, the rainy scene and he confesses? *dies inside*
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Thank you!! I love P&P so much! I’m about to sit down and watch Sense & Sensibility with Rickman etc again and it gives me all the same feels ❤️ BUT YES THAT RAIN SCENE AHHHH
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I actually just watched the final part of Mockingjay the other day and was actually blown away by how it was adapted. SO GOOD. Seriously, the whole Finnick scene was exactly how I’d imagined it in my head when I read the book.
Love this list! I pretty much agreed with at least half of them, lol.
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Omigoodness yes!! That scene with Finnick is 100% how I imagined it too! It’s amazing how well that series was done ✨ Thanks!
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Great picks for this week Kirstie. I haven’t seen many of these but the ones I have are favourites of mine, and some of my ultimate favourite book to film adaptations as well. The Book Thief is probably my ultimate favourite though. I loved the book so much so obviously I had really high expectations for the film. Luckily it more than lived up to them and I was in tears by the end. I really want to see Miss Peregrine’s at some point as well. I’ve heard great things about it and the fact that you added it to your list this week tells me it’s a movie I’ll love as much as the book! 😀
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Do you know what – I have to share this with someone – I just worked out that the director for The Book Thief also directed some Downton Abbey episodes! I was like THAT’S why it’s so good. Ahem.
Let’s hope you do love it!! I hadn’t got to the end of the book before seeing the movie so that might change my opinion but I think they made good changes to the ending. Thanks!
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I haven’t ever watched Downtown Abbey before but plenty of people have said it’s amazing so yeah I guess that is why it’s so good then! 🙂
Normally films do have to change things just because what makes a book successful isn’t the same as what makes a film successful but hopefully I’ll enjoy Miss Peregrines either way! 🙂
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It’s ammaaazing – I highly recommend the series 😊🎉
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The Martian is one of my favourites. I need to watch it again!! And read the book, haha.
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Yes!! You can’t get enough of the Martian!
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I am so ashamed because I need to see so many on this list!
1)The Book Thief – I freaking loved the book, so why the hell haven’t I watched the movie? I blame my kids for frying my brain cells.
2) Stardust – Tristran is my new book boyfriend, so I obviously need to see this one.
3) The Martian – need tobread book & watch the movie 😑
4) The BFG – I actually got my son the read the book by telling him I would take him to see the movie… then I didn’t. Mom fail.
5) Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children – just recently read this (after reading your review actually) and really want to see how they put this one together!
6) The Light Between Oceans – this book messed me up psychologically. I hate that I felt bad for Isabel… that crazy bitch lol I was a hot mess throughout the second half of this book. I can’t imagine how I would be watching this movie 😭
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Hahahaha omg your description of TLBO 😂😂 the movie is spectacular though!! Definitely, DEFINITELY go and see if. Isabel is a lot crazier in the book of you ask me.
And – WATCH THE BOOK THIEF DANGIT. You don’t understand feels until you’ve seen that movie!
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