My Favorite Book to Film Adaptation(s)
By Jeff Salter
Earlier this week, I got the impression this was a repeated topic — basically the same as what we dealt with in January 2015 … five years ago.
However, now that I examine that earlier blog carefully, I find it was actually a two-parter.
# 1 was movies we saw because we’d read and enjoyed a book
https://fourfoxesonehound.wordpress.com/2015/01/22/after-the-book-had-to-see-the-film/
# 2 was books we read because we’d seen and enjoyed a movie
https://fourfoxesonehound.wordpress.com/2015/01/29/from-film-to-paper/
Now, to the issue at hand for THIS week — namely, what is my favorite book to film adaptation? Well, gosh, how on earth could I pick just ONE?
So, as I often do here at 4F1H, I’ll name several titles (and these will be titles for which I’ve enjoyed BOTH the book and the film… irrespective of which one I experienced FIRST).
To Kill A Mockingbird
Band of Brothers [became an HBO mini-series]
Day of the Jackal
The Eagle Has Landed
From Russia With Love
The Right Stuff
Deliverance
The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming [from the novel, “The Off-Islanders”]
Being a lover of film and a lover of books, it may not surprise you that I could likely provide another dozen “favorite” examples. But let’s leave it with these eight titles.
Question:
What is YOUR favorite book to film adaptation?
[JLS # 469]
Angela Schroeder
Patricia Kiyono
Elaine Cantrell
Jeff Salter
Joselyn
Tonette Joyce
Four Foxes, One Hound 
I know that tomorrow’s post from me with be basically a repeat of which movies I think are the best, as in ‘most faithful’ adaptations, and I will mention the books which were greatly improved when adapted to the screen.
Of the books and movies I that I personally know of the ones you brought up, Jeff, I think that your choices are very good indeed.
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thank you, ma’am…
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I don’t generally watch a film THEN read the book, so I can’t comment to that. There are occasional book-to-film adaptations that I have seen that get it right, or at least enough to where I have enjoyed it. Many of those include Stephen King titles. And then there are those that do a poor job (and a couple of Stephen King titles fall under this category, too).
But the one book-to-film that comes to mind is Anne Rice’s Interview With The Vampire. While I felt one of the lead characters was horribly miscast (Tom Cruise *shudders*), the movie is my favorite adaptation.
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I’ve seen portions of that Vampire Interview… and I also agree that Cruise was not the right actor to cast in the leading role.
However, I’ve never read the novel it was based on.
I did read one novel by author Rice, but it wasn’t about vampires.
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I think he film adaptation of The Godfather is one of my favorites. I think the film was much better than the book. The author, Mario Puzo agreed with me. The original a Superman with Christopher Reeve May not qualify since it came from a comic book, but it is one of my favorite film adaptations. The movie took a comic book character and made him real. And, Gene Hackman.
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I loved the first two Godfather flicks… though all the flashbacks were distracting. I’ve heard about a version that was “re-cut” in chrono order but I’ve never found a copy to view.
I think I’d like it.
That original Superman movie was terrific, and Hackman did play a terrific villain.
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I’m not at all surprised that you’re unable to choose just one. But the teacher in me compels me to point out that you answered only the first part of the question. The second part asks WHY you enjoyed these titles. I’ve never read or seen any of these titles, so if I suddenly experienced an urge to become more acquainted with movies, why would I want to see these?
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I had to cut short my effort / time on today’s blog. My son and his family have been here since Sat. afternoon and I haven’t had two minutes to stick together — to concentrate on my normal writing activities.
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LOL…We’ve been hearing this tale from your for over a month now, Jeff. I think you’re just taking a break. LOL
I could have added a few more favorites too, but we all know what my real favorites are by now. HA!
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