When movies come close to the book.

protector2814 · 01-16-2008, 09:21 AM

It's a rare occurence, kind of like a full lunar eclipse or the 17 year locusts, but every once in a while a movie comes out based on a book, that comes close to leaving the viewer satisfied that the intrepretation was done well. On another thread, Cage mentioned The Godfather. I agree. The Godfather was one of the few. In 1989, t.v.'s Lonesome Dove, i.m.o., came damn close to honoring the myth of McMurty's epic Western.
What movies do you all think are as good as their written source material? Which come closest?

RichBamf · 01-16-2008, 09:25 AM

I actually think the only book that is BETTEr than the novel is Stephen King's 'The Shining'.

The book is boring, but the film is amazing.

I think the LOTR films were as close to the book as they could be, given the length.

thecallahan · 01-16-2008, 09:44 AM

Shining is a good one, although it doesn't come close to staying close to the original material

cougartrace · 01-16-2008, 09:45 AM

I agree the LOTR was as close to the books as humanly possible.

tuv1305 · 01-16-2008, 09:51 AM

I think Needfull Things came about as close as anything I have seen.

JLM · 01-16-2008, 10:15 AM

I think that Out of Sight was better than the book.

Other movies where I'd say that the film was as good as the book would be:

L A Confidential
The Invisible Man (the 1930's version directed by James Whale)
Fight Club

I'll probably add some more later.

Has anyone read Jaws? How does that compare?

protector2814 · 01-16-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan74

I think that Out of Sight was better than the book.
Other movies where I'd say that the film was as good as the book would be:
L A Confidential
The Invisible Man (the 1930's version directed by James Whale)
Fight Club
I'll probably add some more later.
Has anyone read Jaws? How does that compare?

I read Jaws as a kid and I remember there was an adultry passage in the book between Richard Dreyfus' character and the wife of the Chief. Also, Richard Dreyfus' character did not survive in the end of the novel. The shark chowed-down on him.

JLM · 01-16-2008, 10:32 AM

I knew that there was a sub plot about Hooper and Brody's wife. Didn't know he became shark food though.

Do you think the movie surpassed the book?

TNovak · 01-16-2008, 10:39 AM

"No Country for Old Men" follows the book almost exactly, but inexplicably leaves out a chapter at the very end.

One that I think is very different from the book is "Planet of the Apes", the book has an entirely different level of advancement for the apes and a completely different ending.

protector2814 · 01-16-2008, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan74

I knew that there was a sub plot about Hooper and Brody's wife. Didn't know he became shark food though.

Do you think the movie surpassed the book?

Sorry. man - I snuck the book from a DrugFair when I was 11. I remember that there were dirty parts and that Brody lived. Too much time has passed for me to compare.