What book have you read that was made into a movie, yet stayed almost exactly true to the book? For me it was Silence of the Lambs.
And what movie have you seen that was made from a book, yet was actually better than the book? For me it was Interview with a Vampire.
Just curious what people will say.
2006-08-03 09:33:37 · 26 answers · asked by Eldritch 5 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Movies
Apparently bplbrenda is Anne Rice's YA name.
2006-08-03 09:58:33 · update #1
"Jarhead" remained pretty close to the book, though the book had more of an emotional effect on me, personally.
"Shopgirl," the movie with Claire Danes and Jason Schwartzman was better than Steve Martin's novel, though the novel was still good.
And another aspect of the same theme is when a book is good and the movie is good, but is completely untrue to the book it's based on.
Example: the novel "Starship Troopers," by Robert A. Heinlein was one of my favorite books as a kid. The only thing the Paul Verhoeven movie had in common with the book was the title. Even though the movie was a complete failure when viewed as an interpretation of Mr. Heinlein's vision, it was still a kickass movie.
2006-08-03 09:36:36 · answer #1 · answered by automaticmax 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Great question... I hadn't really thought about it before but now that I've given it some thought I think both are adapted from John Irving books...
THE HOTEL NEW HAMPSHIRE follows the story line from the novel VERY closely. It's fair to say that those who have read the book previously will enjoy the film. However, film is an entirely different medium and I don't think the plot works as well on the big screen as it did in print. In the novel, Irving can give insight into the characters and their motivations. This may explain why the movie was a minor disappointment at the box office.
SIMON BIRCH, on the other hand, was based on Irving's novel A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY and was so far removed from the book that Irving insisted that the main character not be named Owen Meany (hence Simon Birch was used instead) and that the film be listed as "inspired by" the book instead of "based on" the book. Still, taken on it's own, it's a WONDERFUL movie and, in my opinion, works better on film than the original story would have. Plus, you have terrific performances by Oliver Platt, Ashley Judd and Ian Michael Smith.
Just my two cents. :)
2006-08-03 16:50:49 · answer #2 · answered by exnavykds 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firestarter by Stephen King was almost exactly the same as the book. Anne Rice wrote Interview with a Vampire and I am sorry but the book was so much better than the movie. Her writing had me feel and understand more about what was going on than the movie ever could.
2006-08-03 16:42:11 · answer #3 · answered by curious-casper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the movie which was true to the actual story as in the book was, "Cider house rules!" John Irving was apparently intricately involved in the production and to a certain degree in the direction of the movie. He even had a small role in the movie. This personal touch was obvious as the quality of the movie was as close to the book as you could possibly get.
The movie which, according to me, was better than the book had to be, " The perfect storm." The actors which were chosen for the part of these real people were all larger than life. The movie direction and the special effects were much better than the book.
2006-08-03 16:58:28 · answer #4 · answered by Chandru M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never seen a movie that stayed true to a book, or did the writer any justice. I think it's almost impossible to communicate thoughts & feelings on screen the way some authors can with a book. The movies just go by too fast & can't deal with the intricate details a book can.
2006-08-03 16:39:04 · answer #5 · answered by applpro 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Pride and Prejudice movie that starred Colin Firth (1995) is exactly like the book.. minus a few parts.
As for a movie that was better than the book.. Hmmm, Maybe the Harry Potter ones.
Hmm, but the books are so good too.
Hard question
2006-08-03 20:38:23 · answer #6 · answered by Gabriella P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have yet to find a book that has been turned into a movie that the movie is better than the book or even close to the book.
The closest that has come so far would maybe be Secret Window.
2006-08-03 16:58:28 · answer #7 · answered by unknwndreamer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
books made into movies that were very true to the book, I'd say first Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, The Green Mile, The Shaw shank Redemption
As for movies from books that are better, I can't think of any right now, I know there are some that I have seen and enjoyed more than the book as hard as that is to believe, but I need time to think about it.
2006-08-03 16:43:11 · answer #8 · answered by Slam64 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Other than the order of events Fight Club was very close to the book. Also, and thank God, The Lord of the Rings was very true to the book. Generally books are always better because you can get so much more detail in and you have a better understanding of why things are happening.
2006-08-03 16:39:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fight club - both the book and the movie were brilliant and told the same story. Helena Boneham Carter made the movie more enjoyable than the book.
Bonfire of the vanities - The book was lousy the movie was tolerable.
2006-08-03 16:42:19 · answer #10 · answered by df382 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋