I like book adaptations. Generally. There have been a few that have just made me want to rip out my eyeballs (The Hobbit, Ready Player One, etc.). I pride myself on being able to see past necessary changes needed for movies/TV, within reason of course.
For me, if an adaptation captures the feeling or essence of the book, then I’m pretty happy. Though there have been adaptations that do capture the feeling (the 2017 Anne of Green Gables series) but have a crazy amount of unnecessary plot deviations that irk me.
Here are my favourite movie/TV adaptations (in no particular order).
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
The Harry Potter purists will whinge about how the movies leave out important plot points and sometimes even characters (R.I.P. Peeves), but the first Harry Potter movie completely brings to life the world of J.K. Rowling’s imagination. And of course, the first book is much lighter and shorter than the later books, which makes it easier to adapt in general.
I grew up reading the books, anticipating them as they came out, and I also grew up watching the movies. As a child, watching my favourite characters and places come to life was simply amazing.
Fun anecdote: When I was 11 years old, I wrote to Warner Brothers asking them if I could be in the next movie (Prisoner of Azkaban) as an extra… I didn’t get a reply.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy
When I watch these movies with my father, I always laugh at him when he grumbles and gripes about all the things Peter Jackson got wrong. But, he is a Tolkien purist. When I was a wee lass, I was read The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit (mostly) and have since re-read The Hobbit and am in the process of re-reading The Lord of the Rings.
Disregarding the travesty that are The Hobbit movies, I think Peter Jackson does a decent job on these. By using real landscapes, real people, and not as much CGI, he was able to make Middle Earth feel very authentic. I won’t even start on the music. I LOVE the soundtrack (especially in the scene I’ve included).
The Great Gatsby (2012)
Another movie with an amazing soundtrack. I never had to read The Great Gatsby for school, I read it for fun and fell in love. Reading F. Scott Fitzgerald’s writing is like eating a decadent cheesecake.
This movie really encompasses the feel of Gatsby’s world. The characters are just as vibrant and colourful as the space they occupy. In my opinion, I think Leo’s career was leading up to him playing Gatsby. He’s perfect.
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
My apologies to Colin Firth, but this adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel is beautiful and captures a more rugged, authentic feeling. I enjoy Keira Knightly’s understated performance of Lizzie Bennet. But, I think my favourite part is the wonderful English countryside.
Give me a Regency era dress, a book, and some rolling English hills and I’d be set for life.
Honorable Mention: Bride and Prejudice!
The Magicians (TV series)
This is actually the first adaptation where I like the adaptation better than the actual book. I read about 85% of The Magicians before I finally gave up. Now, this isn’t a review of the book, but of the show. I’ve watched it from the beginning and I’ve consistently enjoyed it. The plot deviates quite a bit from the book, but I actually like where the show went compared to the book. I actually care about the characters in the TV series, where I didn’t care about them in the book. I think that says something.
Anne of Green Gables (1985)
I mentioned earlier that the most recent adaptation of Anne Shirley’s adventures in Avonlea has left me disappointed, but the 1985 mini-series is an absolute gem. I grew up reading Anne of Green Gables and I still pick up the books if I need a literary breath of fresh air. I am a self-proclaimed Anne purist.
This series follows the story fairly close and Meghan Follows will always be Anne for me. The mini-series captures the whimsical nature of L.M. Montgomery’s books in a way the recent series has not quite managed.
Gone Girl
I think I saw the movie before I read the book (the horror!), but the movie was so good that I really wanted to read it. I loved the book just as much. Rosamund Pike as Amy and Ben Affleck as Nick are perfectly cast. This is one movie that I actually like Ben Affleck in. The atmosphere of the movie matches the book wonderfully and makes up for a simplified plot. Though what they can fit in the movie works well for the format.
These are a bunch of my favourites, but what are some of your favourite movie/TV book adaptations? Let me know in the comments!
Jenna Goldsmith 