Book to Film Adaptations - When the Film is Better

There are loads and loads of films out there that originated as books. Most of the time, the books are far far better than the films (case in point: Harry Potter).

However, there are films adaptations that I think are better than the book.

A few off the top of my head...

Atonement - I saw this last year and LOVED it. I liked it so much I had to go and buy the book it was based on. What a slog! The book was boring and I was amazed that such a great film had come from such a soulless novel.

The Notebook - A favourite film of mine but I could not get through the book.

Lord of the Rings - I love the LotR films, and after I saw the first one in the cinema for the first time I read the book series. I concede that they're good books, but I didn't like Tolkien's style of writing. He's too descriptive - ten pages to describe one short conversation is a little excessive, no? Heh, this almost feels like blasphemy to criticise Tolkien.

Anyway.

Have you ever seen a film that you think is better than the original book?

I tried to read the Notebook in 6th grade adn I got told I was to young to read it, so I stopped reading it, but from what I read, the movie was better.

I agree as well with the LotR - I am an avid reader but the book was way too drawn out (mick would disagree though).

I always feel so guilty for acknowledging liking the movies more than the books, especially when it comes to LoTR. Usually I am such a book snob... but I had to force myself to read them.

Hmmm, some movies that are better than the books- Less Than Zero (Robert Downey Jr, Andrew McCarthy and Jami Gertz. The book is by Bret Ellis Easton, and talk about a souless writer! I loved the movie growing up, but the book is horrible. He's also the author of American Psycho, but I've always found his literary talented to be highly overated. Sometimes a book that's written in a seemingly new, bold way is just a mask for poor talent.. I'm just saying... XD

Sound of Music, movie much better...

Beaches, I read the book because the movie was so incrediable, and I was hoping for an even larger connection to the characters. The book was okay, but it was a disappointment. But its been years since I read it, so maybe I would enjoy it more now.

And that's all I can think of at the moment!

Eimi - dude, I totally agree with all those three! I mean, I read The Notebook and Atonement, but I couldn't help but see the movies in ym head at some parts. I must admit that I liked the movies better.

...and this is where I have to confess something; I never survived through the first chapter in LotR xD It was just impossible for me.

I've got to disagree with you on the Notebook Amy, I read the book first and completely fell in love with it. Then I watched the movie and it was alright XD, but the book was great.

As for the other two... I haven't read/watched the books/movies XD

Lord of the rings the movie was soo much better than the book, i think iread the first two pages of the lord of the rings and got bord. So when the movie came out i didn't bother watching it thinking that it too would be rubbish but i watched it one night when it was on tv and i loved it.

Also i think the book holes was a bit long and dragged on a bit but i love the movie its one of my all time favorites... I can' think about anymore i have seen to many movies that have once been books lol

I think that the Bridge to Terebithia movie was better than the book.

Other than that, I haven't read many books that aren't as good as the movies.

I have to disagree with a lot of these..I absolutely adored the book The Notebook, and the movie just couldn't portray everything as it was suppoed to be and how the people felt.
Also, Katie, i though Bridge to Terabithia was wayy better as a book. The book was so much more sad and more real and relatable than the movie. The movie tried to make it out to be like a fantasy movie, which it completely isnt. It's a story about friendship and love and how to get through life. and the movie got rid of all of that.

I thought that The 5 People you meet in Heaven was better as a movie. I dont think i was even able to get though the book, but the movie was pretty good. Also, some by Stephan King, though I'm not sure I've actually read the books, like The Shining.

I didn't know that The 5 People You Meet in Heaven was a movie... huh. But I read that book and loved it so I might as well see the movie? haha

A movie that was better than its book? Huh... I'll go with LotR too. The movies are just so big and amazing, but the books were ridiculous. I couldn't get past the first page haha

(NOTE FROM ELFIE: THIS IS FOR BACKPACKING BADGE IN BADGE BURROW. THE TWO BACKPACKERS ARE WORKING ON A BADGE PLEASE DO NOT DELETE)

Violet returned and went to the tent. "I'm going to bed." She said, brushing her hair out. Changin into her night clothes, she climbed into her sleeping back. "Goodnight Stephy." She said and closed her eyes to fall asleep. After a few minites, Violet was out like a light.

(NOTE FROM ELFIE: THIS IS FOR BACKPACKING BADGE IN BADGE BURROW. THE TWO BACKPACKERS ARE WORKING ON A BADGE PLEASE DO NOT DELETE)

"Okay then. Dont let the bed bugs bite" Stephy said as she tended the fire. She then quickly found her sleeping bag in a pile on the ground and she decided that she should lay it out properly so that when she did decide to go to bed she wouldnt have to worry about trying to strighten it out

(NOTE FROM ELFIE: THIS IS FOR BACKPACKING BADGE IN BADGE BURROW. THE TWO BACKPACKERS ARE WORKING ON A BADGE PLEASE DO NOT DELETE)

Violet woke up the next morning and streched. Getting out of the tent, she walked around a bit before getting a bottle of water. "Stephy, rise and shine!" Violet yelled, walking over to her bread adn meat. "Sorry, but I have no breakfast food." She said, fixing her a sandwich.

(NOTE FROM ELFIE: THIS IS FOR BACKPACKING BADGE IN BADGE BURROW. THE TWO BACKPACKERS ARE WORKING ON A BADGE PLEASE DO NOT DELETE)

Stephy went to bed once she was sure the fire would be okay and in the morning she was awoken by Violet. "Thats okay" Stephy said to her sitting up. "I liked that sandwhich anyways" She then climbed out of her bag and headed over to Violet

The movie that stands out the most in my head as being better than the book is Stardust. I love the book, but the movie is far superior.

Ooo, yes! I agree Stardust was way better than the book! And also, as much as I love the Lord of the Rings series and thought it was fantastic, I really really enjoyed the movies, more so than the books even!

They were pretty good movie adaptions, so far as movie adaptions go =)

Anyone stoked about the new Hunger Games movie?? They've cast Katniss... I'm actually okay with this casting, though quite a few people are incensed.