I’m taking a break from my Community marathon to join in this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s theme is a Top Ten Freebie, meaning each blogger can pick their own theme. I’ve looked through the past themes, and chosen:
Top Ten Book to Film Adaptations
1. The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
Films directed by Peter Jackson – one of my favourite book and film series. I know there is plenty that was changed, added or left out, but I believe that Peter Jackson created the very best he could without making something that was days long, nor cutting out too much. I know Tom Bombadil would have been awesome but would he really have been necessary? Yes, it was Glorfindel, not Arwen, who took Frodo to Rivendell and over the Bruinen Ford, but Jackson and co worried that the lack of female characters would cause complaints – and as an avid lover of the books, I have no problem with the creative liberty taken.
2. The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
Films directed by David Yates, Alfonso Cuaron, Chris Columbus and Mike Newell) – when the first one came out, I was 11 and a massive fan. I was so, so disappointed – and I hated the films until the fourth one. I think they slowly improved with time and now, even though the first few aren’t great, I enjoy them because they’re Harry Potter and they show the changes the series went through. And the cast makes me SO proud of my nationality.
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Film directed by Gary Ross – I feel this adaptation was really faithful, and Ross did so well in making it violent but still appropriate for a younger audience. Plus some fantastic casting.
4. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Film directed by Steven Spielberg – although the book is a lot more technical (read it if you haven’t!), and the adaptation maybe isn’t as faithful as some, I absolutely love this film. When I was younger I wanted to study dinosaurs – but somehow I ended up as an archaeologist, rather than a palaeontologist!
5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Film directed by David Fincher – I somehow feel bad for admitting that I preferred the American version to the original Swedish version, but I just did. Salander was more how I imagined her. Honourable mention to Niels Arden Oplev though!
6. Mrs Doubtfire by Anne Fine
Film directed by Chris Columbus, original book title ‘Madame Doubtfire’ – this is on my list because it’s one of my ‘comfort’ films (for when I’m feeling down), Robin Williams is my favourite actor ever, and this film turned a frankly quite depressing book into something really sweet and funny, but also touching.
7. Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding
Film directed by Sharon Maguire – how did I nearly forget Bridget Jones?! I’ve read and watched it so many times, it’s like an old friend. I’m really not a chick lit/flick person, but I make an exception for these books/films.
8. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
Film directed by Clive Donner (1982 version) – so I haven’t actually read the book yet… it’s on my list! But I just can’t ignore Anthony Andrews’ fantastic take on Sir Percival Blakeney (or should I say ‘Blakenehhh…), Baronet. It’s really hard to get hold of this film (at least in the UK), but it’s worth it!
9. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
Film directed by Martin Scorsese – I think the film really caught the essence of the book – creepy and unsettling.
10. We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
Film directed by Lynne Ramsey) – as with Shutter Island, this is every bit as harrowing as the book. Ezra Miller is outstanding.
And one book to film adaptation I’m not sure about – maybe it was too hyped up – is Blade Runner. I really loved the book, by Philip K. Dick (published as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?). It’s my dad’s favourite film and he kept telling me to watch it, which I finally did after reading the book, and it just wasn’t that great. It was good, but really didn’t live up to my expectations – and is very different from the source material.
Rinn Reads 
Great Top Ten! I really like the movies you listed. My favorite adaptation was The Hunger Games, because it is so faithful to the book… And I really like the Harry Potter series too, they left out a lot of details that I really cared about, however they still manage to make me fell the magic within the books.Thanks for sharing!Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday if you want to take a look: http://pause-time.blogspot.com/2012/11/top-ten-tuesday-1.html
Yes that’s true – such as Peeves! That is one major thing they left out =(Thanks for commenting!
You need to read The Scarlet Pimpernel! The movies are fun but the book is way better! Though I agree, I do love how Sir Percy Blakenehhh is portrayed. Here’s my TTT!
I really do! I’m definitely going to try and read it soon (she says), as it’s part of my Classics Challenge.Thanks for commenting!
Great top ten topic choice & great choices 😀 Your top 3 would definitely be on my list as well. And while I haven’t read Shutter Island, I did see the movie and I absolutely loved it! Thanks for sharing, here’s my TTT this weekMicheline @ Lunar Rainbows
Thanks for commenting! =)
Great topic! Bridget Jones’ Diary is one of my all-time favorite movies EVER. And I of course agree with harry potter!! Hunger games was good, The Lord of the Rings was EXCELLENT (although I have yet to read the books…) I had no idea Mrs. Doubtfire was a book…love that movie too. Great list! My TTT: http://nightmareonbookstreet.blogspot.com/2012/11/top-ten-tuesday-sniffle-sniffle.html
Yep it is, but Daniel just isn’t the same character. He’s actually quite mean to his kids and really snarky =(Thanks for commenting!
Great choices! My sister-in-law did this one this week on her blog! New follower!Check out my TTT.Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
Thanks for following and commenting! =D
I love Bridget Jones’s Diary, both the book and the movie! I’m so glad to see it on your list! Only Colin Firth could have played Mark Darcy. 🙂Our TTT
Haha, of course =) Imagine if he hadn’t been able to do it!Thanks for commenting!
Love your list 🙂 I would definitely have to agree with LOTR and HP and The Hunger Games. I really both the book The Princess Bride and the film adaptation!
I’ve read the Princess Bride and watched some of the film – it might’ve made it to the list if I’d seen it all!
Wonderful list! Bridget Jones’s Diary, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – all books/movies I loved :)I also liked The Hunger Games movie, but I think the book was somehow better…My favorite film adaptation is Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth. And Forrest Gump! And I haven’t read the book, but the movie was awesome.And the one I really disliked was Twilight. I adored the book, but the movie was a disaster. I hope The Host will be better.My TTT
Ah yes, I keep forgetting Forrest Gump was a book. Might have to read that one =D
I haven’t read the book, but heard it’s not so good…