Thursday Thirteen #37

Here’s a new take on my usual idea.  It’s a book list (again!) but I was thinking about books that are filmed, and how often the movies aren’t as good as the books they are based on.  It’s not an inflexible rule, but it is usually the case. Often, though, the films become more well known than the books, no matter how good or bad they are.   I had a look at the books I own to see how many had been filmed (as opposed to made into TV shows). Lots, actually.  More than enough for a couple of lists, so here is one TT’s worth….

  Thirteen Books That Have Been Made Into Films

“Midnight Express”  by BILLY HAYES.  A very good book. The true story of a young American backpacker who foolishly tried to defray the cost of his travel by smuggling drugs out of Turkey.  He was caught at Ankara airport and sent to prison for many years.  A riveting and at times harrowing account of what happened to him there.  The film was just as good.  Both are worth getting hold of.  IMDB link     Buy it here

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“Royal Flash”  by GEORGE MACDONALD FRASER.  So far, the only one of the twelve Flashman novels to be filmed.  It is also the only one set in a fictional country, even though some genuine historical personages are involved (e.g Bismarck).  The book is excellent, as are all in the series. In spite of a few anachronisms (ragtime being played in brothel in the 1840s) the film is a lot of fun.  Roistering adventure with a touch of farce.  See unknown actor Bob Hoskins in a two-line part. Worth reading and seeing.  IMDB link    Buy it here

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“The Eagle Has Landed”  by JACK HIGGINS.  He features a lot in my book lists.  This book was his first major success, and after it became a bestseller it was turned into a film.  The basic story is that an elite German unit sneaks into England in 1943 in order to kidnap Winston Churchill.  There’s a bit more to it than that but that’s the main plot line.  The book is far more involved than the film, which often happens.  They are both fun, if rather silly.  IMDB link      Buy it here

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“Great Expectations”  by CHARLES DICKENS.  This is my favourite of Dickens’s novels; possibly because it was the first one I ever read.  I find certain passages of it extremely atmospheric and evocative of an age I of course never lived in.  There have been several film versions but I think the best was the one directed by David Lean, starring John Mills.  IMDB link     Buy it here

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“Black Sunday”  by THOMAS HARRIS.  Before Hannibal Lecter made him very rich and famous, Harris wrote this story of  terrorism and detection.  Someone, I forget why, decides to turn the Goodyear blimp into a bomb and explode it above the stadium during a football game, to kill everyone in it.  Intrepid detective tries to track him down and stop him.  Entertaining enough in its way. And quite a good film too.  IMDB link      Buy it here

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“The Da Vinci Code”  by DAN BROWN.  It’s hardly necessary to go into detail about this book, because the controversy it inspired ensured that it would have enormous publicity, and it became a best seller.  Brown was accused of plagiarizing another book, but a recent court case in London concluded that he hadn’t.  The film starred Tom Hanks and the lovely Audrey Tautou who hardly smiled once.  Silly book, silly film.  IMDB link     Buy it here

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“The Cruel Sea”  by NICHOLAS MONSARRAT.  An excellent book about a Royal Navy corvette in WW2, and some of the officers and men who comprise her crew.  The film is regarded as a classic of British film, possibly because it has a cast of very dependable actors and the story sticks closely to the book.  Worth seeing if it shows up on TV.  IMDB link      Buy it here

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“Fail Safe”  by EUGENE BURDICK and HARVEY WHEELER.  One from the cold war.  This was written shortly after the Cuba missile crisis when tensions were still running high, and both sides had bombers aloft 24/7, ready to attack.  In this story, due to a communications glitch, one bomber starts to fly to Russia to drop its atom bombs and there is no way the Pentagon can call it back.  Lots of hot-line conversations between the President of the US and the General Secretary of the USSR.  The tension is superbly drawn.  Both the book and film are brilliant.   IMDB link     Buy it here

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“Thank You For Smoking”   by  CHRISTOPHER BUCKLEY.  Another of this author’s darkly humorous novels.  This follows the fortunes of a tobacco lobbyist as he seeks to persuade people that smoking never hurt anyone.  The satire is expertly barbed without being heavy-handed.  The followed the book pretty closely.  IMDB link     Buy it here

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“The Kidnapping Of The President”  by CHARLES TEMPLETON.  The President is kidnapped by members of a Latin American terrorist group and locked in a van full of high explosives and the bad guys demand a huge ransom.  The good guys have to try to get him out.  In the film version, this was set in Toronto, as the Prez visited Canada.  Canada’s own William Shatner played the head of the US Secret Service detail.  The whole thing was rather ridiculous really, but entertaining.  IMDB link     Buy it here

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“Catch Me If You Can”  by FRANK ABAGNALE.  This book came out in the early 1980s, after Abagnale had made a name for himself on the talk-show circuit, but it wasn’t filmed until about 20 years later.  He was a con-man and thief, simple as that. Now he has reformed and teaches companies and institutions how not to be conned. Both the book and film are very entertaining.   IMDB link     Buy it here

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“The Taking of Pelham One Two Three”  by JOHN GODEY.  A superb novel of suspense: four desperate men hi-jack a New York subway train.  Yes, a subway train!  How on earth do they think they can get away?  Well, you’ll have to read it.  The film of the novel starred Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw and Martin Balsam and was also excellent. Both highly recommended.  IMDB link   Buy it here

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Item 13 – Two bridges

“A Bridge Too Far”  by CORNELIUS RYAN.   Maybe more of us will have heard of the start-studded movie based on this book than the actual book itself.  Cornelius Ryan, who also wrote “The Longest day” gives us an account, full of eye-witness reminiscences from both sides, of Operation Market garden, the Allied attempt to liberate Holland and capture a bridge across the Rhine, in the autumn of 1944.  In terms of bridges captured, the operation was only two-thirds successful.  An important book for those who take an interest.  IMDB link      Buy it here

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The Bridge On The River Kwai”  by PIERRE BOULLE.  This is another of those cases where the film is far more well known than the book.   The line of ragged soldiers whittling Colonel Bogey as they march into camp.  Superficially this is a story of prisoners-of-war, but in fact it is a study of obsession and of two clashing personalities.  IMDB link     Buy it here

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Comments

[ellen b]

I'm thinking that I don't get out much...
I don't think I've seen one of these movies. Well I take that back. I have seen Great Expectations...

[pjazzypar]

"Midnight Express" was an excellent movie, as was "Bridge on the River Kwai". The book out of all of these I read was the "Da Vinci Code". The rest of the movies I vaguely remember, but don't recall seeing them. Happy TT.

[Nicole Austin]

Interesting list. I've actually seen several of the movies!

Happy TT

[susiej]

I always look the book more -- sometimes it's just more fun not to watch the movie!

[susiej]

Sorry, I mean LOVE, not look!

[Chelle Y.]

What!?! No, "Pride and Prejudice?" Haha!

I was hoping you would do a list like this. I think I only saw the Di Vinci Code. I did not care for it. :)

[Moondancer Drake]

You could do several lists on books made of movie. Nice idea

http://moondancerdrake.livejournal.com/

[Lynn]

I love Great Expectations! Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth are perfect. Catch Me if You Can is one of my favorite DiCaprio movies.

[Lori]

OK...Ive seen 2 on your list:) Happy TT. Great list. When are you gonna do something besides books?? Lets get some personal info on Nicholas!!

[No Nonsense girl]

That's a very good idea Nicholas! As usual, your TT are interesting and we learn about something!

Happy TT!!! :)

[Comedy Plus]

I loved Midnight Express. I would love to see that one made into a movie. Excellent list as always. Have a great TT. :)

[Susan Helene Gottfried]

Ummm.... I've seen a few. Read a few others. Umm. Yeah. Sure, I have!

*grin*

Happy TT, my friend!

[Smiler]

Not read very many, but seen a few of the movies. I'm a silly person, so I rather enjoyed The DaVinci Code. Couldn't put it down, even if the writing and story were risible. But the movie was a waste of time and money.

[Ornery's Wife]

Finally, you have a book on your list that I have read! I was so excited! I liked Great Expectations, too, but have never seen the movie--or any of them listed here for that matter. I know my education is sorely lacking! I have such a short attention span, and if a story evokes much emotion, I have a hard time sleeping, so I tend to read short stories or fluff. I do love your book lists, though!
TM

[Amy Ruttan]

Nicholas you and my Dad need to talk. He loves The Cruel Sea (book and movie) as Corvettes were Canadian Ships as well as Bridge over the River Kwai. I know he's read most of those books.

His biggest disappointment of a book being turned into a film was Starship Troopers by Heinlein. Didn't follow the book at all and he was disgusted by the movie.

My BIGGEST disappointment was the Third Anne of Green Gables movie by Kevin Sullivan. Had Anne and Gilbert off to war. WRONG!!! Anne Shirley's children fought in the war (she lost one too). Anne and Gilbert married had many children. The books of Anne and Gilbert's children especially Rilla of Ingle side is a phenomenal portrayal of life on the homefront during WWI in Canada.

Ok I'll stop blathering. Great post as always. :D

[Amy Ruttan]

OH and the DaVinci Code was a good movie but I don't understand why they changed the fact that Sauniere was actually her grandfather and that her brother was still alive. What was the point of that for the movie???

[Xakara]

This is a great list, there are so many options. I might have to do one of my own on the subject.

I rather liked The Da Vinci code, the book, not the movie. In the movie I resented the skeptical tone inserted into the main character and the conspiracy of the church.

But, that's neither here nor there. :)

Happy Thursday

~X

[PJ]

I've read the Da Vinci Code but didn't watch the film, and watched Catch me if you can but haven't read the book. How many books do you have, man?!

[pussreboots]

Da Vinci Code is the only one I've both read and seen. Happy TT. Thanks for stopping by.

[Joely]

Woo-hoo, I recognize several of these this time! I loved Fail Safe--we read it years ago in a Political Science class, and then watched the movie. Happy TT!

[Leslie Dicken]

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN was a fascinating story...but I'll admit I've only seen the movie, not read the book.

[shesawriter]

Out of all of them I've only seen four.

Happy TT, Nicholas!

[On a Limb with Claudia]

So, of course, I've seen all of these movies. Given our mutual taste in books, it's not too surprising. I thought for one second you liked the Da Vinci code. I thought the book was intriguing but the movie was drivel. I am sorry that they are making angels and demons. Such a waste.

I frequently get the bridge movies mixed up but I love them both.

Great list again Nicholas.

[Journeywoman]

Great list.

The book for Catch me if You Can was wonderful!

[marcia v]

I have seen at least 5 of those but some 25-30 years ago --Bridge over river Kwai?