34 of 60

Write now Article Tools

We've all heard it a million times before coming out of a theater. Someone will turn to a friend and say, very knowingly, "the book was way better." While this is true in many cases, there are some examples to back up both sides of this argument. Some great books have made pretty lousy films, and some pretty flat pieces of writing have turned out to make quite decent films. Here are some examples that come to mind which you may not have considered.

Good book/terrible movie:

"The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen." How Hollywood could take on of the most impressive and intellectual comic books of all time and turn it into two hours of excruciating drivel is a mystery. Sean Connery probably curses the day he signed his contract to make the film, and the creative genius behind the comic book (Alan Moore) has since disowned the film and all his subsequent film adaptations. That speaks for itself, really.

"Bram Stoker's Dracula." Keanu Reeves with a quasi-English accent. Need I say more? At least Gary Oldman tries to save the day with his talented portrayal of the Count himself. But, sadly, it would have taken a lot more than one fine actor to bring this ghoulish adaptation back from the dead.

Good book/good adaptation:

"The Stand." Stephen King's apocalyptic epic tale of good and evil was made into a surprisingly excellent adaptation-for television, no less. Great performances from Gary Sinese, Molly Ringwold, Rob Lowe, Roby Dee, Ossie Davis, and Ray Walston, this is probably the best Stephen King adaptation around.

Not-so-good book/good adaptation:

"Mary Shelly's Frankenstein." Kennth Branagh and Robert De Niro weave a masterful spell in this adaptation that is superior to the dull novel, which spends far greater time energy on depicting the rolling countryside than depicting the creation of the monster. I know that many literary types will be horrified by my claims, but I think many people will agree with me.

Learn more about this author, Andrew Browers.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about The book is usually better than the movie?
We want to hear your view. Write now!