It is always interesting to re-read favorite books, but it is no less pleasant to review great screen versions of your favorite pieces of literature.  GetEssayEditor.com presents excellent examples of the literature transformation from the magical world of books into the breathtaking world of cinema.

‘The Godfather’

Written by  Mario Puzo

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

“The Godfather” is a book about the gangsters life, revealing all the doors to the world of the Mafia. In a three-hour screen version of the story, Puzo and Coppola managed to show not only the story of the war between families, but also a story about people.  Moreover, a story about family war does not seem to be uncompleted or undisclosed, everything is in its place, woven into a plot of the story, and overwhelmed with brutal murders caused without personal intentions, only for business. The movie has no disadvantages, mistakes or clichés, which makes us to review it again and again, even if you have already seen it dozens of time and learned it by heart.

‘The Green Mile’

Written by Stephen King

Directed by Frank Darabont

The director Darabont had two options - either change the book for the sake of giving more glossy mood to the film,  create a screen version according to the book following the plot page by page. He chose the second variant. The director did not miss any detail, even the smallest one, he was meticulous and precise in everything. Even the dialogues of the heroes are just like in the text. There were only a few subtle changes, but the overall atmosphere of the novel, the atmosphere of pain and fear, its spirit, the description of the criminals’ way of life were described  rich in details.

‘Fight club’

Written by Chuck Palahniuk

Directed by David Fincher

There is nothing odd and nothing that might distract the viewer from the main idea in the movie. The ending of the movie was completely changed. But surprisingly, this interpretation became an ideal solution for the final part of the movie and it gives even more effect on the viewer. An author Chuck Palahniuk totally agrees with this meaning. Fincher’s screen version is able to turn over the worldview.

‘The Shawshank Redemption’

Written by Stephen King

Directed by Frank Darabont

The film is about not only the escape and the horrors of life in prison, but also about human relationships and people. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman naturally played their characters, showing a very strong and deep image of people. In addition to the excellent acting and a brilliant screen adaptation of King's book we should mention the dramatic and beautiful music written by Thomas Newman. It conveys an atmosphere of the Shawshank and the inner world of the characters and their emotions.

‘Forrest Gump’

Written by Winston Groom

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

The grotesque novel lies at the heart of this comedy-drama film. The fantastic atmosphere of the plot makes it even more complicated, comprehensive, complete and rooted. The script of the movie, written by the book, is really amusing and spectacular! Major events and characters’ behavior can be used as a life hack. Tom Hanks perfectly played his part in this movie. It is one of his best leading roles. This movie is good for all times, all ages, and all viewers.

‘Gone with the Wind’

Written by Margaret Mitchell

Directed by Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Sam Wood

The “Gone with the Wind” was the first colorful movie in the history of cinematography. Even now, people who are already spoiled by diversity of visual effects, do not stop to admire with the variety of shades of the sky over the Tara estate and with the boundless white sea of cotton fields. Even the special effects of the modern movies cannot be compared with this natural, spiritual beauty and inimitable performance of the actors. This movie is about the love to life, about the lost ideals and time that is gone forever, about the stamina of the human spirit, faith in love and happiness.

‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest’

Written by Ken Kesey

Directed by Miloš Forman

It is known that Milos Forman had a bad chance to listen to a lot of criticism from the author of the book Ken Kesey. He blamed him, because the director significantly changed the novel in his own way and significantly deviated from the original idea of the book. Kesey even refused to watch the movie when he discovered that Bromden won’t be a narrator of this story. But all these issues created even more intrigues. The character of the Leader is fully revealed only by the end film. Acting skills of members of the set fascinate from the first minutes of the movie.

‘The Shining’

Written by Stephen King

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

“The Shining” is generally recognized as a gold standard of “horror” genre around the World. The novel written by Stephen King was mind-blowing and not really fascinating. That is why Kubrick had to modify the contexture, make it vivid and terrifying. This movie freezes the blood in the veins and really makes us believe in the strength of mind.

‘The Silence of the Lambs’

Written by Thomas Harris

Directed by Jonathan Demme

Jonathan Demme directed the film, which has an overwhelming success, as well as the book. This movie is shocking and breath-taking. There is no scary “boo!” moments , the musical score is calm and quiet, there is nothing to hide from the viewer. There is no intrigue, but there is a tension and genuine fear when you follow Hannibal Lecter, who kills his victims even without blinking. This film is fully impregnated with the psychology and true emotions. This is a gold standard of its genre.

‘Schindler's List’

Written by Thomas Keneally

Directed by Steven Spielberg

“Schindler's Ark” is a piercing novel about the Holocaust based on the real events. The novel was highly appreciated by the readers and was awarded a Booker Prize. Later on, the book was successfully adapted into the movie directed by Stephen Spielberg. The novel became popular thanks to this screen version: the film won 7 “Oscars”, 7 BAFTA awards, 3 “Golden Globe” awards, as well as a Grammy Award.

‘Atonement’

Written by Joe Wright

Directed by Ian McEwan

The screenwriters did their best in order to show the most significant moments of the book in this movie. This is one of the few cases when the author was satisfied with the film based on his book. The scenario is dynamic, rich in contrast and harmonious. The tape is thoroughly permeated with love and hate, disappointment and pain, suffering and remorse. This film is a drama that is not claiming to be snotty, but rich with emotions, thought-provoking movie.

‘The English Patient’

Written by Michael Ondaatje

Directed by Anthony Minghella

Frankly speaking, the movie based on the novel “The English patient” is much better than the book itself. The novel written by Michael Ondaatje is a psychological drama on military topic. Minghella managed to create a great melodrama. Many plotlines were changed; some story lines were taken away or interchanged. The main focus of the book was also changed in the movie. One can notice how tenderly Minghella transcribed and rearranged the story of “the English patient” only after reading the book.

‘A Beautiful Mind’

Written by Sylvia Nasar

Directed by Ron Howard

A book which was taken as a basis of the film was written in 1988 . The original title was “A Beautiful Mind: a Biography of John Forbes Nash, Jr., Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics”. Back at the time, the book became a real sensation and broke the sales records. Later in 2001 “A Beautiful Mind” movie was shown on the screen and brought a rather big cash. Every second of the movie is filled with a strong sense. While watching you notice that there are no excessive moments or film frames, all sounds and words are harmoniously combined in one brilliant creation.

‘A Clockwork Orange’

Written by Anthony Burgess

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

Anthony Burgess wrote this dystopian novel in a critical period of his life. The background of the novel was a terrible accident when a group of drunken soldiers beat his pregnant wife. A few years later Stanley Kubrick read this book and created a perfect screen version.

‘Requiem for a Dream’

Written by Hubert Selby, Jr.

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

The novel “Requiem for a Dream” was first published in 1978. It is one of the most outspoken and ruthless books about drugs and hopelessly addicted people who lost their self-control and succumb to their addictions. These people betrayed their life and lost their humanity for the sake of the illusion. In 2001 Darren Aronofsky directed a movie based on this novel, which became iconic. At first, it seems that the book is an exact copy of the film, but the 1st impression is deceptive. Aronofsky deliberately toned down all the horrors, which were terribly described in the book. Brilliant acting and awesome music played a great part.

‘Psycho’

Written by Robert Bloch

Written by Alfred Hitchcock

“Psycho” is a psychological horror thriller film that turned upside down the thriller genre. The film based on the book is considered to bethe brand identity of Alfred Hitchcock. ‘Psycho’ had a lot of success after it was shown on the screens. The expressive monochrome, elegance and meticulous staging of each frame makes the film a work of visual art.

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