Film better than the book

My opinion is that there are far too many brilliant film/TV adaptations of Stephen King books and novellas for the storytelling not to be superb, Shawshank, Green Mile, The Shining, Misery, Carrie, Stand By Me, Running Man, Dolores Clairborne, IT, Salem's Lot, No Smoking, Apt Pupil are all examples of highly regarded and well received productions that have sprung from King's imagination.

I'm not an avid King reader but do think he gets a bit of a raw deal given the quality and range that stems from his work.
 
My opinion is that there are far too many brilliant film/TV adaptations of Stephen King books and novellas for the storytelling not to be superb, Shawshank, Green Mile, The Shining, Misery, Carrie, Stand By Me, Running Man, Dolores Clairborne, IT, Salem's Lot, No Smoking, Apt Pupil are all examples of highly regarded and well received productions that have sprung from King's imagination.

I'm not an avid King reader but do think he gets a bit of a raw deal given the quality and range that stems from his work.

On the other hand the Dark Tower movie was a big steaming pile of poo. 😂
 
If we're allowed Blade Runner then we can have Minority Report.

There's a few Philip K D!ck stories that have made for great movies but they usually play fast and loose with the source material (Total Recall is another (the Arnie version)).

---edit---
This swear filter is F***ing ridickulous!
 
The Shawshank Redemption and Stand by me.

Not that there was anything wrong with the book (well technically they're in the same book) but the films surpass them.
The body, which is what the novella is called is absolutely stunning.

Oddly enough I think Kings books are generally badly adapted for TV, and I think that is because of the psychological nature of them.

For a film better than the book, Lord of the rings. The books get very boring in parts. They were written over a long period of time and Tolkien kept putting them aside. You can tell.
 
I'm not sure if this counts, but my bet is the Nolan trilogy of Batman is better than the comics (which I've not read).
The particular comics that those films were based off varied in quality but some are legendary.

The Dark Knight (movie) was inspired by one of the best comics in the genre (Killing Joke) and was by far and away the best of the three movies.
 
The body, which is what the novella is called is absolutely stunning.

Oddly enough I think Kings books are generally badly adapted for TV, and I think that is because of the psychological nature of them.

For a film better than the book, Lord of the rings. The books get very boring in parts. They were written over a long period of time and Tolkien kept putting them aside. You can tell.
I really like the books. Very close to call. The films are fantastic obviously. Not quite sure how the same guy then went and made such a mess of the hobbit.

Agree the books could benefit from some editing mind. I've read them probably about 3 times. The trick is to skip the pages of elvish poetry.
 
I really like the books. Very close to call. The films are fantastic obviously. Not quite sure how the same guy then went and made such a mess of the hobbit.

Agree the books could benefit from some editing mind. I've read them probably about 3 times. The trick is to skip the pages of elvish poetry.
They do need some editing. The hobbit is a great book but I am not sure you can compare the book and film. Whilst they tell the same story the movies are more graphic and brutal and, as you say, we're a bit rubbish. Just watched all 6 movies a week ago. The hobbit doesn't get any better for rewatching
 
Um. The book came out after the film; it had been written concurrently with the making of the film and some of the plot points are different. The real inspiration is a Clarke short story from the fifties called The Sentinel. Sorry, I'm a 2001 nerd!

My nom for a recent film would be The Martian. The book is incredibly technical.
Shows you how bad my memory is. Still one of my favourite films.
 
Can't agree with American Psycho, incredible book (although the film does a very good job).

Probably something by Don DeLillo in there? I love Cosmopolis but was very impressed with the film. Tough call.
 
I tend to agree with that. There's a lot of self-indulgent digression in the books..

I don't agree about The Godfather; It's different, but there are somethings I preferred in the book.

Blade Runner is a good shout.
I enjoyed the Shining film, very good.. though the book is another level..
 
I'm not sure whether it is actually better but the 1978 Watership Down certainly equals the book.
Another film I found just as good as the book. Was The wanderers.
Another one I found at least equal to the books but although not a Film but a Mini series I found roots to be very good the old mini series and the newer mini series which I enjoyed(enjoyed probably isn't the correct word as it was more interesting, shocking and definitely an eye opener).
The Shawshank redemption film is unusual as it actually gives more detail than the short story.
 
TBH, films are just better than books in general if you ask me. Can’t remember the last time I read a novel, the Damned United probably, which was also a good film. Films are just more efficient.

I tried to read the sequel to the Damned United, about Shankly, and it was just a horrifically bad book.
 
I was just discussing this with my mate yesterday, I was telling him The Princess Bride fillum is much better than the book.
I'm dead cultured me like.
 
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