Every day I ask a movie related question on Substack Notes.
Recently, I asked “Have you ever seen a movie adaptation of a book that was better than the book itself?”
Here are 3 of the top liked answers:
“Silence of the Lambs.” The book is awesome, but the film stripped away the subplots and focused on the main story and the tension between Lector and Starling. As such, it was incredibly well paced, absorbing, and intense. Also, Jodi Foster’s quiet underplaying of her role kept Anthony Hopkins from appearing over-the top…something I don’t think she got enough credit for at the time. All in all it was a spectacularly well done adaptation and one of the great films of all time.
Hunt for Red October was a LOT better than the book
The Warriors.
Book, so-so. Film, a perfect action movie. To be fair, Anabasis, the source material for both, has stood the test of time.
The Godfather.
Book ok, the movie - parts 1&2 - are classic. Part 3 always seemed to me to be an update on King Lear, so not as good as the source.
What do you think?
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Tomorrow:
The Shining is the answer. A good Stephen King book becomes a GREAT Stanley Kubrick.
The Lord of the Rings