Nora Branch Book Nook discussion

How many great books have successfully had their brilliance transferred to film? More than I originally thought, actually. But still a tiny percentage of the literary pantheon. Here are the top fifteen, listed in ascending order. Which are your favorites?

15. Romeo and Juliet (1968) – Director Franco Zeffirelli - starring Len Whiting and Olivia Hussey
Possibly one of the most beautiful movies ever filmed


14. Charlotte’s Web (2006) – Director Gary Winick – starring Dakota Fanning with the voice of Steve Buscemi
The most engaging adaptation of E.B. White’s classic pig tale

13. Sense and Sensibility (1995) – Director Ang Lee – starring Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman

12. Emma (2009) – Director Jim O’Hanlon – Starring Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller
Miss Garai’s Emma has no equal

11. Disney’s A Christmas Carol – Director Robert Zemeckis – voices of Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman
Great Scotts aside, this is by far the most faithful recreation of Dickens’ classic

10. Out of Africa (1985) – Directed by Sydney Pollack – starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford
Succeeds beautifully despite the dreadful miscasting of Redford as “Englishman” Denys Finch-Hatton

9. The Color Purple (1985) – Directed by Steven Spielberg – Starring Whoopi Goldberg and Danny Glover

8. Charly (1968) – Directed by Ralph Nelson – starring Cliff Robertson and Claire Bloom
Unforgettable performance by Robertson in this adaptation of Flowers for Algernon

7. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) – Directed by Milos Forman – starring Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher

6. Pride and Prejudice (1995) – Directed by Simon Langton – starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth
The standard by which all other versions are judged – and fall short

5. Silence of the Lambs (1991) – Directed by Jonathan Demme – starring Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster

4. Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001) – Directed by Peter Jackson – starring Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen

3. To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) – Directed by Robert Mulligan – starring Gregory Peck

2. Schlindler’s List (1993) – Directed by Steven Spielberg – starring Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – Directed by Frank Darabont – starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman