Stories I read before I knew they were going to be filmed.
There's nothing like a film adaptation to boost sales of a book. However, here is a selection of books and short stories which I read long before a film or TV version was announced.
I've ordered the list by date of film/TV release. I was going to order it by date of publication of the original story, but that would require more research than my slothful tendencies would allow.
I've ordered the list by date of film/TV release. I was going to order it by date of publication of the original story, but that would require more research than my slothful tendencies would allow.
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- DirectorJules BassArthur Rankin Jr.StarsOrson BeanJohn HustonTheodore GottliebA homebody hobbit in Middle Earth gets talked into joining a quest with a group of dwarves to recover their treasure from a dragon.I started reading "The Hobbit" in 1973, but I don't remember finishing it.
- StarsSimon JonesDavid DixonPeter JonesArthur Dent and his friend, Ford Prefect, escape the destruction of Earth, only to face incredible trials, tribulations and adventures in space and time.All my friends bought/borrowed/stole this book as soon as it was published. Some of us even read it.
- DirectorPeter HyamsStarsRoy ScheiderJohn LithgowHelen MirrenA joint USA-Soviet expedition is sent to Jupiter to learn exactly what happened to the "Discovery" and its H.A.L. 9000 computer.Still waiting for the other two.
- DirectorWolfgang PetersenStarsDennis QuaidLouis Gossett Jr.Brion JamesDuring a long space war, the lives of two wounded enemies become dependent on their ability to forgive and to trust.I read Barry B. Longyear's short story when it was first published (in "Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine") in 1979.
- CreatorRod SerlingStarsRobin WardCharles AidmanRichard MulliganA collection of tales which range from comic to tragic, but often have a wicked sense of humor and an unexpected twist.This series adapted a number of stories which I had already read including Arthur C. Clarke's short story, "The Star". Shame that TZ gave it a schmaltzy ending.
- DirectorMary LambertStarsDale MidkiffDenise CrosbyFred GwynneAfter tragedy strikes, a grieving father discovers an ancient burial ground behind his home with the power to raise the dead.It was recommended to me. That's my only excuse for reading it.
- DirectorJan EglesonStarsMichael CaineElizabeth McGovernPeter RiegertWhen electrocuted by the fuse box at home, Graham gets ideas concerning his nagging wife and the guy, who got Graham's promotion at the office.My main interest in Simon Brett's work is his "Charles Paris" stories. However, this was quite an enjoyable novel.
- DirectorRob ReinerStarsJames CaanKathy BatesRichard FarnsworthAfter a famous author is rescued from a car crash by a fan of his novels, he comes to realize that the care he is receiving is only the beginning of a nightmare of captivity and abuse.I read "Misery" soon after it was published. A film hadn't been announced then, but I guess it was only a matter of time...
BTW this is my idea of a real horror story. No ghosts, vampires or werewolves; just one human being inflicting suffering upon another. - DirectorClive DonnerStarsEd Begley Jr.François-Eric GendronBrian ProtheroeFour victims of a stock swindle meet and plot to get their money back from the crooked financier responsible. Each man, an Oxford professor, a Harley Street physician, an art dealer and a British aristocrat deploy their individual talents in elaborate stings to get back "Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less".I never saw the TV serial, but the novel was more entertaining than Archer's detractors would have you believe.
- StarsJohn LynchChristine KavanaghKenneth CranhamA journalist investigates the death of his girlfriend at a fertility clinic where she worked and uncovers a plot to create a new breed of human based on crossing the genetics of a man and an ape.I used to know Steve Gallagher (vaguely) so made a point of reading his stuff. Until I didn't know him any more.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsLiam NeesonRalph FiennesBen KingsleyIn German-occupied Poland during World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.I read "Schindler's Ark" soon after it was published. I seem to recall that I wasn't interested in the subject matter so much as the controversy over the book being awarded the Booker prize, which is for fiction.
- DirectorArthur Allan SeidelmanStarsJack WagnerJack ColemanCraig WassonAfter an accident during a routine trip to Venus, a spaceship has only enough oxygen left for three people... out of five on board.Based on Arthur C. Clarke's short story, "Breaking Strain".
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsJodie FosterMatthew McConaugheyTom SkerrittDr. Ellie Arroway, after years of searching, finds conclusive radio proof of extraterrestrial intelligence, sending plans for a mysterious machine.I read this in the 1980's and reread it a few weeks ago (in July 2012). Not a bad read, and I love the idea of a message being encoded in...but why should I spoil the surprise?
- DirectorPaul VerhoevenStarsCasper Van DienDenise RichardsDina MeyerHumans, in a fascist militaristic future, wage war with giant alien bugs.I read this in the 1980's. I preferred "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress", which itself would make a great film or serial (or "mini-series" for American audiences).
- DirectorKevin CostnerStarsKevin CostnerWill PattonLarenz TateA nameless drifter dons a postman's uniform and bag of mail as he begins a quest to inspire hope to the survivors living in post-apocalyptic America.I don't care what people say about this film; I enjoyed the novel.
- StarsTom HanksNick SearcyLane SmithDramatized portrayal of the Apollo manned space program.Based, in part, on Andrew Chaikin's book "A Man On The Moon". Excellent reading, and I'm so pleased to own the 3-volume, photo-illustrated hardback edition.
And I've owned 4 copies of the TV series. (Off-air VHS, commercial VHS, Region 1 DVD, Region 2 DVD. Roll on the BluRay edition...) - DirectorChris ColumbusStarsRobin WilliamsEmbeth DavidtzSam NeillAn android endeavors to become human as he gradually acquires emotions.The story was as mawkish as the film.
- DirectorGwyneth GibbyStarsJennifer BurnsWinsome BrownJoseph HodgeWhen a distant planet's six suns slowly disappear, the population is overwhelmed with fear and superstition.Based on the Isaac Asimov story.
- StarsMartin ClunesFay RipleyTom Goodman-HillFungus' job is to venture above Bogeydom and scare Drycleaners (aka humans). Unfortunately, a crisis happens when a Drycleaner discovers the existence of Bogeys.IIRC the TV series tells a completely different story from the book.
- DirectorFernando MeirellesStarsRalph FiennesRachel WeiszDanny HustonA widower's transcontinental quest to find answers about his wife's death leads him to explosive secrets.A choice from my book-reading circle. It might have been chosen because it was being filmed (but I didn't know that).
- DirectorBreck EisnerStarsMatthew McConaugheyPenélope CruzSteve ZahnMaster explorer Dirk Pitt goes on the adventure of a lifetime of seeking out a lost Civil War battleship known as the "Ship of Death" in the deserts of West Africa while helping a WHO doctor being hounded by a ruthless dictator.A colleague introduced me to Cussler's work. I don't know whether to thank him or to curse him.
- DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsGreg KinnearBruce WillisCatalina Sandino MorenoWhen contaminated meat is placed in the freezer next to that used for a fast food chain's most famous sandwich, a marketing executive seeks to find out who did it and why, taking a journey through the dark side of American alimentation.One of my choices for the book-reading circle. I doubt if it changed anybody's eating habits (and I was already a vegetarian anyway).
- DirectorCharlie PalmerStarsDavid TennantFreema AgyemanJessica HynesIn 1913, Martha watches in jealousy from afar as The Doctor learns what it is to be human and to fall in love with the local school nurse, Joan Redfern.The novel was written by Paul Cornell and published by Virgin Books in 1995 (long before most people had heard of David Tennant).
- StarsStephen HawkingJason DiabloPaul Herbert"Masters of Science Fiction" was a 2007 hosted science fiction anthology series, hosted by Stephen Hawking.One of the epsisodes of this series was an adaption of Robert Sheckley's short story, "Watchbird". I read this in 1980 (or thenabouts).
- DirectorChris WeitzStarsNicole KidmanDaniel CraigDakota Blue RichardsIn a parallel universe, young Lyra Belacqua journeys to the far North to save her best friend and other kidnapped children from terrible experiments by a mysterious organization.Ignore the bigots and film the sequels.