# Greatest book AND screen adaptation of all time is.... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 13, 2015, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984 "2015-05-13T23:37:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/41 "2015-05-16T18:59:27Z")
_To Kill a Mockingbird_ – totally agree. However, I take exception to the dig against the brilliant _The Big Sleep_. The movie, I admit, was basically incomprehensible to me, but apparently it would make more sense if you were up with the symbolism they used to imply sex and drugs in the Hays Code days. Also, Bogart for Marlowe is just great casting. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/42 "2015-05-16T23:24:46Z")
I came in to give my opinion but the OP beat me to it. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/43 "2015-05-16T23:27:05Z")
> [@D18](#): > > Nope. The Worlds According to Garp. Is that the sequel to **The World According to Garp**? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/44 "2015-05-16T23:28:54Z")
My responses concern Stephen King adaptations only, because I am culturally limited like that. In the following order: Misery Shawshank Redemption Stand By Me ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/45 "2015-05-16T23:33:51Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > My responses concern Stephen King adaptations only, because I am culturally limited like that. In the following order: > Misery > Shawshank Redemption > Stand By Me THE DEAD ZONE and CARRIE were pretty terrific. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/46 "2015-05-16T23:35:44Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > Winnie the Pooh The book with illustrations is the most charming thing. My 6 year old daughter laughed uncontrollably at the Heffalump story when I used to read her the original stories. The dumbed-down Disney versions, all those cheap stupid cartoons, are disgusting. As are the baby quilts, toys, etc. Only the pastel charming original Pooh is worthy, to me. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/47 "2015-05-17T02:56:52Z")
I wouldn’t say “…of all time,” but I have to mention “Watership Down.” The movie was actually a tad better than the book. Would anyone care to comment on “Charlotte’s Web”? Or “Schindler’s List”? ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/48 "2015-05-17T03:10:50Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > My responses concern Stephen King adaptations only, because I am culturally limited like that. In the following order: > Misery > Shawshank Redemption > Stand By Me Seconding Stand By Me as second only to To Kill a Mockingbird. One of the few movies to include all the important stuff from the book in the movie. The kids cast were **perfect.** I adored the Princess Bride, both the book and movie, too. Call PB 3rd place. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/49 "2015-05-17T05:16:52Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > The problem with _To Kill A Mockingbird_ is that it’s a completely misleading title–there’s no killing of a mockingbird. 😕 Nor should there be - it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird. Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/50 "2015-05-17T06:02:55Z")
I read _To Kill A Mockingbird_. It is very American. I am not American. There is nothing in it I could relate to or connect with. I found it very dull. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/51 "2015-05-17T08:01:18Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I read _To Kill A Mockingbird_. It is very American. I am not American. There is nothing in it I could relate to or connect with. I found it very dull. You only enjoy things you can personally relate to and connect with? You must find a vast number of books and films dull! I find the more familiar things are, the more likely to be dull. It is the stories, settings, and people who are UNfamiliar to me that will grab my interest and attention. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/52 "2015-05-17T08:29:37Z")
Not much love for _Fifty Shades of Grey_, I see. _d&r_ ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/53 "2015-05-17T09:21:30Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > You only enjoy things you can personally relate to and connect with? You must find a vast number of books and films dull! Yes, I do. If I can’t relate to any of the main themes it is a struggle for me to enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/54 "2015-05-17T10:15:57Z")
Harry Potter 1 in terms of casting, special effects, set design. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/55 "2015-05-17T17:17:31Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Assumed this was the steered-towards answer. It almost has the weight of _conventional wisdom_, like starting a discussion of best bball players with Michael Jordan. > > I love both; the book has held Favorite Novel position for me at various points in my life. > > Question: given how the world is evolving, non-white-straight-male voices are gaining share in mainstream culture. As an old white straight guy, I applaud this general direction. Does this movement impact how we will view To Kill a Mockingbird? It could be described as illustrative of the _white savior_ approach. The best example ever, but still positioned from that perspective, relegating black characters and voices to small, but critical roles like Tom and Calpurnia. > > Probably should be in another thread. Again, I love the book and movie. _General direction_? It’s been going on so long that the ‘wise old black man’ is a tired trope now. And gaining ground on the stereotypical “Spiritual Indian” ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/56 "2015-05-17T22:50:05Z")
H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man (1933?) and the 1960’s The Time Machine were quite close to the books. TTM would have been perfect if The Time Traveler has gone into the future to see the great dissolution before being hurtled back into his own day. Re Dickens’ A Christmas Carol- I’d rate the Sim & the Stewart versions as marginally closer to the book than to Scott’s, only because of the Wandering Phantoms scene. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2015, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/57 "2015-05-17T23:02:12Z")
JAWS Steven Spielberg made Peter Benchley’s bestseller into cinema’s first modern blockbuster. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/58 "2015-05-18T02:06:41Z")
> [@Enola\_Straight](#): > > JAWS > > Steven Spielberg made Peter Benchley’s bestseller into cinema’s first modern blockbuster. Errr…even though the novel resembles little the movie? ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/59 "2015-05-18T13:22:56Z")
_Must_ the adaption be faithfully accurate? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984/60 "2015-05-18T15:15:12Z")
Well, how many great novels (or, at least, novels widely considered great) can we come up with that were adapted into great films (or, at least, films that are widely considered great)? Among the contenders: John Steinbeck’s _ **The Grapes of Wrath** _ Robert Penn Warren’s _ **All the King’s Men** _ EM Forster’s _ **Howard’s End** _ Dashiell Hammett’s \*\*\*The Maltese Falcon \*\*\* James Jones’ _ **From Here to Eternity** _ Anthony Burgess’ _ **A Clockwork Orange** _ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-book-and-screen-adaptation-of-all-time-is/719984.md?page=4)