I’ve seen The Green Mile, but haven’t read the book.
It occurs to me that the book might be an enjoyable read because there is likely to be a lot more in it that couldn’t fit into the film. For instance there might have been a larger time span for…the Prison Guards to get to know John Coffe and grow attached to him such that they are upset when he dies… And simply a lot more going on.
Would you reccomend I read the book?
And for the main purpose of this thread: In what other book/film combinations is it ok to have seen the film first to still enjoy the book?
Although having seen the movie will spoil some of the book’s surprises for you, I think you’ll probably enjoy reading The Green Mile. I read it when it was first published, in serial form. I think reading it in one volume would be more satisfying.
A book that many people read after having seen the movie is William Goldman’s The Princess Bride. If you loved the movie, you are sure to love the book. Lots of great stuff had to be left out of the movie (including Humperdinck’s “Zoo of Death”). And Goldman’s writing style is just delicious.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Although it’s based on the 10th book in a wonderful series, and you should start with an earlier book.
These are combos that I thought both the book and the movie were great. Unfortunately, I can’t remember which I experienced first, but generally, I don’t think it matters.
To Kill a Mockingbird.
The Virgin Suicides.
The Orchid Thief/Adaptation.
The Cider House Rules.
Sometimes a Great Notion.
The Grapes of Wrath.
Catch-22.
Slaughterhouse 5.
The Horatio Hornblower books I can greatly recommend after seeing the movies. It’s interesting to see how they took elements from so many different short stories in “Mr. Midshipman Hornblower” to make the first four TV movies. Also, as far as Mutiny/Retribution goes, I far prefer the book, Lieutenant Hornblower, having read the book after seeing the movies.
The two-parter movie, Mutiny/Retribution, pretty heavily implies that Hornblower pushed the insane Captain Sawyer down the hatchway, leaving him badly injured and unable to command. In the original book, told from Lieutenant Bush’s POV, it’s not clear whether the Captain tripped, or if Wellard or Hornblower pushed him, only that Hornblower leads the investigation, is very skilled at manipulating his superiors, and leaves the whole thing a nicely un-illuminated affair.
Books I recommend even if you’ve seen the movie first: The Day of the Jackal. Other Frederick Forsyth books, too (The Odessa File, The Dogs of War, but TDotJ is the best adaptation, and overall the best book. The book has a LOT more detail, which would have just slowed down the movie. The Lord of the Rings – infinitely more detail and backgrouns, of course.
Other C.S. Forester novels, besides the great Horation Hornblower series. Read The African Queen, which differs significantly from the film. It’s an old film, but Sink the Bismarck! (based on Forester’s “The Last Nine Days of the Bismarck”) is definitely worth reading. Also his book The Gun is a better read than The Pride and the Passion is a movie, although in the book virtually everyone who comes into contact with the gun comes to a bad end, and Hollywood likes a happy ending.
The Abyss. The movie’s a good, John Cameron action-adventure movie, but the book was written by Orson Scott Card, who worked with Cameron and the stars of the movie while they were making it. It fleshes out the main characters so you can understand more about who they are and why they act the way they do.
He does a particularly good job of explaining why Coffee, the SEAL commander, does what he does and endangers the mission
I read the books first and enjoyed them more but saying that,I did enjoy the film.
Preferred the Harry Potter books to the films but am not a great fan of the books.
Very much enjoyed the Horatio Hornblower T.V. films but books have more content.
Have read the L.O.R. trilogy and found them to be very much overrated(Though they were excellent for the time in which they were written)and enjoyed the films a lot more.
Enjoyed the Sharpe T.V. movies but again the books have the edge.
Point Blank,a truly superb movie based on a good book but the movie wins.
Rambo,First Blood,very good movie,the book not so good,and I have to say that the sequels were a crock.
There are several movies about a guy called Jesus Christ. Apparently they are all roughly based on a book about his exploits. I am not certain but I think it’s by Mark Twain.
Jesus, you’re really the toast of Broadway.
And what a proper superstar you look.
A golden oldie, a blast from the past.
It’s great to see you’ve come back at last.
And someday I just have to read the book.
Most of the King movies are close to the book and could be watched/read in either order. Interview with a Vampire is very faithful to the book and if you enjoyed the movie, will like the book. But Queen of the Damned is two books in one movie. I like both but for very different reasons. Harry Potter is a must IMHO. DO NOT watch the old Shining(with Nichelson) and then read the book, you’ll be pissed. But then again IMHO don’t watch that version of the Shining ever, for any reason, other than torture. Eragon is ok but missing alot, Secret of NIMH is another good one. Sorry about any bad spelling.
I would definitely recommend reading “Rita Haywood and the Shawshank Redemption” and “The Body,” from which were filmed “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Stand By Me.” They are in the “Different Seasons” collection of novellas by Stephen King.
The Princes Bride was pretty good, I loved the movie and still maintain the dialog is wittier in the film, however they cut out a few scenes that make reading the book worthwhile.
Good cast, no budget. They did the best they could with what they had but it’s hard to show huge battles with a couple dozen extras. Still enjoyed the movies but I wish they would do a big budget version. I couldn’t see anyone doing a better job than Sean Bean.