EXCELLENT Movies Based on Classic Novels

IMHO: Best Scene in History (North & South)

By Amy Finnegan, Writer, Reader, Bookshop Talk Host

Whenever I hear that one of my favorite books is being made into a movie, I have a strange reaction: first, I’m elated and can’t wait to tell all my friends. And then, about ten seconds later, I get a pit in my stomach because I’m absolutely sure that Hollywood is going to screw up a perfectly good story! But Tinseltown has also done a mighty fine job at times, so I’m going to devote two separate posts honoring my favorite film adaptations. This is Part One: Classics (based on books written before, let’s say, 1950).

North & South (pictured above) was a mini-series that I watched before I even heard of the truly spectacular novel by Elizabeth Gaskel (this is a 19th century English story, not the U.S. mini-series about the Civil War). Simply put, I fell in love! The originality and believability of the plot is fantastic, and I adore the characters. In addition, it certainly doesn’t hurt that the best kiss that has ever taken place in front of a camera happens in this movie (Richard Armitage, if you’re reading this . . . call me). I read something on Wikipedia about this series that I found funny, but completely understandable. It says that only a few hours after the first episode aired, “the message boards of the programme’s website crashed because of the number of visitors the site was receiving, forcing host bbc.co.uk to shut it down.” Watch the series, and you’ll see why!

Sherlock Holmes is one of those infamous characters who will continue to get honored with attempts to bring him to life. I really liked the 2009 steampunk version of Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downy Jr., but I’ve recently discovered a modern take on this detective saga that had me absolutely glued to the TV. With its new series, Sherlock, the BBC has once again hooked me with its commitment to exceptional writing and production. There are only three episodes so far, but they are nearly 2 hours each. I can hardly wait for more!

Jane Eyre, Jane Eyre, JANE EYRE! This masterpiece by Charlotte Bronte is one of my all-time favorite classics, and it was adapted into what is easily one of the best TV mini-series ever. When I was in the theaters a few weeks ago and saw that a new Jane Eyre was being released (now on the big screen), I shrieked with excitement . . . and then . . . as usual, it happened . . . “OH NO! They’re going to ruin it!” That reaction is mostly based on the fact that I’ve seen three adaptations of this novel, and in my opinion, only one of them is worthy of the name Jane Eyre. It’s this one (pictured on the left).

I Capture the Castle is a story very close to my heart. Not only is this the novel that, more than any other, sparked the idea for Bookshop Talk (read about that here), but it shoots to the top of the favorites list of anyone I recommend it to (you can read our review of it here). The film version rarely skips a beat, capturing the characters with near perfection, and keeping the heart of the story intact. Curious about how a barely PG-13 book could’ve received an R-rating? SO AM I! (there’s a flash, in a dark rainstorm, of a bare-chested older woman) Canada rated it PG. I’m with Canada on this one.

Happen to like your men in breeches? (Me! Me!) Horatio Hornblower is your guy! The high-seas, swashbuckling, testosterone charged tales by C.S. Forester are brought to life by A&E in an Emmy Award-winning saga, presented in eight feature length films. Both my husband and I love these movies, and considering the fact that there is rarely a female in a scene, this really says something for their amazing appeal to a broad audience. We watched them for the first time several years ago, but still, the call of “HORRRRRNBLOOOOWWWER!!” never fails to solicit big smiles in our household.

Robin Hood began as a medieval folktale, immortalized in print by authors such as Sir Walter Scott, so it’s difficult to base an adaptation on just one version of the heroic outlaw. But my far and away favorite is the BBC series that lasted three spectacular seasons; it should have made it to at least ten. The Russell Crowe Robin Hood bored me to tears after this! I dare you to resist swooning once you get to know the impossibly charming Jonas Armstrong as Robin of Locksley. (And, ahem, Richard Armitage . . . still waiting for that call!) You’ll regret it if you order just one season at a time—trust me, get the full box set—or the wait will make you pull your hair out. The series is also available through Netflix.

Oh, Little Dorrit. Charles Dickens was a funny little man, wasn’t he? Funny in that he could take a story about someone living in completely retched circumstances, make things even worse for them (usually by throwing romance into the mix), and leave a reader crying with happiness by the end of it. Thus is the tale of Amy Dorrit and her entirely loveable/possibly-more friend, Arthur Clemmen (played by the delicious Mr. Darcy! Matthew Macfadyen).

This brings us to the mother load of great film adaptations: novels by Jane Austen.

In her lifetime, Austen published six books (excluding Sandition since she didn’t finish it), and all of them have been reimagined time and time again for the screen. I have yet to see an adaptation of Persuasion that I truly like, but quality abounds in several other films based on the tales told by the incomparable Miss Austen. Here are my favorites:

Adaptations of Emma have won me over not only once, but twice. I loved the big screen feature starring Gwyneth Paltrow, but then the BBC went and topped it this past year with a four part mini-series that I’m nothing less than addicted to (no, that isn't Cameron Diaz on the cover, it just looks like her)! If you’ve never read this less famous novel of Austen’s, you’re missing her razor sharp humor at its best. And I heart Mr. Knightly so much for being the least broody of any male character to live in the 1800s! (Especially when played by Jonny Lee Miller). You can read my review of the novel here, but whatever you do, don’t miss watching this mini-series!


Diehards of the Pride and Prejudice 1996 mini-series (starring the dreamy Colin Firth) will boo and hiss at me here, but while I absolutely love that version, I find myself thinking about the 2005 adaptation more often. I like Keira Knightly better as Elizabeth Bennett. And anyone who can step out of Colin Firth’s shadow—and into Mr. Darcy’s boots—as well as Matthew MacFadyen did, deserves to be stalked my devotion.

Though it’s a highly enjoyable adaptation, I think that the characters in Sense and Sensibility were portrayed too quietly in the 1995 adaptation starring Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. Grant was apparently directed to make Edward Ferris so painfully shy and awkward in this film, that it literally makes me uncomfortable to watch him. It was also too short. Enter the BBC (of course), with another near perfect mini-series in 2010! I was instantly smitten and appreciated the story more than ever before. Dan Stevens is fantastic as the charmingly reserved, but not awkwardly so, Edward Ferris. And the Sisters Dashwood are an unforgettable pair. I love, love, love this version!

So READERS, leave a comment to tell us about YOUR favorite film adaptations based on classic novels (again, we’re counting classics as any novel written before 1950).