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Movie adaptations that are better than the source material?

SpinierBlakeD

SpinierBlakeD

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Oct 28, 2018
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I recently read Casino Royale and I walked away thinking the movie told the story better. It might be because it's more contemporary, but I honestly think the book has some super cheesy moments and some character moments are done better in the film (do I have to mark spoilers for a book that's over 50 years old?). While there are some aspects of the book I like more than the movie, I would ultimately say the movie is better than the book. I'm curious if there are any other adaptations that managed to surpass their source material?
 

amusix

The Fallen
Oct 29, 2017
1,600
The Shining will always be at the top of this list for me
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some big changes from the source material, and, ultimately, the best adaptation of the story.
 

Deleted member 16516

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Oct 27, 2017
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The Last of the Mohicans is one such candidate. Taking a rather dry novel, and making a dynamic and entertaining film.
 
chalkitdown

chalkitdown

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Oct 26, 2017
3,231
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest makes a lot of changes from the book and is all the better for it.
 
Chopchop

Chopchop

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Oct 25, 2017
14,171
I'm not sure if this is an unpopular opinion, but I enjoyed the LOTR movies more than the books. Yes, a lot of nuances are lost in the movie adaptations, but they are paced a whole lot better as a result.
 
BDS

BDS

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Oct 25, 2017
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Also, not a movie, but The 100 is far better in TV show form than the books it is very loosely based on.
 

Slatsunus

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Nov 2, 2017
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Holes, and while being super faithful to the book.

It might be the best adaptation to screen of a book ever.
 
Zelenogorsk

Zelenogorsk

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Mar 1, 2018
1,567
I thought De Palma's version of Carrie was way better than the book. But i also think its one of King's weaker works. For everything else i'll take the King version any day of the week.
 
cakely

cakely

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Oct 27, 2017
13,149
Chicago
amusix said:
The Shining will always be at the top of this list for me
7pm6lCG.jpg


some big changes from the source material, and, ultimately, the best adaptation of the story.
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Have we done this thread?

But yes, I 100% agree. Judging by the previous thread this will be a controversial pick.

Other examples:

Children of Men - The novel, is pretty good. The movie, however, is just outstanding.

Dr. Strangelove - It's the adaptation of a terrible, forgettable, unfunny paperback thriller called Red Alert. Not a good book, but a incredible movie.
 
nekkid

nekkid

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
21,823
Chopchop said:
I'm not sure if this is an unpopular opinion, but I enjoyed the LOTR movies more than the books. Yes, a lot of nuances are lost in the movie adaptations, but they are paced a whole lot better as a result.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Yeah, it's a very visual story. In the movies the visuals don't slow the story down, but the descriptions in the book really make it crawl.
 
Ebullientprism

Ebullientprism

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Oct 25, 2017
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amusix said:
The Shining will always be at the top of this list for me
some big changes from the source material, and, ultimately, the best adaptation of the story.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

As much as I love Stephen King's works, he probably has more of these than anyone else.

Shawshank redemption is another case.
 
BDS

BDS

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
13,845
Marvel arcs like Age of Ultron are sort of cheating since the movies have literally nothing to do with the corresponding comic arc. Marvel just takes cool-sounding names like "Infinity War" and sticks them on an unrelated movie.
 
PassiveObserver

PassiveObserver

Member
Oct 27, 2017
3,192
Naked Lunch. Not culturally; the book definitely has wider repute than the movie. But I got zilch from the book and Cronenberg's adaptation is one of my favorite films of all time.

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Sounds

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Oct 27, 2017
945
I would probably say No Country for Old Men... the book was amazing, but the movie blew it away.
 
Biske

Biske

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Nov 11, 2017
8,283
nekkid said:
Yeah, it's a very visual story. In the movies the visuals don't slow the story down, but the descriptions in the book really make it crawl.
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Click to shrink...

Could not disagree more. Sometimes I wonder if people read the same books as me. Re read the series a month or two ago and was again blown away how flowing and fun it is, love the writing.

The movies steal and garble all the best parts and dialogue and then butcher a ton.
 
Platy

Platy

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Oct 25, 2017
27,762
Brazil
Roger Rabbit is SO MUCH BETTER than the book that the book sequel say that the first book diferences were a dream by Jessica Rabbit
 
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