EBN- Everybody knows that fall is the best season for movies and books. These three films, adaptations of classic books, have wowed audiences from across the world
The Godfather (1972, 1974)
Mario Puzo’s novel is an absorbing, dark thriller that fascinates, horrifies, and entertains. The first three films Francis Ford Coppola adapted from the novel elevate the sordid story into operatic triumphs that some consider to be two of the best films ever made. Both films won Oscars for Best Picture (Part II being the first sequel to do so) and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The Color Purple (1985)
Steven Spielberg created a stellar adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel, and one that is extremely faithful to the novel in terms of both plot and character. This is a true achievement because Spielberg relies on his actors to convey much of the emotional content through their performance, whereas in the novel we’re privy to Celie’s inner thoughts and feelings. The phenomenal performances from the cast make this film a must-see.
The Princess Bride’s most inconceivable achievement is somehow reducing William Goldman’s hefty novel into a movie that is almost literally just the good parts. This is partly explained by the fact that Goldman, an experienced screenwriter, adapted his own novel and clearly knew what he was doing. The end result is a ridiculously entertaining story of true love and high adventure that is perfectly faithful to the novel while streamlining the story for film.
