There is an eternal debate between bibliophiles and movie buffs, which is none other than: which version is better, the original book or the film version? In general, the book wins, among other things because it is the idea that arose from the author; the idea, we could say, authentic. However, everything will also depend on the quality of the adaptation. There are screen adaptations that are true masterpieces, so we should not, a priori, underestimate the adaptation of a novel to film or television.
Cinema has its own language which, of course, is much more visual than that of literature. If the adaptation is good, it can be an excellent complement to the original book. Let’s see below 8 of the best screen adaptations of classic novels that you cannot miss if you are lovers of cinema and good literature.
As always, there are many more. Cinema, as the seventh art that it is, has produced authentic gems that deserve not to go unnoticed. However, in today’s article we focus on adaptations of classic novels, and we try to review 8 of the best versions.
1. The Three Musketeers, by George Sidney
The adventures of young D’Artagnan and his friends Athos, Porthos and Aramis have not had much luck in their cinematographic journey. And, of the more than ten versions that have been made of the classic by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet, only two remain faithful to the literary original
Among these fortunate versions is the magnificent adaptation that George Sidney made in 1948, a true gem of American Technicolor that features unforgettable performances, such as a fantastic Gene Kelly in the role of D’Artagnan or a beautiful and mysterious Lara Turner as Milady. The plot is practically identical to Dumas and Maquet’s novel (with some reservations that are, in part, the result of censorship). All this makes this film classic one of the best adaptations of the adventures of the musketeers.
2. Around the World in 80 Days, by M. Anderson and J. Farrow
In a similar way to what happens with The Three Musketeers, the successive versions of Jules Verne’s classic that have been made would horrify any lover of classical literature. There is hardly any version for the screen that is faithful to the original, with the exception of the adaptation that M. Anderson and J. Farrow made in 1956.
A sober David Niven, magnificent in the role of Phileas Fogg, gives the film that English phlegm that also appears in Verne’s novel For his part, the famous Cantinflas plays his servant Passepartout who, on this occasion, changes her French nationality for Mexican. The actor’s extraordinary performance provides the comic relief, which is perfectly balanced by Niven’s righteousness.
In addition to the interpretations, the scenery is very careful, and the successive adventures that the protagonists go through are identical to those that happen in Verne’s work. If there is something bad to say about this film, it is the scenes that take place in Spain, loaded with the most ridiculous clichés of the time. In short, nothing is perfect.
3. Sense and Sensibility, by Ang Lee
For many critics, it is the best adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel. The director, Ang Lee, manages to magnificently recreate the English atmosphere of the early 19th century where the author moved, and bathes it with exquisite photography and a meticulous soundtrack inspired by themes of the time. On the other hand, the costumes are simply magnificent.
The person in charge of translating the content of the novel into a film script was Emma Thompson, who also plays Elinor, the older sister (who represents sense and prudence). For her magnificent adaptation work, the actress won an Oscar in 1996 And, really, the version captures all the essence of Austen’s original. The result is a delicious film that invites you to watch it again and again.
4. Fortunata and Jacinta, by Mario Camus
Unfortunately, Spain has not had the same luck as its English colleagues when it comes to adapting its literature. There are only a few examples, and all or practically all of them are from a few decades ago, when television still had the desire to show culture. One of these television series that is an adaptation of a classic of Spanish literature is Fortunata y Jacinta, which was broadcast on Spanish Television in 1980.
The series is a detailed version of the immortal novel by Benito Pérez Galdós, probably one of the best Spanish writers of the 19th century. Through a careful script that is very faithful to the original story, and through extraordinary performances (such as that of the singer and actress Ana Belén, who plays the role of Fortunata, one of the protagonists), Camus manages to perfectly recreate the Madrid of the time and captures in a more than convincing way the painful drama experienced by both women
The secondary characters stand out especially, whose scenes are a delight for the senses; especially, Fernando Fernán Gómez in the role of the elderly Feijoo and the always magnificent María Luisa Ponte as the strict but kind Lupe Rubín.
5. Война и мир (War and Peace), by Sergei Bondarchuk
No, the best screen adaptation of this classic of Russian literature is not the version where Audrey Hepburn plays Natasha Rostova. For most critics, the one made by the Russian director Sergei Bondarchuk in 1967 is, by far, the one that most faithfully maintains the original spirit of Tolstoy’s work. It seems plausible that it is precisely a Russian who can best bring an authentic symbol of Russian culture to the screen.
However, there is another version that follows very closely and, in this case, it is English. This is the last miniseries that the BBC launched for television, released in 2016, which was praised even by Russian critics. But let’s return to Bondarchuk’s version. The film has a footage of no less than 401 minutes (divided into 3 parts), in which the director captures in detail all the vicissitudes of the Rostov family, Prince Andrei and his friend, good old Pierre The production had an extraordinary cost (the battle scenes are the best), but, in return, it immediately earned unanimous acclaim from around the world.
6. Quo Vadis, by Jerzy Kawalerowicz
When saying Quo Vadis, we probably all think of the Hollywood blockbuster that put an attractive Robert Taylor in a Roman soldier’s armor and the beautiful and delicate Deborah Kerr in impossible dresses full of sequins. And, although the film is one of the gems of American peplums (a must-see every Easter), it is not the best adaptation of the novel by Polish writer Henryk Sienkiewicz.
Again, the version closest to the spirit of the original work is a production of the same nationality as its author; We are talking about the Polish blockbuster Quo Vadis, from 2001. And we say blockbuster because it was, until now, the most expensive film production in Poland.
Kawalerowicz’s version follows the book’s plot step by step, and moves away from the liberties that the 1951 American version does take Of course, by staying more faithful to the novel, the film is much more religious, since Sienkiewicz’s original is also religious. Not in vain, its world premiere took place before the Pope himself. Be that as it may, if you love the novel, you will love this film, one of the most faithful adaptations of literature made to film that exist.
7. Les Misérables, by Billie August
With the permission of the extraordinary musical that hit the screens in 2012, the film version of Billie August, released in 1998, is one of the most faithful to the original work of Victor Hugo. And this is a true feat, since the novel, despite being a masterpiece of literature, is very difficult to adapt to the screen, since Hugo is a very thick and chaotic writer (as well as extraordinary).
This version has a credible staging and, in addition, with interpretations of true movie monsters: Liam Neeson gives life to Jean Valjean, the symbol-character that marked several generations of readers, and gives him a moving humanity. On the other hand, Geoffrey Rush as the evil Javert is not only convincing, but terrifying in his excellence
The addition of a pseudo-romantic plot for Valjean (who does not appear in the novel) with the sweet Fantine is a complete success, which shows, once again, that the important thing is not absolute fidelity to the original, but rather maintaining his spirit.
8. Jean Eyre, by Cary Fukunaga
In the case of Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë’s unforgettable novel, it is difficult to choose a “definitive” film version. There are several adaptations for the screen that have enjoyed critical acclaim; among them, the one from 1996, which accurately captures the story and very accurately captures the gothic atmosphere of the novel.
However, Cary Fukunaga’s version, released in 2011, has become the favorite, for several reasons. First, its fidelity to the original text. Second, for its magnificent setting, even more Gothic if possible. And third, for the performance of Mia Wasikowska in the role of Jane which perfectly portrays the withdrawn, prudent and at the same time passionate character of the novel’s protagonist.
