Great Films Based on Books
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Great Films Based on Books
Description
Book lovers often have very strong opinions about how their favorite stories ought to be adapted, when being made into films. Our List of the Month this November is devoted to films that got it right—films that were successfully adapted from books, or that even improved upon their books. Each participant may vote on ten films. Please only downvote titles if they are not films, or if they are films not adapted from a book.
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Rank
Title
Author
Added
1
by Rob Reiner
1,943 members
14 reviews
½ 4.5
29 Members
timspalding, lorax, Aquila, tardis, ABVR, hipdeep, cornerhouse, anglemark, Parthurbook, grizzly.anderson, raidergirl3, bjappleg8, konallis, merrystar, oceancat, al.vick, ahef1963, megbmore, monadz, AbigailAdams26, dianeham, timetunnel, DeborahJ2016, barefootsong, loulourevisited, RunLonger, SoulMedicine, StillLearning123, Michael_Reif
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Explanations
lorax: The very rare case where the movie is superior to the book.
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Parthurbook: Not voting for it is IN-CON-THEIVABLE!
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2
642 members
5 reviews
½ 4.5
26 Members
brewergirl, tardis, rosalita, bcmiller, charl08, raidergirl3, lizzy50usa, perennialreader, BonnieJune54, kdabra4, ahef1963, pwhite98270, MaryMeg, Laura1124, Hope_H, Tatoosh, mrswebster, DeborahJ2016, SandyAMcPherson, DonnaGriffin, AndrewGrannell, beatlegrrl, SoulMedicine, bstar1019, dianehewson, StillLearning123
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3
980 members
9 reviews
½ 4.4
26 Members
timspalding, brewergirl, lorax, rosalita, cornerhouse, Parthurbook, raidergirl3, sunqueen, konallis, RBeffa, AnnieMod, igorken, tina1969, Tess_W, kdabra4, ahef1963, AbigailAdams26, verncox, DeborahJ2016, SandyAMcPherson, DonnaGriffin, AndrewGrannell, Tosta, RunLonger, SoulMedicine, dianehewson
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Explanations
Parthurbook: Masterclass: How to make an epic film from a short story (Stephen King).
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4
by Ang Lee
801 members
12 reviews
½ 4.4
24 Members
cornerhouse, bcmiller, jillmwo, cpg, charl08, epaterson, cbl_tn, merrystar, katemcangus, noveltea, al.vick, ahef1963, AbigailAdams26, verncox, beehappy, mrswebster, DeborahJ2016, barefootsong, AndrewGrannell, LetGoAndBreathe, loulourevisited, slimikin, SoulMedicine, dianehewson
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Explanations
beehappy: Based on Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
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mrswebster: Book still more, but never could have read these books without meeting and learning to love these characters through the visual story. Each role so wonderfully acted by each artist.
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5
1,303 members
11 reviews
½ 4.3
23 Members
tardis, anglemark, bcmiller, pitjrw, mldg, bjappleg8, lizzy50usa, tina1969, BonnieJune54, Tess_W, ahef1963, MaryMeg, AbigailAdams26, verncox, Hope_H, dianeham, beehappy, DeborahJ2016, DonnaGriffin, AndrewGrannell, RunLonger, SoulMedicine, StillLearning123
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Explanations
anglemark: Based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
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verncox: This Musical is a good way to make up for making cuts to a good narrative.
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6
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1,617 members
7 reviews
½ 4.6
19 Members
Aquila, grizzly.anderson, lizzy50usa, konallis, CarltonC, cbl_tn, ahef1963, megbmore, MaryMeg, AbigailAdams26, timetunnel, mrswebster, DeborahJ2016, DonnaGriffin, Tosta, Thelamon1, SoulMedicine, aramilf, dianehewson
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7
972 members
6 reviews
4.2
19 Members
bcmiller, librookian, anyother, lizzy50usa, AnnieMod, perennialreader, tina1969, Tess_W, kdabra4, pwhite98270, MaryMeg, Hope_H, beehappy, DeborahJ2016, laurenkl, beatlegrrl, SoulMedicine, bstar1019, StillLearning123
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Explanations
beehappy: Based on Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
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8
by Ridley Scott
683 members
9 reviews
4.2
18 Members
brewergirl, lorax, tardis, cornerhouse, grizzly.anderson, raidergirl3, konallis, oceancat, gypsysmom, al.vick, ahef1963, Tatoosh, mrswebster, DeborahJ2016, Tosta, RunLonger, Thelamon1, SoulMedicine
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9
261 members
6 reviews
½ 4.4
16 Members
cornerhouse, bcmiller, jillmwo, merrystar, RBeffa, AnnieMod, perennialreader, BonnieJune54, jjrenoux, gypsysmom, kdabra4, DeborahJ2016, AndrewGrannell, laurenkl, dianehewson, StillLearning123,bstar1019
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10
by Brian Henson
491 members
6 reviews
½ 4.3
14 Members
lorax, ABVR, hipdeep, CarltonC, merrystar, oceancat, ahef1963, DeborahJ2016, barefootsong, AndrewGrannell, ManWithAnAgenda, Tosta, slimikin, SoulMedicine
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11
by Rob Reiner
437 members
2 reviews
4.2
13 Members
timspalding, brewergirl, hipdeep, raidergirl3, kdabra4, ahef1963, megbmore, Laura1124, timetunnel, DonnaGriffin, AndrewGrannell, Tosta, SoulMedicine
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Explanations
hipdeep: Based on "The Body" by Stephen King.
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12
by Ridley Scott
502 members
3 reviews
½ 4.5
13 Members
rosalita, anglemark, grizzly.anderson, paradoxosalpha, CarltonC, rhbouchard, mrbudyhed, vwinsloe, Michael.Rimmer, Laura1124, dianeham, timetunnel, loulourevisited,,
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Explanations
paradoxosalpha: Based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
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13
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412 members
2 reviews
½ 4.7
10 Members
grizzly.anderson, Cecrow, FAMeulstee, oceancat, vwinsloe, al.vick, pwhite98270, Michael.Rimmer, barefootsong, RunLonger
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Explanations
Cecrow: Most accurate to vote for whole trilogy.
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vwinsloe: Each installment of the trilogy was a masterpiece.
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14
679 members
4 reviews
½ 4.3
10 Members
dara85, raidergirl3, bjappleg8, igorken, kdabra4, verncox, mrswebster, AndrewGrannell, RunLonger, StillLearning123
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15
by James Ivory
239 members
1 review
4.2
10 Members
timspalding, cornerhouse, charl08, bjappleg8, CarltonC, cbl_tn, merrystar, sturlington, barefootsong, slimikin
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16
456 members
6 reviews
3.8
11 Members
cornerhouse, lizzy50usa, katemcangus, AbigailAdams26, mrswebster, barefootsong, DonnaGriffin, AndrewGrannell, loulourevisited, slimikin, bstar1019,ahef1963
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17
708 members
7 reviews
4.1
9 Members
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18
474 members
7 reviews
½ 4.5
9 Members
brewergirl, bcmiller, grizzly.anderson, wolfepack, abbottthomas, bjappleg8, sturlington, Tess_W, loulourevisited
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19
794 members
10 reviews
4.2
10 Members
bcmiller, grizzly.anderson, barleywine, sturlington, mrbudyhed, vwinsloe, Michael.Rimmer, verncox, timetunnel, v_RuneBerg,paradoxosalpha,AndrewGrannell
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Explanations
paradoxosalpha: The book and the (monumental) film were written simultaneously in conversation with one another. Both were based on the earlier Arthur C. Clarke story "The Sentinel," not a book--though the story was later included in a collection called The Sentinel.
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20
214 members
5 reviews
4.2
8 Members
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21
244 members
5 reviews
4
9 Members
tardis, rosalita, bcmiller, Parthurbook, wolfepack, Laura1124, SandyAMcPherson, loulourevisited, StillLearning123
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Explanations
Parthurbook: As ever, screenwriter William Goldman explaining the complexity of the Bernstein-Woodward source material with great economy. And holding attention when the audience knows the outcome before the start.
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22
by Chuck Jones
392 members
3 reviews
½ 4.4
10 Members
lorax, tardis, terran, oceancat, noveltea, pwhite98270, verncox, Hope_H, barefootsong, StillLearning123,AndrewGrannell
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23
by Joel Coen
363 members
4 reviews
3.9
8 Members
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Explanations
paradoxosalpha: Based on True Grit by Charles Portis
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24
551 members
5 reviews
4.2
8 Members
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25
265 members
6 reviews
½ 4.3
7 Members
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26
by Mike Newell
80 members
2 reviews
½ 4.4
6 Members
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27
by Miloš Forman
502 members
9 reviews
½ 4.4
6 Members
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Explanations
Parthurbook: The madness of the Ken Kesey book echoed in the madness of the movie
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28
by Robert Wise
1,316 members
21 reviews
½ 4.4
7 Members
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Explanations
anglemark: Based on The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp
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29
821 members
5 reviews
4.2
7 Members
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30
316 members
5 reviews
½ 4.4
5 Members
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Explanations
JulieStielstra: The best Austen adaptation ever - excellent acting, honest and vivid production values, the perfect mix of wit and heartfelt.
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31
by Jon Avnet
492 members
5 reviews
4
6 Members
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32
394 members
8 reviews
4
6 Members
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Explanations
timetunnel: Based on the short story "Story of Your Life" by Ted Chiang
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33
301 members
2 reviews
3.9
5 Members
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Explanations
Parthurbook: The scale of the mission reflected in the scale of the Tom Wolfe book reflected in the scale of the movie.
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34
by Mike Nichols
322 members
2 reviews
4
5 Members
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35
694 members
8 reviews
4.1
5 Members
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Explanations
paradoxosalpha: Based on Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
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36
1,263 members
9 reviews
½ 4.5
5 Members
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37
178 members
6 reviews
3.9
5 Members
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38
305 members
4 reviews
4.2
5 Members
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Explanations
JulieStielstra: Charming, emotional, honest; wonderful performances by all the kid actors. A childhood favorite unsullied by cuteness, visually lovely.
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39
by James Ivory
171 members
3 reviews
½ 4.4
5 Members
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40
647 members
9 reviews
½ 4.4
6 Members
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Explanations
anglemark: Based on Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
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: Changed too many things from the book.
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oceancat: love miyazaki but yeah this is too different from the book
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41
by Howard Hawks
260 members
3 reviews
½ 4.3
5 Members
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42
by John Huston
287 members
3 reviews
4.2
6 Members
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Explanations
lizzy50usa: Based on the book by C.S. Forester
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43
1,398 members
14 reviews
½ 4.5
5 Members
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44
by Michael Mann
422 members
2 reviews
4
5 Members
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Explanations
al.vick: based on the book, but SOOO much better.
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mrswebster: DITTO to al.vick!
45
by Joe Wright
357 members
4 reviews
4.2
4 Members
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46
403 members
4 reviews
3.9
4 Members
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47
641 members
9 reviews
4.2
5 Members
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48
284 members
6 reviews
4
4 Members
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49
286 members
3 reviews
4
4 Members
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50
320 members
2 reviews
3.9
4 Members
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51
115 members
½ 4.4
3 Members
Explanations
anglemark: Based on Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
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52
131 members
3 reviews
½ 4.4
4 Members
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53
by Joel Coen
500 members
6 reviews
4.1
3 Members
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54
by David Lynch
472 members
4 reviews
4
4 Members
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55
217 members
3 reviews
3.2
4 Members
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56
107 members
5 reviews
4
3 Members
57
153 members
1 review
3.8
3 Members
58
161 members
1 review
4.2
3 Members
Explanations
beehappy: Based on the graphic novel by Daniel Clowes
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59
210 members
1 review
4.2
3 Members
Explanations
EMS_24: Based on the book by Peter Hedges with the same title
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60
by Bob Rafelson
16 members
1 review
4.2
3 Members
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61
520 members
8 reviews
3.8
3 Members
62
180 members
4 reviews
½ 4.4
4 Members
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Explanations
paradoxosalpha: Based on Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
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63
562 members
7 reviews
4.2
4 Members
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Explanations
StillLearning123 : Clicked by mistake! It’s a great movie!
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64
130 members
2 reviews
4.1
3 Members
65
386 members
1 review
4
3 Members
Explanations
hipdeep: Based on stories from A.A. Milne's "Winnie-the-Pooh" and "The House At Pooh Corner."
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66
252 members
3 reviews
4
3 Members
Explanations
SandraArdnas: One of those rare 'much better than the book' adaptations. Adapted from Rum Punch by Elmore Leonard
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67
237 members
5 reviews
3.9
3 Members
68
by Pat O'Connor
27 members
1 review
4.2
3 Members
Explanations
JulieStielstra: Faithful and honorable adaptation; delightful to watch those two golden boys Firth and Branagh finding their excellence.
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69
62 members
2 reviews
½ 3.7
3 Members
70
by Nicolas Roeg
111 members
1 review
½ 4.6
3 Members
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71
398 members
4 reviews
½ 4.3
3 Members
72
733 members
16 reviews
½ 4.5
3 Members
73
by Hal Ashby
139 members
2 reviews
3.9
3 Members
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Explanations
Parthurbook: An outstanding central performance in a film that captures the existential mood of its source Jerzy Kozinsky novel.
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74
271 members
1 review
4.2
3 Members
75
by Mark Romanek
80 members
3 reviews
3.9
3 Members
76
by James Whale
124 members
5 reviews
3.9
3 Members
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77
472 members
3 reviews
4.1
3 Members
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78
387 members
4 reviews
4.1
3 Members
79
879 members
3 reviews
4
3 Members
Explanations
anglemark: Based on The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
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80
by Baz Luhrmann
431 members
4 reviews
4
3 Members
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Explanations
Parthurbook: Only director Luhrmann makes Shakespeare this sexy.
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81
205 members
4 reviews
½ 4.3
3 Members
82
by David Jones
106 members
6 reviews
½ 4.4
3 Members
83
by David Lean
354 members
5 reviews
4.1
3 Members
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84
243 members
4 reviews
½ 4.4
2 Members
85
38 members
2.8
2 Members
Explanations
paradoxosalpha: Based on Tideland by Mitch Cullin
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86
by Peter Weir
845 members
7 reviews
3.9
2 Members
Explanations
oceancat: an amazing movie and then they never made more, sob. at least we have the book series
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87
by James Ivory
111 members
2 reviews
3.9
2 Members
88
339 members
6 reviews
4.2
2 Members
89
by Carol Reed
329 members
6 reviews
½ 4.4
2 Members
90
138 members
3 reviews
½ 4.3
2 Members
91
by John Huston
147 members
½ 3.7
2 Members
Explanations
Parthurbook: The meta quality of having Christopher Plummer playing Kipling - the author of the story - adds to the atmosphere of two stars (Connery and Caine) at the top of their game.
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92
by David Lean
103 members
2 reviews
3.8
2 Members
93
by Danny DeVito
464 members
10 reviews
4.1
2 Members
94
by Martin Rosen
147 members
1 review
4.1
2 Members
95
157 members
1 review
½ 4.3
2 Members
96
679 members
4 reviews
4.1
2 Members
97
by John Huston
397 members
6 reviews
½ 4.4
2 Members
98
258 members
10 reviews
4
2 Members
Explanations
EMS_24: Based on the book by Michael Cunningham with the same title
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99
53 members
1 review
½ 3.4
2 Members
100
96 members
6 reviews
½ 3.7
2 Members
1
2
3
4
About This List
Started
November 6
Type
Numbered and unnumbered
Limit
10 books
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Current Discussions
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Related Tags
20th centuryadventureAmerican literatureclassicclassicsdramaDVDdystopiafantasyfictionHarry Potterhistorical fictionliteraturemagicmoviemysterynon-fictionnovelownreadscience fictionseriesto-readWWIIyoung adult