A film adaptation is a cinematic interpretation of a work of fiction. This method of creating plots for films has been used almost from the first days of the cinema.
History
The first adaptations are paintings by classics of world cinema Viktoren Jasse, Georges Méliès, Louis Feyad - directors who have transferred to the screens plots of works by Goethe, Swift, Defoe. Later, filmmakers around the world began to actively use their experience. Some famous works, such as the novels of Leo Tolstoy, directors both Russian and foreign, filmed more than once. A film based on a popular book always arouses special interest among viewers.
Films
Today, avid readers are much fewer than 50-100 years ago. Probably, the rhythm of life of modern man is too rapid, it leaves neither the opportunity nor the time to read the imperishable novels of classics. Cinema was born over a hundred years ago. Literature is about two millennia earlier. Screen adaptation is a kind of connection between these completely different types of art.
Today, many are sincerely surprised: why read Tolstoy or Dostoevsky’s novels, because you can watch a movie adaptation, and this will take no more than three hours. Watching movies, unlike reading, fits into the rhythm of modern man. Although it is noted that the film adaptation encourages to get acquainted with the work of a writer. There are many examples. At the beginning of the two thousandths, the picture "Heavy Sand" was released. This is a film adaptation of the novel of the same name, the existence of which few knew. After the release of the television film on screens in bookstores, the demand for Rybakov’s book increased.
Screen versions of classics
The most popular author among Russian filmmakers is, of course, Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin. Until 1917, pictures were taken of almost all the works of the writer. But films made at the beginning of the 20th century differ little from those that are released today. These were just cinematic illustrations for famous stories.
More than once the directors turned to the work of Leo Tolstoy. His most famous novel, War and Peace, was filmed for the first time at the beginning of the last century. By the way, in one of the first adaptations, the main role was played by Audrey Hepburn. The first film based on the famous book of Tolstoy, shot by domestic directors, was a film adaptation, which was released in the fifties. This is a film by Sergei Bondarchuk. For the film "War and Peace," the director was awarded the Oscar.
Many films were created based on the novels of Fyodor Dostoevsky. The work of the Russian writer inspired French, Italian and Japanese directors. Several times, filmmakers tried to transfer to the screen and the plot of Bulgakov’s famous novel “The Master and Margarita”. The most successful film work was recognized by Bortko. In the late eighties, this director made a film based on the novel "Dog Heart". This film is perhaps the best film adaptation of Bulgakov. It is worth telling about films created based on the plots of foreign writers.
"The Great Gatsby"
The picture, released several years ago, is a bold and modern interpretation of the work of Fitzgerald. The American writer is one of the most widely read authors in Russia. However, the demand for his work since the premiere of "The Great Gatsby" has grown significantly. Perhaps the fact is that the main role in the film was played by Leonardo di Caprio.
"Dorian Gray"
That's what the film is called based on the book of Oscar Wilde. The director changed not only the name, but also the plot, which caused indignation of the English public. The film tells about the moral and spiritual fall of the hero, captured by devilish power. But there are storylines that are not in the original source.
"Pride and Prejudice"
The film is based on the novel by Jane Austen. The director and screenwriter reacted to the author's text very carefully. The plot is saved, the images of the heroes have not undergone any significant changes. The film has earned many positive reviews around the world. The film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice was favorably received by both viewers and critics.
Films based on books by detective authors
The most famous film adaptation of a detective in Russia is a television film about the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. It is worth saying that the picture was highly appreciated not only in the Soviet Union, but also in the UK. The filmmakers received a prestigious award from the hands of the Queen of England herself.
The famous domestic film adaptation of detective Agatha Christie - "Ten Little Indians". The film was shot in the eighties by director Stanislav Govorukhin. This is not the only film adaptation of the novel by Agatha Christie, but perhaps the best, despite the fact that foreign directors several times transferred the plot of this work to screens and the reviews of critics about these works were positive.
Famous films created from the works of the detective genre include films such as Crimson Rivers, The Power of Fear, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and The Ninth Gate.
Films on the books of Stephen King
The first picture of the book "King of Horrors" was released in 1976. Since then, several dozen adaptations have been created. Among them, only a few did not cause spectator interest. Among the film adaptations of Stephen King ’s books are Carrie, Horror Kaleidoscope, Radiance, Christina, Raven Apostles, Woman in the Room, Night Shift, Ono, Misery.
The film "Shine" is invariably present in the list of the most highly artistic and significant films created in the horror genre. However, the work of director Stanley Kubrick caused a lot of negative reviews. By the way, Stephen King himself considered this film the worst of those that were created from his works. Nevertheless, in 1981, "Shine" was noted by several film awards.