Hi friends,
Happy Wednesday! Hope you’re having a wonderful week. I always look forward to spending mine with you. I wanted to share some of my favorite book-inspired movies, and I realized there are so many different genres to choose from so being a romantic suspense author and loving romantic movies, I decided to stick with classics-inspired romances. Upcoming posts will cover contemporary romance book-inspired movies and general fiction movies. Can you tell I’m a book and a movie fan?
My absolute favorite has to be Pride and Prejudice. I know there’s a big debate about which version is best—the BBC version with Colin Firth or the newer movie with Keira Knightley. It’s a very hard choice but I like the Keira Knightly version best. Although, I do have, thanks to my incredible hubby, an autographed picture of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy so that version will always have a special place in my heart.
As you can tell, I’m an Austen fan. I could list simply all of the movies inspired by her books, but I’m going to stick only with those based on Pride and Prejudice and am just going to share one more. Starring Keri Russell, Austenland is a quirky, fun, and adorable playoff Austen’s classic. I’m actually giving away a copy of Austenland as part of my Thrilling Throwback to 2013 newsletter-exclusive giveaway. You can enter here.
There are so many versions of Jane Eyre to choose from, but I personally like the 2011 version starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. I love so many of the versions, but this one just breathed new life into it for me.
Last but not certainly not least is the 2004 mini-series of North and South starring Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe. Why is this version my favorite? Richard Armitage…need I say more? ☺
Reader Question: Would love to hear which versions you like best and what your favorite book-inspired movie is?
Blessings,
Dani
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I loved North & South too. I think my very favorite though, is Persuasion, another great Austen classic, or else Wives and Daughters. The TV miniseries is fabulous.
I adore Persuasion too. Such a wonderful story. Is there a particular version of the film you like best? I’ve only seen one version and it was many, many years ago.I wonder if it’s been remade since then. I’ve never seen Wives and Daughters, but I’ve heard it’s wonderful. Will have to add that to my TBR pile.
I prefer the other version of P&P. 😉
One of my all time favorite book to movie adaptations is Little Women. Although, the version that I adore is actually a Japanese anime dubbed version. We recorded it on VHS a few *ahem* years ago. I watched it all the time growing up. Now that I think about it, my favorites are all from my childhood because Mary Poppins is another that I love. Typically, I only do one or the other – read the book or watch the movie. Then I don’t have to worry about the movie butchering the book. HA!
Love that they are all from your childhood. Very cool!
Yeah. It was a hard choice between P&P versions. I own the Colin Firth version (on VHS…LOL!), and one Christmas Mike got me a first edition (of the second printing but with the illustrator I love) of Pride and Prejudice and an autographed picture of Colin Firth as Darcy. It was the best Christmas ever!
Richard Armitage. That is, indeed, all you need to say. I first met him in North & South. I have purchased several audiobooks read by Richard just because he is the narrator. He has one of love poetry that is just amazing. He is the whole reason I started watching the BBC Robin Hood series (wonderfully anachronistic), and it was impossible to hate him as the sheriff, even though he was a great villain. But Richard Armitage … I just couldn’t hate him. LOL!!
I disliked the too-modern, new age ending of the Keira version of Pride & Prejudice (you can call me Goddess Divine), but otherwise, I liked the movie. But the six hours with Colin Firth remains my favorite.
So…I’m guessing you like Richard Armitage. LOL!
I didn’t realize he narrated audio books. I will definitely have to track down the one of love poetry. That sounds fabulous.
I agree. That ending line is the one part that I wish wasn’t in it.
My favorite book inspired movies are When Calls the Heart by Jeanette Oke and on the Hallmark Channel and Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. For both, the movie was good but the book was better. Jeanette Oke’s book was made into a series which is loosely based on her books.
I’ll have to check When Calls the Heart out. Thanks for the recommendation. Hope you’re doing well.
There’s a newer adaptation of “Persuasion” done by the BBC in 2007. It stars Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliot and Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Frederick Wentworth. In 2008, PBS’s “Masterpiece Theatre” broadcasted the newer version as part of its Jane Austen anniversary celebration. I own this one on DVD and the original novel!
Oooh. Thanks so much for letting me know. I’ll add them to my watch list. Excited!!!!
Yes, the ending to Pride & Prejudice is a little uncomfortable, especially since I grew up watching the non-American version (the British version, I think…?). That one ends with Mr Bennet laughing and saying, ‘Send them in – I’m quite at my leisure!’ Much better!