Best book that was turned into the worst movie....

[Wolf14]

The Stand - Stephen King

I could live with the casting with the exception of Molly Ringwald but the script was horrible, the cinematography looked like is was done in a high school studio, and the script adaptation was reprehensible.

I agree. I didnt think the casting was bad at all, but there were some sequencing issues that I didnt like.

Funny side note, first time I read that book I got the flu half way through. I have read the book a good handful of times. Its a good read. It seems my book is plauged. I always get sick in some way when I read it.

Go figure.

[Dichotomy]

My favorite book ever.  I've read and listened to it many times.

[lasersailor184]

I'm glad they quit trying to make Clancy movies into novels. 

Rainbow Six is being made.  I actually would look forward to "Without Remorse."

And checking IMDB, it appears they are making both.

The Return of the King is one of my favorite movies. Why was it "painful to watch'? That movie was great.

The burning of the shire, the lack of the rangers / elves of Rivendell.  I could go on, but I haven't read the book in several years and forget the specifics.

Anyway, it's much like someone remaking Topgun.  And specifically leaving out all the flying parts.

[Dichotomy]

Lovely... they'll screw them up for sure.  Go me for not checking IMDB before I stuck my foot in my mouth 

[E25280]

Wow, most of what would have been mine have already been covered . . . Starship Troopers, anything Steven King, and anything Tom Clancy.  I didn't bother with Sum of All Fears -- Clear and Present Danger made sure I would never bother to see a "Clancy Movie" ever again.  I had seen Red October before I read the book -- liked the movie, but the book ruined it, if that makes any sense.  The only Stephen King movie I like is Misery, so I refuse to read the book for the reason I wish I hadn't read Red October.

[sluggish]

The Stand - Stephen King

I could live with the casting with the exception of Molly Ringwald but the script was horrible, the cinematography looked like is was done in a high school studio, and the script adaptation was reprehensible.

Yup and yup.

I went into The Stand with apprehension.  It is easily my favorite piece of fiction EVA and there was no way ANYTHING could have met my expectations. 

The problem with King is that you can't do his work justice.  The only adaptation of his that was any good was Kubric's version of The Shining (and King himself hated it so much as to remake it a few years ago [stinker]).  I stand by my opinion that the only thing that saved that movie was Jack Nicholson's performance.

I would love to see The Stand done again in the same vein as Band of Brothers by HBO.  Part of the reason it failed (for me) was the ABC mini-series treatment it was given.

[sluggish]

I thought Misery actually was better on film than the book. But yeah, generally true.

Oh yeah, I forgot about Misery.  Woulda probly sukd without Cathy Bates though...

[moot]

I didn’t know they made a movie out of it...  Sahara was entertaining but was too witty and light hearted, not a good adaptation of the book.  I know this is not from book to screen but what do ya’ll think about Reeves remaking The Day The Earth Stood Still?

The Day The Earth Stood Still And Said Whoa!
The man/nature thing sounds like what Shialaman tried in Happening.  Reeves lead actor + cheesy premise = ...

[Guppy35]

Raise the Titanic by Clive Cussler.  Awesome story, movie really, really stunk.  Cussler can't get a break either.  His other book, Sahara was also a flop when it went to the silver screen.

Absolutely.  Loved the books as they are great 'escape' books with a nice history touch.  I hated the movies.  I remember Raise the Titanic on film and wondered what the heck i was watching.


"Shane" would be another for me.  Read the book any number of times.  Saw it on film and thought what is this?  I know some consider it a classic film, but I couldn't stand it.

Agreed on "The Outsiders" as well. 

I think the hardest part for me with any book to movie, is I already have the character's in my head and rarely do the actors come close to what I imagined.

[Cthulhu]

"Shane" would be another for me.  Read the book any number of times.  Saw it on film and thought what is this?  I know some consider it a classic film, but I couldn't stand it.

Corny at times, but loved the movie. Was in Jackson Hole a few years ago. Was driving past the Grand Tetons on the way to Yellowstone. Looked out the window and went "Holy Crap", this is where Stevens filmed Shane. Weird how I never thought about it till that moment.

I think the hardest part for me with any book to movie, is I already have the character's in my head and rarely do the actors come close to what I imagined.

This is true for all of us. That's why almost all movie adaptations fall short in our eyes. Probably the best example I can give is Lord Of The Rings. Studios avoided it for decades because they knew the hardcore fans would set the bar really high. Only with killer CG, a great director, and a healthy budget did they feel thy could pull it off without being crucified. And I know plenty of people who still gripe about it.
With me it was "Mr. Clark" in Clear and Present Danger. Really like Willem Defoe, but as Mr. Clark? NOT. In my mind, Mr Clark is either Tom Berenger or maybe a "pre-fat" Steven Segal. But that's just me. Someone else may see Willem Defoe, or maybe even Will Ferrell.

[Sox62]

"Shane" would be another for me.  Read the book any number of times.  Saw it on film and thought what is this?  I know some consider it a classic film, but I couldn't stand it.

Yep.I still have an original paperback that my dad bought back in his youth.

The book is told through the eyes of the boy,and you get a sense that this man is lethal.The farmers are scared of him,and soon thereafter the ranchers get a very healthy respect for him and avoid him.

People if you haven't read the book,it's a treat.

[Shifty]

Most recent book to movie disappointment for me was Shooter with Marl Wahlberg.  In no way did it do Point of Impact, the book it was based on any justice.

[Cthulhu]

Yep.I still have an original paperback that my dad bought back in his youth.

The book is told through the eyes of the boy,and you get a sense that this man is lethal.The farmers are scared of him,and soon thereafter the ranchers get a very healthy respect for him and avoid him.

People if you haven't read the book,it's a treat.

Guess it's kinda hard to convey real malice when the guy playing the title role is 4'6".   

[bj229r]

Timeline---utterly butchered the can't-put-it-down-book by Michael Crichton, turned it into a bad Arnold move (which is of course, redundant)

[bongaroo]

Timeline---utterly butchered the can't-put-it-down-book by Michael Crichton, turned it into a bad Arnold move (which is of course, redundant)

totally agree.  good read, horrible movie.