What movie or television adaptation are you most disappointed in?
What movie or television adaptation are you most disappointed in?
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What movie or television adaptation are you most disappointed in?
The handmaids tale
which adaptation, the one from the 1990s, or the current one? i thought the one from the 1990s, with natasha richardson, was pretty good.
The current one.
@Joyce i figured that, but just had to ask.
The first few episodes were good though!
Percy Jackson ? I loved those books.
I agree.
agree could not even watch the second movie
My niece was so upset with how badly that turned out.
Agree!
“IT” the Stephen King horror story.
Timeline by Michael Crichton
DITTO!!!!!!
i liked the movie. but the book was so much better. just like jurassic park. i like crichton in general, and was happy to see most of the plot kept intact. i also liked ER.
Maze Runner
The new Anne of Green Gables (Netflix) – at least the first episode or two
I am still traumatized by that one!
I read chunks of the script, said “That’s not Anne,” and spared myself the waste of time and brain space watching it.
They changed major plot points in it. The last 2 episodes were the worst (Gilbert an orphan dock worker )
Ugh. That’s awful. :S
It was painfully obvious that the writers have never been outside the city limits.
@Kami i could tell by the trailers it was poo.
It was so disappointing! I only watched the first 2 or 3 episodes because the excessive over-dramatization (and plot changes) was so terrible.
The Little Mermaid.
(I still can’t believe what mockery they made of that story. Aren’t children supposed to feel sadness too? Don’t we grow when we explore these emotions?)
And Earthsea (on SyFy) was pretty awful.
I loved the little mermaid was one of my favourite movies as a child. I really didn’t like the story itself if truth be told lol
totally agree @Kat got very angry with the happy ending and the SEQUEL with Ariel’s child!
The Dark Tower. I loved Elba as Roland but wish they had given him a better script to play Roland in
Will
Girl On the Train.
I’m sure there have been loads but the most obvious one for me was Girl on the train. Nothing was right about that movie other than the naked shower scenes with Luke Evans ?
Oooh! That brings to mind… We just watched the old “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” with Gene Wilder. Way slower than I remember. Took half the movie just to get to the factory. The Tim Burton “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” suits Roald Dahl’s style a bit better than the old one…except for the whole dentist dad backstory. Both Willy Wonka characters have their merits. The movies are not whole disappointments – but combine different elements from both of the movies, and you’d end up with a total disappointment or a great success. Haha!
Besides Percy Jackson movies, The Flowers in the Attic movie from the 80’s,
IT, not even Tim Curry as Pennywise could save the TV mini series. I’m hoping the upcoming movie is better
East of Eden
The American movie version of Hitchhiker’s Guide.
I enjoyed that one.
The BBC tv series was better
What? I didn’t even know there was one. I’ve listened to the original radio broadcast, listened to the book, and watched the movie. I need to see that too.
The effects are not as flashy. Kind of like old Dr. Who but it’s totally the book.
Douglas Adams had a lot of input into the series but less so with the film. I think he died around the time of filming/release
Yes.
I think you’re right @Janine. The only thing I didn’t hate was Mos Def as Ford Prefect.
I really enjoyed the movie, the book, and radio broadcast even though they were all different.
@Jeffrey Many people did. I am actually okay with a lot of the film/book adaptations other people have posted. Maybe if I hadn’t seen the BBC tv series I would have been okay but honestly I don’t think Americans do good adaptations of British works and vice versa. The worst version of Suddenly Last Summer I have ever seen starred Maggie Smith as the mother and she sucked as a toxic Southern mother. And I think Douglas Adams is one of the true comedic geniuses in fiction. He is everything I aspire to be while not being derivative. So of course I’m not objective.
@Marcy Douglas Adams was unique to say the least. You’re right, British and American humor is a lot different because humor is such a subtle art.
Water for Elephants.
Eragon.
Agree! It was so bad, they didn’t even try to make the rest of the movies
Yes! I remember being in 5th grade when the movie came out and I had just finished the book. I was SOOOOO excited. Then I saw the movie and was like, “wtf”. ?
The movie was awful, but the books are wonderful.
I still have all the books in hardcover, I loved them. I threw the movie out.
I’ve had the same copy since I was in 5th grade (I’m 21 now.). Paperback and still looks good as new.
<<32 now :) Had them since they came out. But mine don't look good as new haha. Now, to get my son to read them.
I hope he does! I loved them as a kid. I hope my girls read them when they’re older too.
Oh my gosh, it was so bad I forgot it existed!
The Mortal Instruments
OMG YES. Though I will say I went along with it until Valentine showed up. Then I was a ball of fury.
I was going to watch this on Netflix but now I won’t
Ella Enchanted
YES
The Dan Brown movies with Tom Hanks were awful.
Practical Magic. One of my top ten favorite books, but the movie was dreadful.
Lonesome Dove by Larry Mcmurtry. The television series was awful!
Yes! Lonesome Dove is one of my favorite books. I liked Tommy Lee Jones, but Robert Duvall and Anjelica Houston were too different in looks and demeanor from the characters in the book, at least for me.
I liked the movie. I was talking about the lame ass weekly tv series that ran for a couple years. Maybe it was just a show here in Canada.
I don’t watch much tv, so I couldn’t tell you if it was a series or not. Sorry I misread your comment. I’ll be more careful in the future.
Lol. I don’t think an apology is necessary. There was a 6 hour mini series made (that’s the one with Robert Duvall), then after that, there was a weekly television series for a couple years that was plain awful.
Prince of Tides. I hated what Barbra Streisand did to that movie. (Although I do like her in other movies.)
if she wasn’t the director, i think it would have been great. she tailored it so she would be the focal point, which should not have been the case. what about other conroy adaptations, like the great santini?
Agree. The Great Santini was excellent! I don’t think I’ve seen any other adaptations.
I haven’t seen the whole movie but I disliked the book so much I vowed to quit reading novels. Which I didn’t stick with.
Harry Potter, I loved the books so much but I lost interest after I saw the first three movies
The first movies did a beautiful job creating the world and and finding the kids but it was lacking and in parts cheesy. 90 minutes isn’t enough time to do it justice. Moments like Harry finding Christmas presents from Mrs. Weasley were shortchanged. Not telling the Greyback story correctly. I’m glad they took their time with the last book, breaking it into two.
Bonfire of the vanities
Dresden Files. Seriously, a Hockey Stick as a blasting rod? Really? And Murphy is a short blonde, NOT a tall leggy brunette! Luckily it was canceled quickly.
I have to second this. I would love to see a good Dresden Files adaptation. I’ve read all the books twice and I couldn’t make it through one episode of the awful tv show. Why was Bob a person and not just a skull? Wouldn’t it have been easier and cheaper to just have a talking skull?
I read somewhere something was in the works. That said, I am only on Cold Days and REFUSE to Google ANYTHING to do with DF or JB until I am done with Skin Game. I have been hurt too many times in the past. 😀
I third it!
I watched the show and liked it (mostly because of the lead) enough to seek out the books, which I enjoyed so much better.
@Kris I am SO glad something good came out of that atrocity.
@Kris Yeah, Paul Blackthorn is really good on Arrow too.
I could see Netflix doing a better job of an adaptation.
Kris, that is an amazing idea. Please please Netflix Gods do this!
My Sister’s Keeper. We went as a book discussion group – we could hardly contain our anger lol
Changing the entire ending of a movie is so wrong!
100% agree with this one
Mystic River, Eragon, Under the Dome
Under the Dome! Such demented scenery-chewing and drama school posing and emoting. Unwatchable.
I actually enjoyed mystic river, although never read book
I don’t know how I managed it but I suffered through the entire series of Under the Dome!
@Haley I enjoyed the book, you should give it a shot
@Rebecca You have more patience than I do! I made it through most of the first season but just couldn’t finish it, I was so disappointed.
Yeah I look back and wonder why did I do that to myself!? I think I persevered because my mother was watching it and she actually enjoyed it, so I started to think I was just being too harsh haha
Probably,all of them …I Always find the book better ,the adaptation kills somehow the book’s soul ,even though i like movies but not those i already know as books ,it was the case for :me before you , memoirs of a geisha ,the perks of being a wallflower ,eat pray love…etc
I thought the movie was good on it’s own but it changed the ending. The book ending was so much scarier – I thought
thought of another one Confessions of a Shopaholic, had it on dvr but could not watch it, was thrown off by the fact it was set in the US. If they can’t even get the country of origin correct what else did they get wrong and change.
Oh that’s a great example, too! The book was SO much better!
agree
I like your style, @Amanda!
I was hoping the upcoming Palacio’s Wonder will capture the essence of the boom
50 shades movies suck!! the books were great reads! Soooo disappointed!
Two of my favorite books are White Oleander and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. I hate both of those movies with a passion.
Good to know I picked up the auto book of Divine Secrets and I really like the movie
LOVED White Oleander but liked the movie as well.
I have a feeling that because I loved the writing so much, I would’ve been disappointed with any version of a movie. My expectations were just too high, lol.
Shadowhunters
I love to hate-watch that series.
Yes! My son and I watch this together but it really is like torture! haha
One Day. Brilliant book, shockingly bad film.
My Sister’s Keeper.
Prince of Tides, The Great Santini
So what was the book ending? I always ask
Stardust (loved some parts)
Now I have to go read Stardust. Loved the movie.
The whole Dniro thing is for the movie but that’s ok, he’s adorable. There were a lot of magical little things wrong. The characterizations were great in the movie but the details lacked.
I’ve been curious about that one! I enjoyed the movie pretty well. When I later discovered it was a book – and that it was written by Neil Gaiman (who wrote the Graveyard Book – fascinating read), I became more curious to read the actual story.
If you liked Graveyard you’ll like Stardust.
Anything by Steven King. I generally really enjoy the books, and hate the movies like wildfire.
Green Mile. Shawshank. Dolores Claiborne are notable exceptions.
@Kevin Agreed!
Totally agree. His books are so good and the adaptations always fall very short.
Stand by Me was good and I enjoyed Hearts in Atlantis.
The host, I loved that book even though it started so slow. The movie was awful! Honestly though most of them don’t even come close.
The Green Lantern. I’m a huge fan of the comics and it was pitiful.
All the Pretty Horses.
Agatha Raisin and Hamish McBeth. Both by M.C. Beaton
The Shining.
ABSOLUTELY!
Twilight! The first movie was awful!
The Magicians, Dresden Files
A Beautiful Mind .
I loved this film thought it was amazing
not me.
Cloud Atlas
The Lovely Bones & My Sister’s Keeper
Yes!!!
I waited over 20 years from when the rights were purchased to the premiere of the movie adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s On The Road. What a mess!
VI Warshawski
@Jenny have you seen the movie?
Love Rosie, based on Rosie Dunne by Cecelia Aherne
Mists of Avalon.
The Giver
Absolutely!
Yup… but I felt the ending didn’t match the rest of the story so I wondered if it was different than the book
There was a Terry Pratchett Colour of Magic adaption with David Jason as Rincewind. Pitiful.
The Horse whisperer
I was so angry at that movie after reading the book
“Anne with an e”
Totally agree. What a disappointment.
Ugh! Agreed.
@Jenny spoiler: in the book, Mae supports the Circle vision, outs the founder who decided that everything had gone too far, her friend worked too hard and instead of going to Scotland- has a mental breakdown and Mae suggests that because her friend is in a coma it’s not fair for her mind not to be transparent and they work on figuring out a way to see what she’s thinking.
Huh… maybe I’ll read it. Sounds way more complicated
As most books are. Lol
the godfather wrong actor playing the part.
I thought The Last Don was better.
The Dark Tower.
I haven’t seen it. Is it really dreadful? I understand it’s a continuation.
It’s terrible. It really is. Even if it was supposed to be a continuation, it should’ve been way better.
I’ll save myself the pain on the strength of that. . A wait for Telecine it is.?
I wish I waited lol
Water for Elephants – loved the book
I loved the book, too, so I didn’t see the movie. It couldn’t have captured that book.
Agree with that too. What a terrible adaptation.
I actually seen the movie first and thought it was OK, so I had to hunt up the book. As always the book didn’t disappoint!
Longmire. It changed the main characters in so many ways, the original is gone. And it has also ruined the book series–Craig Johnson seems to be writing for the TV series, not for the book series.
World War Z! They crapened it!
The Book Thief. They left out so much!
Ella enchanted.
Ditto. Childhood ruined.
When I was a kid, I kept trying to watch movie adaptations. After the horrible Percy Jackson and Eragon movies, I don’t usually bother with adaptations now. (Although I’ll admit that Harry Potter and Hunger Games movies were decent.)
Before I go to sleep
Ugh. The book was soooooo good. The movie… Eh.
Zoo.
@Jenny if you do, let me know your thoughts
Deal
I haaaated the Harry Potter movies. I gave up after 5 (which I sort of liked, because it cut out a lot of Harry’s angsty screaming).
I will never understand why they need to change major plot points. If you don’t like the story, DON’T MAKE THE MOVIE.
Dune
which version? I loved the first Dune movie – the one with Sting and Linda @Omnt.
horrendous.
@Melanie sorry, that’s the one I had a hard time watching. I really liked the book and the movie didn’t match what I had visualized.
Another example of different strokes for different folks…I was very impressed with the “steampunk” look of things, and I thought the sandworms were well-done. But everyone has their own opinion..
Without a shadow of a doubt … The Bridges of Madison County. While reading the book I visualised Jessica Lange and Kurt Russell … totally unreasonable of me and I need to get over myself but there ya go!
Outlander. I was able to watch the first several episodes (then changed my cable package) and every week there was another attempted sexual assault on Claire. No.
Safe Harbor
Legend of the Seeker
The Dark Tower
Scarlett
Cinderella
If I look at the Disney versions as their own story instead of a telling of the actual story, it helps. Had to do this with both of Disney’s Beauty and the Beasts as well. If a whole culture makes it their own (as in Sapsorrow for Cinderella or East O’ the Sun and West O’ the Moon for Beauty and the Beast), I really enjoy it. When a writer just tweaks a story to make a movie, it really bugs me unless I see the movie’s story as its own “thing.” What specifically bothered you about Cinderella?
I really liked Kenneth Brannaughs interpretation but I have yet to come across a film version of the brothers Grimm Cinderella.
I liked that version too. 🙂 It leaned a little more towards the classic tale. I am actually
(whoops) – quite glad nobody has focused on the foot-chopping parts of the original tale, but I do miss a lot of the other elements.
I’m the opposite! Lol I would love to see how the gore would fare on film, I’m not sure how they would market it either but I’d be the first to buy a ticket to see the foot cutting and birds eye picking
🙂
The Sookie Stackhouse HBO shows – True Bood. They SUCK! Also the Harry Potter movies
The books were fun
I didn’t like the books lol. And I stopped watching the show after the 4th season.
I liked both Sookies — but they were entirely different entities. (I hated how the books ended, though.) I’m not a fan of the HP movies.
The Harry potter movies. 🙁
Shadowhunters on ABC family…ugh!!
OK so I love this show I really do but its now become a stand alone and not a true reflection of the books and its intent – Game of Thrones
Eragon. It was So disappointing!
The count of Monte cristo. I was so pissed off
EVERY Tom Clancy book.
Overall, I think there is a trend toward movies and tv shows being more faithful to the original. I saw the end of a tv showing of a 1930s movie of Wuthering Heights in which Heathcliff and Cathy ended up together. That was mindblowingly wrong. Then there was the 1970s series “Little House on The Prairie.” They shared with the original book… Hmm. The names of the characters and the location and timeframe. And Mary was blind. Every other plot and character point was changed. Blech.
I also hate period dramas where the costumes or hairstyles are totally wrong for the time they are set in. Pride and Prejudice with Victorian gowns, instead of Regency gowns. Anything filmed in the 1960s had the great big bouffant hair, whether it was set in the second world war, or in Tsarist Russia.
Is it Pride and Prejudice, or Gone With The Wind? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032943/mediaviewer/rm962703360
Doesn’t her hair just scream Russia before the revolution of 1917? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059113/mediaviewer/rm2466420736
And this is just how English girls were wearing their hair in 1940, wasn’t it? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064072/mediaviewer/rm3173056512
The Hobbit…love parts, detest parts
DUNE, 1984’s version directed by David Lynch – ugh!
Agreed
They all disappoint on some level. My imagination is so much better than a screenwriter/producer can accomplish.
@Drew
Awesome. Thanks so much!