By SARAH-JANE COLLINS.
There are a lot of films out at the moment that are based on books, Anna Karenina among them. Based on the classic Russian novel by Leo Tolstoy, the tragic love story between Anna Karenina and Count Vronsky has been brought to the silver screen by director Joe Wright. Wright is known for his spectacular period dramas, and Anna Karenina does not disappoint. Starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the classic tale is supported by sumptuous cinematography and detailed period fashions – which make the film a must see this weekend.
Inspired by Anna Karenina, I’ve been thinking about what my favourite book-to-movie adaptations are, and I’ve narrowed it down to five.
Atonement
Ian McEwan’s tragic love story is set primarily in 1930s England, on the estate of a wealthy family with two daughters and a son.
The older daughter is in love with the son of the family’s housekeeper, a handsome, smart lad (well, it’s English after all) who is studying to be a doctor. But the events of one evening, and the subsequent false accusation of the younger daughter changes the lovers’ lives forever. I won’t spoil it, it’s a stunning book, and it’s written in McEwan’s refined, simple, beautiful way. The whole thing is a sumptuous slow-burn and the movie adaption has a similar tone. Atonement, the film, is directed by Joe Wright, who seems to love adapting significant works of fiction for the screen, and casting Keira Knightley in the lead. He did Pride and Prejudice and Anna Karenina as well. But Atonement is the best one. Brilliantly cast and shot, faithful to the story and the book’s surprise reveal at the end.