SCHOOL TIMES : Bestsellers to blockbusters

There has been always a close relationship between best-selling novels and blockbuster movies since the birth of filmmaking concept. From Ben Hur to The DaVinci Code, the main objective of making films out of novels is to showcase the author’s vision of living literature in celluloid. Here are some of the bestsellers’ blockbuster successes. 

The DaVinci Code: This title is a bestseller and the latest blockbuster. Dan Brown’s fictional novel is about Mary Magdalene, who according to the book, is said to be married to Jesus and that their offspring are still alive in this world. The movie adapted on the novel has been released worldwide under direction of Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks and Ian Mckellen. However, the film is mired in controversy.

The Godfather: This novel was written by Mario Puzo. This book is considered one of the greatest mob novels ever written. Paramount studio released the movie version of the book. Directed by Francis Ford Capolla, starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, the movie was also a huge success. 

Dr Zhivago: One of the greatest Russian love legends, this novel was written by Boris Pasternak. It is about a medical doctor Yury and his romance with a married woman Lara set in the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. British director David lean directed a film based on this novel with the same name, which was also a great hit. 

Cold Mountain: One of the best American Civil War novels written by Charles Frazier, based upon the author’s own uncle WP Inman’s journey from the battlefield to meet his sweetheart during the war. The novel was filmed in 2002 with Anthony Minghella as the director and starred Nicole Kidman, Jude law and Renee Zellwegger.

Schindler’s list: Schindler’s list is an outcry of Jews during the holocaust in World War II. Based upon the story of Oskar Schindler, it was written by Thomas Kennely. This best selling novel when it entered the celluloid world, it earned critical success and even won seven Oscars. The film, directed by Steven Spielberg, has some of the world’s most versatile actors like Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes.

The Green Mile: Stephen King’s supernatural, heart touching bestseller The Green Mile is about a prisoner with supernatural power, which was discovered by the prison-guard. Frank Darabont directed the film in which Tom Hanks played the role of the prison guard.

Forrest Gump: Winston Groom’s fantastic novel Forrest Gump is about a mentally-challenged American, Forrest Gump, and his innocent adventures. In 1995, when Tom Hanks played the character of Forrest Gump in a movie based on this novel, the movie became a legend in America and is an all time favourite book and movie. 

The Lord of the Rings: One of the 20th Century’s best child fantasy novels about warlords, goblins, Hobbits, wizards, Orks. This epic tale of a battle between good and evil was written by JRR Tolkein. Peter Jackson filmed the novel starring Elijah Wood and Ian Mckellen, which was a superb hit.

— Nischal Poudyal, Arunima School