Want to discover the “origin story” of some popular books and films? Check out this list of titles from the Distracted Librarians’ most recent discussion: Stories We Didn’t Know Were Adaptations.
Titles Based on Folklore and Mythology
High school senior Sam lives at the beck and call of her self-obsessed step-mother Fiona and her wicked step-sisters. With her sights set on attending Princeton, Sam finds her less-than-sparkling social life wonderfully complicated when she meets her Prince Charming online. But when her cyber soul mate turns out to her high school’s ultra-popular quarterback Austin, Sam makes a mad dash back to reality. Fearing rejection if her secret is revealed, Sam dodges Austin’s efforts to discover the identity of his princess.
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
Disney’s memorable film adaptation of the classic fairy tale. Cinderella has faith her dreams of a better life will come true. With help from her loyal mice friends and a wave of her Fairy Godmother’s wand, Cinderella’s rags are magically turned into a glorious gown, and off she goes to the Royal Ball. But when the clock strikes midnight, the spell is broken, leaving only a single glass slipper, the only key to the ultimate fairy-tale ending!
When the beautiful maiden Buttercup hears that her true love Westley is dead, she reluctantly agrees to marry the loathsome Prince Humperdinck. After Westley returns to rescue Buttercup, the two begin an epic adventure filled with fencing, fighting, giants, monsters, miracles, true love and hilarity! A film adaptation of the novel.
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
The Princess Bride / William Goldman
William Goldman’s modern fantasy classic is a simple, exceptional story about quests-for riches, revenge, power, and, of course, true love-that’s thrilling and timeless. Anyone who lived through the 1980s may find it impossible-inconceivable, even-to equate The Princess Bride with anything other than the sweet, celluloid romance of Westley and Buttercup, but the film is only a fraction of the ingenious storytelling you’ll find in these pages. Rich in character and satire, the novel is set in 1941 and framed cleverly as an “abridged” retelling of a centuries-old tale set in the fabled country of Florin that’s home to “Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passions.”
Shrek
A reclusive ogre and a chatterbox donkey go on a quest to rescue a princess for a tyrannical lord. The first film in the beloved Dreamworks series.
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
Shrek / William Steig
Horribly hideous Shrek leaves home and terrifies everyone he encounters in his search for his equally ugly bride. A storybook for young readers featuring familiar fairytale themes.
Titles Based on Poems and Plays
Disney’s “live action” adaptation of the original film. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother, and former heir to the throne, has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy, and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
Hamlet / William Shakespeare
In this production set in modern times, Prince Hamlet plots revenge after he discovers his uncle murdered his father, the king. This filmed BBC production of Shakespeare’s most famous play stars David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, Penny Downie, and Oliver Ford Davies, and Maria Gale.
When sadistic young thugs senselessly attack a brilliantly lethal ex-assassin, they have no idea that they’ve just awakened the boogeyman. With New York City as his bullet-riddled playground, Wick embarks on a merciless rampage, hunting down his adversaries with the skill and ruthlessness that made him an underworld legend. The first film in a series, all of which feature themes from timeless Greek mythology and its related literature.
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
The Iliad / Homer
The centuries old epic about the wrath of Achilles is rendered into modern English verse by a renowned translator and accompanied by an introduction that reassesses the identity of Homer. In Robert Fagles’ beautifully rendered text, the Iliad overwhelms us afresh. The huge themes godlike, yet utterly human of savagery and calculation, of destiny defied, of triumph and grief compel our own humanity.
From creator Patrick McHale, one of the minds behind Adventure Time. Cartoon Networks first every animated mini-series. It follows the story of two brothers, Greg and Wirt, who find themselves in a strange forest. Along the way, they meet a bluebird named Beatrice who helps them navigate the strange land in the hopes of making their way home.
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
Inferno / Dante Alighieri
The first part of The Divine Comedy, the classic trilogy poem of faith which follows the author (with his guide Virgil) through the circles of hell, describing the sinners and punishments witnessed there.
A corporate raider pays a gorgeous and vivacious escort to be his companion for an important business week in Beverly Hills . . . and then falls heads-over-heels in love with her. Based on the story of Pygmalion from Greek mythology.
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
Pygmalion / George Bernard Shaw
A brilliantly witty reworking of the classical tale of the sculptor who falls in love with his perfect female statue, it is also a barbed attack on the British class system and a statement of Shaw’s feminist views. In Shaw’s hands, the phoneticist Henry Higgins is the Pygmalion figure who believes he can transform Eliza Doolittle, a cockney flower girl, into a duchess at ease in polite society. The one thing he overlooks is that his ‘creation’ has a mind of her own.
Cameron is the new kid in school who becomes smitten with the beautiful Bianca. But Bianca’s overprotective and domineering father forbids Bianca to date unless her older sister Kat, an surly and hostile senior, does. In a bid to get Kat a boyfriend, Cameron sets up a plan to have the school stud, Joey Donnar, bribe Patrick Verona, an outcast senior with a rumor-filled past, to take Kat out on dates so he can go to the school’s homecoming dance with Bianca. However, neither Patrick or Kat expect their relationship to lead to something so much more.
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
The Taming of the Shrew / William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s comedy tells the tale of the sharp-tongued Kate, who must marry before her younger sister, Bianca, is allowed to find a suitor. Undaunted by her waspish reputation Petruchio attempts to woo the not-so-fair maiden, but is faced with a tirade of poisonous insults.
Titles Based on Serials and Novels
In her mid-thirties, still single and still being set up with dates by her mom, Bridget decides she needs to make a change in her life. She falls for her boss who uses her and then dumps her. In the meantime, Bridget keeps running into the divorced guy her mom tried to set her up with, and he happens to be ex-friends with her boss. She uses her diary as a confessional and she begins to wonder if she will ever find true love. Based on the novel by Helen Fielding.
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
Mr. Bennet is an English gentleman living in Hartfordshire with his overbearing wife and five daughters. There is the beautiful Jane, the clever Elizabeth, the bookish Mary, the immature Kitty and the wild Lydia. Unfortunately, if Mr. Bennet dies their house will be inherited by a distant cousin whom they have never met. The family’s future happiness and security is dependent on the daughters making good marriages. Life is uneventful until the arrival in the neighborhood of the rich gentleman Mr. Bingley, who rents a large house so he can spend the summer in the country. Mr. Bingley brings with him his sister and the dashing, rich, but proud Mr. Darcy. Love is soon buds for one of the Bennet sisters, while another sister may have jumped to a hasty prejudgment. For the Bennet sisters many trials and tribulations stand between them and their happiness. Based on the classic novel by Jane Austen.
With the help of Lt. Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to destroy organized crime in Gotham for good. The triumvirate proves effective. But soon the three find themselves prey to a rising criminal mastermind, known as The Joker, who thrusts Gotham into anarchy and forces Batman closer to crossing the fine line between hero and vigilante.
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
A Tale of Two Cities / Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens’ masterful historical novel, set in Paris and London during the French Revolution, combines life-and-death adventure with a moving personal story. Lucie Manette, daughter of a revolutionary hero, and Charles Darnay, an aristocrat sympathetic to the poor, are in love. When vengeful revolutionaries seize Charles, can Lucie’s friend, Sydney Carton, save him – and at what cost?
After a little white lie about her dating life gets out, a clean cut high school girl sees her life paralleling Hester Prynne’s in The Scarlet Letter, which she is currently studying in school. Hoping to become popular, she decides to use the rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
The Scarlet Letter / Nathanial Hawthorne
The story of Hester Prynne, a young woman who has borne an illegitimate child and must suffer the consequences in the stifling atmosphere of Puritan New England.
When a young girl who has lived in Africa and been homeschooled moves to New York, she must enter a public high school. Survival of the fittest takes on a whole new meaning when she falls for the ex-boyfriend of the most popular girl in school. The only title on this list that’s based on a nonfiction book!
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
Queen Bees and Wannabes / Rosalind Wiseman
A New York Times best-selling guide on how cliques shape girls’ lives offers insight into gender-based power plays, early adolescence, and the role of a parent’s history in shaping parenting choices.
Oliver is a homeless kitten who roams the streets of New York City. There, he is taken in by a gang of homeless mutts who survive by stealing from others. During one of these criminal acts, Oliver meets a wealthy young girl named Jenny Foxworth. This meeting will forever change his life.
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
Oliver Twist / Charles Dickens
Born into a miserable workhouse orphanage, Oliver eventually flees to London, where the cheerful Artful Dodger immediately befriends him and introduces him to the villainous Fagin and his gang of thieves. Temporarily rescued from the prospect of a life of crime by the kindly Mr. Brownlow, Oliver finds himself pursued by savage thief Bill Sikes and the enigmatic Monks. A film adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel of the same name.
Wealth, beauty, and power define the residents of New York’s most exclusive community, but one woman will stop at nothing to exact revenge from those who ruined her father’s life. Witness Emily Thorne’s brilliantly vindictive plot against Victoria Grayson, the reigning queen of the Hamptons, and all who destroyed her family. However, even the best-laid plans can unravel in the wake of an unexpected love triangle between Emily, the son of her greatest nemesis, and a forgotten face from her past.
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
The Count of Monte Cristo / Alexandre Dumas
The Count of Monte Cristo is an adventure novel by French author Alexandre Dumas published in 1846. The story takes place in France, Italy, and the Mediterranean during the era of the Bourbon Restoration through the reign of Louis-Philippe of France. Wrongfully imprisoned on the eve of his wedding, Edmond Danẗs escapes from jail, inherits a fortune, and sets about exacting revenge on those responsible for his imprisonment. Devastating consequences ensue for both the innocent and the guilty in a story of romance, loyalty, betrayal, vengeance, selfishness, and justice. One of the author’s most popular works, the book is considered a literary classic today.
Two adventurers accidentally end up on a ship to the New World and once there, they unintentionally discover El Dorado, the city of gold.
. . . which is based on . . .
Based on a Rudyard Kipling story (of the same name) and packed with spectacle, humor, excitement, and bold twists of fate. Sean Connery and Michael Caine — chins out, shoulders squared and with a sly wink — star as British Sergeants Danny Dravot and Peachy Carnehan. The Empire was built by men like these two. Now they’re out to build their own empire, venturing into remote Kafiristan to become rich as kings.
Titles Based on Full-Length Films
Journey inside the miniature world of bugs where an ant named Flik hires warrior bugs to defend his colony from a horde of freeloading grasshoppers.
. . . which is an adaptation of . . .
The town of Rose Creek is under the deadly control of Bartholomew Bogue, the townspeople are desperate for protection. They find protection in seven outlaws. These seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money.
. . . which is also an adaptation of . . .
The citizens of a small Mexican farming village hire seven gun fighters to defend them from a ruthless and exploitative group of bandits led by Calvera. As Calvera’s next raid approaches, the peasants and the gun fighters work together to prepare to defend the village.
. . . which is ALSO an adaptation of . . .
Tells the story of a sixteenth-century village whose desperate inhabitants hire seven out-of-work warriors to protect them from invading bandits.
