Hollywood movie makers have been using books as source material for decades. As a writer and a fan of crime fiction murder-mystery thrillers, I thought I’d list three of my favorite reads that have been adapted for the big screen.
The Godfather written by Mario Puzo.
I was only fifteen when the book was first published in 1969, but didn’t read the book until the latter part of the 70’s. The book blew my mind! It opened up a world I had no idea existed - the world of organized crime. Violence, murder, family, loyalty and betrayal with terms like consigliere, caporegimes and the ‘Don.’ The book was significant in my life in that it ignited my imagination and cemented my fondness for crime fiction novels. The Godfather went on to win many literary awards and became a significant work of fiction. The movie was released in 1972 with an X rating. I wasn’t old enough to get into the theater and I had to wait until 1987 when the movie was released on VHS. Starring Marlon Brando, James Caan, Al Pacino and Robert Duvall, to name only a few, the movie became an instant classic and is regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made. It’s hard to imagine anyone not having seen the movie, but if you haven’t, do yourself a favor before watching it – read the book!
Silence of the Lambs written by Thomas Harris was published in 1988. Wow, what a book! I loved it. It was such an unnerving read, I found myself having to read it during daylight hours. It’s a psychosocial horror thriller that pits Jack Crawford, an FBI psychosocial profiler, and FBI trainee Clarice Starling working with cannibalistic serial killer, Hannibal Lecter, to try and solve the case of a serial killer named “Buffalo Bill.” The characters, the settings, the dialogue, the story line and the plot were all brilliant. The book had me hooked from page one. I had a tough time putting it down.
The movie was released in 1991 to massive box office success taking home the Big Five Oscars that year. Jodie Foster, Scott Glen, Anthony Hopkins and Ted Levine are just a few of the brilliant actors to star in the film. Before you see the movie show the writer some respect and read the book first, allow your imagination to run free from the influence of the big screen adaption.
Get Shorty written by Elmore Leonard was published in 1990. Elmore Leonard is perhaps my favourite crime fiction writer. He was awarded the Grandmaster Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Crime Writers of America. The novel tells the story of “Chili” Palmer a small-town loan shark based in Miami, a mobster named Ray “Bones” Barboni and a deadbeat dry cleaner named Leo Devoe who scammed an airline out of $300,00.00 in insurance money. The book contains all the hallmarks of an Elmore Leonard novel – gritty realism, interesting characters and strong dialogue. I have read many Leonard novels and Get Shorty is perhaps his most entertaining. The movie was released in 1995 staring John Travolta in the lead role, Dennis Farina, Delroy Lindo, Rene Russo and Danny Devito. It’s the kind of movie that doesn’t get nominated for awards, but boy it was fun to watch…but first read the book!