TANSTAAFL

1. In your opinion, what is the best translation of a book to a movie?
2. The worst?
3. Had you read the book before seeing the movie, and did that make a difference? (Personally, all other things being equal, I usually prefer whichever I was introduced to first.)

1. I have to say that 39 Steps by Alfred Hitchcock,  The Last Sin Eater and Where Eagles Dare would be at the top. Now I would have painted the Last Sin Eater somewhat darker but all in all pretty faithful to the book. I would say that Where Eagles Dare with Clint Eastwood was the closest rendition.
   
2.  I'm sure there are a lot here (if I had time I might think of a better example) but I have to go with Lord of the Rings. Not that it was a bad trilogy at all, quite the contrary it was excellent BUT the thoughts (which are always hard to get in a movie) of the characters, the songs and riddles, and the last part about the Shire are sadly lacking. Don't get me wrong I loved the movies but, like my daughter, who had just read the books, they were a ways off. I guess it was an impossible task though. I just think that the riddles, poems and thoughts of the book really make the book. The closest the movie came to the real Hobbit feel was at the start in Bilbo's home IMHO. Again, I loved the movies but it is impossible to be true to these books.
3. I usually (at least, in the past) read the book first. I normally prefer the book. The movies take away from the images we have set up in our minds AND the movies can not duplicate the thoughts.