Another quick post tonight – tomorrow you will hear about my London exploits, if you haven’t already spotted them on other blogs, but for today there is a competition to win one of two DVDs of Pillars of the Earth, originally a novel by Ken Follett. It’s got Ian McShane, Donald Sutherland, and Rufus Sewell in it. I haven’t actually been watching the series, since my television watching seems to be taken up by Emmerdale and Neighbours, but I know some of you are definitely interested. You can watch a trailer here – and, if you’re in Region 2 area (Europe, I assume?) feel free to enter the draw for a copy – courtesy of Momentum Worldwide.
To enter, just write in the comments which book you’d most like to see adapted…
A really cinematic "Summer Book" by Tove Jansson. Or "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" (Jackson). Or a proper version of Susan Cooper's "Dark is Rising".
Would love to see a film version of "Romancing Miss. Bronte" by Juliet Gael.
It was not clear to me whether overseas readers other than from Europe were being restricted. If so, please do not count me in!
Here lies Arthur by Philip Reeve – a very realistic view of Arthurian myth that won the Carnegie Award, but not just a children's book.
Shelf of One's Own – ooo, two of my definite choices there! I'd especially love to see a film of the Shirley Jackson – only they'd probably make it far too scary for me.
Mystica – I said just Europe because I don't think the DVD would work elsewhere, but perhaps you can play Region 2 DVDs?
Annabel – in the hat you go!
Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita, surely that could make for a stunning film! Rats, it already has been by Vladimir Bortko.
OK try again – Colette's Ripening Seed though again I think this has been the influence for a French film made in the 1950's. Well anyway it's surely time for a re-make!
Final choice, and I think I'm on safer ground here, Murukami's Norwegian Wood, such a wonderful book. Arrgh! they have just made it, to be released in December 2010. Final choice will thus be Kafka on the Shore.
Post Lord of the Rings, I think the technology now exists to make a wonderful film adaptation of "Gormenghast". Or lese "Bel Ami" by Guy de Maupassant, or Zola's The Ladies' Paradise"……
Dear Ctussaud, there is the 6 hour long BBC "mini series" of Gormenghast which I felt was a fairly good shot at an adaption. DVD released 2001.
The Zola has been made into at least two films already (1930 and 1943).
Bel Ami has just been filmed (again) and is due for release in December 2010 by Protagonist Pictures.
I think it's proving quite hard (see my attempt) to come up with a classic that hasn't already been filmed!
Oh please do enter me – I would love to win the DVD! :o) I would like to see an adaptation of Sarah Waters' A Little Stranger. I was quite disappointed by the book, but the comments to my review of the book made me think that there was more to the book than I gave it credit more. Maybe a good adptation would make me apprecaite the book more.
Please please enter me in the draw! I would really like to see "Vile Bodies" by Evelyn Waugh or "The Crimson Petal and the White" adapted to the silver screen!
Well I've been waiting forever for the Hobbit to be adapted…..one day when Peter Jackson gets his way
The Book of Lost Things would make a brilliant film, or Neil Gaimans Neverwhere or American Gods (I think they did a TV adaptation of Neverwhere?)
Please pop my name in the hat
Ta very much
Don't put my name in the hat – they won't work over here, but I'm with Jessica, I'd like to see Peter Jackson do the Hobbit. I thought I read that it was in the works, but I don't keep up with film stuff.
They said that Titanic and Lord of the Rings couldn't be done – but they have been, so maybe they'll have a go at Sebastian Faulk's Birdsong (they'll managed it on stage).
Hope you've survived your long working day Si.
I'd like to see "Diary of a Provincial Lady".
Such a brilliant film!!!
I'm live in the wrong corner of the earth to enter but just wanted to pop in and say thank you for the 'heads up' re: DVD.
I didn't know it existed and will be tracking it down now.
Felicity x
Anything by Matthew Reilly. I love a good action film, maybe Seven Ancient Wonders
I wonder whether it could be played here in melbourne? Anyone knows???
Hi Simon – hope your cold goes soon. Re the film: How about The Poisonwood Bible? Could draw people's attention to the Congo which is still in a mess I hear. They'd have to make sure there was some humour in it, which in the book is often provided by the thoughts of the sullen teenager who just wants to live a 'normal' American life.
Am reading 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil' which apart from having a great title could also be a good film (though I don't know how it ends yet).
I admit to being a tart for a costume drama, so I would go for The Shuttle, or Making of a Marchioness.
I am in Canada, but have an all region player, so please include me in the draw.
I was going to say I really wanted On Chesil Beach to be filmed but it turns out they already are! Can I have my name in the hat anyway!? I would also like to see The Night Watch by Sarah Waters adapted… lge.
I would love to see the Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizabeth Peters adapted for tv. And Sarah Waters' The Night Watch. It would be wonderful.