Books into movies...

[fajrdrako]

From March 12, 2009: Tami inspired this week’s question: What book do you think should be made into a movie? And do you have any suggestions for the producers?

I think my favourite series should be made into movies, or perhaps well-made miniseries:

1. The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett. Well-nigh impossible, probably, because what actor could ever adequately portray Lymond? On the other hand, I never thought anyone could adequately portray Aragorn son of Arathorn till I saw Viggo Mortensen in the role. These things can be done.
   
   
2. These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer. I'd like to cast Johnny Depp as the Duke of Avon - not that he is anything like my mental image of Avon, but wouldn't he gorgeous? And camp? And dangerous?
   
   Alternately, I'd like to see just about Any Georgette Heyer novel as a movie, done with the skill and care they've given to Jane Austen in the past. No, not the one with Keira Knightly - something true to the period.
   
   
3. The Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold. Again, finding someone who could adequately portray Miles Vorkosigan would be a challenge, but not impossible. Given today's technology, I think David Tennant could do it.
   
   
4. Karin Lowachee's series about pirates, orphan boys and the battleship Macedon that starts with Warchild. Space opera with a psychological twist. Difficult because much of the action is interior (and with suspect narrators at that); but what gorgeous results we might get.
   
   
5. Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett, because I want to see Sam Vimes onscreen.
   
   
6. Megan Whalen Turner's series about Gen that starts with The Thief. Difficult because the writing is so devious, but... colourful, exciting, beautiful.
   
   
7. An artful remake of Prince of Foxes by Samuel Shellabarger, or any of his books.

For the second part of the question: I wouldn't stop anyone from making anything into a movie. There are lots of movies I wouldn't - and won't - go to see, including a rather high proportion of the ones that do get made. No big deal.

Comments

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Especially given that it's clear that both men are psychological/emotional casualties of war. The Sergeant-Major hasn't adjusted to civilian life, and is obsessive and violent, while the young officer is also in difficulties, as per this exchange with the heroine, when she asks him about his war experience:
Helen: Was it very bad?
[Hugh doesn't answer; his expression is hard to read in the darkness of the car]
Helen: Well, you're back now.
Hugh: Am I? Sometimes I wonder…

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Oh, good dialogue!

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

And of course, he just looks so young and vulnerable... but you know has come through 4 years of absolute hell.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Interesting circumstances. And the background for some very good fiction.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

Indeed. And the film also has a very open ending, which would allow for fic.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Definitely!