Film and TV

‘Film of the Book’ Features

I’m obsessed with comparing film adaptations to the books. I’ve even written a book on the topic – Mirrors, Movies and Magic: 1980s Children’s Films Based on Books.

Do you love books, movies and the 80s? Then come with me on a delightful and dangerous quest to a world of giants, unicorns, detectives, mermaids and more. There will be spooky music and nightmares, but also friendship, heroes and happy ever afters.

This entertaining and opinionated book dives into ten brilliant children’s movies from the 80s: The Last Unicorn, The Neverending Story, The Black Cauldron, Return to Oz, Basil the Great Mouse Detective, The Princess Bride, The Brave Little Toaster, Just Ask for Diamond, The BFG and The Little Mermaid. How do they compare to the original stories? What’s amazing about the movies and are they better than the books? Which moments are pure movie magic and which scenes traumatised their child audience? Crafted with care by a self-confessed bookworm and movie nerd, this unique book takes you on a fascinating and nostalgic journey through some of the best children’s films ever, from one of the most innovative decades, the 1980s.

I have a long-running series of ‘film of the the book’ posts on this blog. Each is a fun comparison and whether I’d recommend watching the film. Here is a selection – you can find more by choosing Film and TV in the Categories drop-down menu at the end or side of this page.

Films for Children and Teens: A Monster Calls (2016) / Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) / The BFG (2016) / Gulliver’s Travels (1939) / Mary Poppins (1964) / Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016) / Mortal Engines (2018) / Sleeping Beauty (1959) / Stormbreaker (2006) / The Fault in Our Stars (2014) / The Giver (2014) / The Railway Children (1970) / The Witches (2020) / The Wizard of Oz (1939) / Thumbelina (1994) / Where the Wild Things Are (2009) / Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)