10 Movies That Were A Million Times Better Than The Book

To say that a movie is better than the book that it was based on is often considered sacrilege. Surely no movie is better than the greatness of pen and paper? Surely no movie can offer the same unique and personal perspective of an author's vision? Surely no movie can capture the wonderful world of literature and all that are involved? Surely... OK, you get the picture.

In most cases, this does tend to be correct. The film world, albeit amazing in its own right, doesn't quite have the same impact that a book can have on its audience. It lacks that special something that makes reading so intimate and private.

But then again, it's not a blanket rule and there are many reasons why a movie can outstrip the book it's based on. Sometimes the book lends itself to cinematic adaptation perfectly. Sometimes the book has a good idea but poor execution.

Thirdly and most importantly, sometimes the book is great but the director and scriptwriter have managed to spin their own perspective on the plot and deliver a faithful but also visually different storyline to what you may have expected.

These ones are usually the best ones and the ones that are most remembered.

There is no denying the greatness of Stephen King's writing, but it's fair to say that the record of adaptations from his work has been... uneven.

But sometimes, as with Stand By Me - adapted from The Body - his excellent source material turns into an even better book.

To be fair, the differences between the two are minimal. Both feature four boys, both feature a body, and both represent a sort of coming of age story that somehow manages to redefine a whole new genre.

Yet, the movie steals it solely down to the acting of Will Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O'Connell. All four actors equally excel under the weight of the emotional turmoil of life before adulthood and all the angst that comes with it.