Spartacus. Poster of the 2004 TV series and cover of the 1951 book
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Spartacus
Howard Fast, 1951
TV series vs book
Robert Dornhelm, 2004-

The Gaul woman Varinia and her village are attacked by the Romans. Her entire village is taken into slavery, and she is sold to Lentulus Batiatus. Spartacus, a Thracian slave condemned to the mines, attempts to protect another slave and is nearly crucified before Batiatus purchases the man. Spartacus and a handful of other slaves are brought to Batiatus’ ludus to be trained as gladiators.


Ben Hur. Poster of the 2010 TV series and cover of the 1880 book, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
Lew Wallace, 1880
TV series vs book
Steve Shill, 2010

A Jewish nobleman, Judah Ben-Hur, and his adopted Roman brother Messala are best friends despite their different origins. After Ben-Hur develops a bond with the four racing horses, a grateful Ilderim then trains Ben-Hur to be a chariot racer.


Icon. Poster of the 2005 movie and cover of the 1996 book
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Icon
Frederick Forsyth, 1996
movie vs book
Charles Martin Smith, 2005

A former U.S. Operative, who lived in Russia in his earlier years and had been married there with a child, comes out of retirement to face down a former enemy, now running as a candidate for President in modern Russia. Working with a Russian police woman, they work to uncover a plot to use biological weapons against certain factions of the Russian people to commit genocide.


The Ascent. Poster of the 1994 movie and cover of the 1947 book, No Picnic on Mount Kenya
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No Picnic on Mount Kenya
Felice Benuzzi, 1947
movie vs book
Donald Shebib, 1994

The real-life adventure of a dashing Italian soldier who escapes a British prisoner-of-war camp because he dreams of climbing 17,000-foot Mt. Kenya and planting the Italian flag at the summit. The obsessive British camp commander pursues him, and the two men are locked in a battle of wills, fuelled by honor and their love for the same woman.


Exorcist: The Beginning. Poster of the 2004 movie and cover of the 1971 book, The Exorcist
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The Exorcist
William Peter Blatty, 1971
movie vs book
Renny Harlin, 2004

Many years prior to Father Lankester Merrin’s involvement in saving Regan MacNeil’s soul, he faces the demon Pazuzu in East Africa. This narrative recounts Father Merrin’s initial confrontation with Pazuzu and his journey of rediscovering his faith.


Exorcist: The Beginning. Poster of the 2004 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Exorcist: The Beginning
Steven Piziks, 2003
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Renny Harlin, 2004

Many years prior to Father Lankester Merrin’s involvement in saving Regan MacNeil’s soul, he faces the demon Pazuzu in East Africa. This narrative recounts Father Merrin’s initial confrontation with Pazuzu and his journey of rediscovering his faith.


Grendel. Poster of the 2007 movie and cover of the 900 book, Beowulf
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Beowulf
Unknown, 900
movie vs book
Nick Lyon, 2007

King Higlack of the Gauths assigns Prince Finn and entrusts a powerful fireball weapon to his champion, the renowned slayer Beowulf. Together with a group of twelve men, they embark on a mission to aid King Hrothgar of the Danes, whose kingdom is under siege by the relentless monster Grendel. However, their quest is further complicated by the dark secrets hidden within Hrothgar’s once magnificent realm.