Spartacus. Poster of the 1960 movie and cover of the 1951 book
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Spartacus
Howard Fast, 1951
movie vs book
Stanley Kubrick, 1960

In the 1st century BC, the Roman Republic has slid into corruption, its menial work done by armies of slaves. When Spartacus is disarmed, his opponent, an African named Draba, spares his life in a burst of defiance and attacks the Roman audience, but is killed by an arena guard and Crassus.


Great Expectations. Poster of the 1946 movie and cover of the 1861 book
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Great Expectations
Charles Dickens, 1861
movie vs book
David Lean, 1946

Orphan Pip discovers through lawyer Mr. Jaggers that a mysterious benefactor wishes to ensure that he becomes a gentleman. Reunited with his childhood patron, Miss Havisham, and his first love, the beautiful but emotionally cold Estella, he discovers that the elderly spinster has gone mad from having been left at the altar as a young woman, and has made her charge into a warped, unfeeling heartbreaker.


Hamlet. Poster of the 1948 movie and cover of the 1603 book
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Hamlet
William Shakespeare, 1603
movie vs book
Laurence Olivier, 1948

The action begins on the battlements of Elsinore where a sentry, Francisco, is relieved of his watch by another sentry, Bernardo, who, with yet another sentry, Marcellus, has twice previously seen the Ghost of King Hamlet. Marcellus then arrives with the skeptical Horatio, Prince Hamlet’s friend. Suddenly, all three see the Ghost, and Horatio demands that the ghost speak. The ghost vanishes then, without a word.


Great Expectations. Poster of the 1989 TV series and cover of the 1861 book
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Great Expectations
Charles Dickens, 1861
TV series vs book
Kevin Connor, 1989

A young boy called Pip stumbles upon a hunted criminal who threatens him and demands food. A few years later, Pip finds that he has a benefactor. Imagining that Miss Havisham, a rich lady whose adopted daughter Estella he loves, is the benefactor, Pip believes in a grand plan at the end of which he will be married to Estella.


The Dain Curse. Poster of the 1978 TV series and cover of the 1929 book
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The Dain Curse
Dashiell Hammett, 1929
TV series vs book
E.W. Swackhamer, 1978

The tough and seasoned private investigator, Hamilton Nash, is enlisted to probe a case involving stolen diamonds. This inquiry leads him to encounter a charming and peculiar young woman named Gabrielle. She holds the belief that she has fallen victim to the ancient curse afflicting the Dain family, a malevolent affliction that allegedly brings about premature death in those it ensnares.


The Inheritance. Poster of the 1947 movie and cover of the 1864 book, Uncle Silas
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Uncle Silas
J. Sheridan Le Fanu, 1864
movie vs book
Charles Frank, 1947

After her father’s demise, a young British heiress moves in with her financially struggling guardian uncle. Little does she know, he devises a plot to kill her in order to inherit her substantial wealth.