Dangerous Liaisons. Poster of the 1988 movie and cover of the 1782 book
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Dangerous Liaisons
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, 1782
movie vs book
Stephen Frears, 1988

In pre-Revolution Paris, the Marquise de Merteuil plots revenge against her ex-lover, the Comte de Bastide, who recently ended their relationship. Valmont declines, as he is plotting a seduction of his own: Madame de Tourvel, the wife of a member of Parliament away in Burgundy, who is currently a houseguest of Valmont’s aunt, Madame de Rosemonde.


Valmont. Poster of the 1989 movie and cover of the 1782 book, Dangerous Liaisons
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Dangerous Liaisons
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, 1782
movie vs book
Milos Forman, 1989

In 18th century France, the Marquise de Merteuil, a beautiful wealthy widow, learns from her cousin Madame de Volanges that Volanges’ 15-year-old daughter Cécile has been betrothed to a middle-age man named Gercourt, Merteuil’s own secret lover. Angered over the hypocrisy of Gercourt’s insistence on a virgin bride while keeping a lover of his own, his concealment of his upcoming marriage, and his slight of her character, Merteuil plans revenge.


Untold Scandal. Poster of the 2003 movie and cover of the 1782 book, Dangerous Liaisons
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Dangerous Liaisons
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, 1782
movie vs book
Je-yong Lee, 2003

A beautiful but cynical and manipulative noblewoman makes a bet with her free-spirited womanizing cousin that he can have sex with her if he is able to seduce a young woman of great virtue. He accepts the challenge with enthusiasm though not suspecting the nasty trap he is walking into.


Cruel Intentions. Poster of the 1999 movie and cover of the 1782 book, Dangerous Liaisons
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Dangerous Liaisons
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, 1782
movie vs book
Roger Kumble, 1999

In an upscale New York City mansion, wealthy and popular teenager Kathryn Merteuil discusses her prep school with Mrs. Caldwell and her daughter, Cecile. When Kathryn’s stepbrother Sebastian Valmont enters the room, Mrs. Caldwell reacts to him coldly and leaves with Cecile. Kathryn tells Sebastian that she intends to use Cecile to take revenge on her ex-lover Court Reynolds, who dumped her for Cecile.


Les liaisons dangereuses. Poster of the 1959 movie and cover of the 1782 book, Dangerous Liaisons
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Dangerous Liaisons
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, 1782
movie vs book
Roger Vadim, 1959

In present-day France, Valmont and Juliette de Merteuil are a married couple who help each other have extramarital affairs. Juliette’s latest lover, Court, breaks up with her in order to be free to pursue his plan to marry the 16-year-old Cecile. Seeking revenge, Juliette encourages Valmont to seduce the virginal Cecile while she holidays at the ski resort of Megève.


Dangerous Liaisons. Poster of the 2003 TV series and cover of the 1782 book
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Dangerous Liaisons
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, 1782
TV series vs book
Josée Dayan, 2003

Set in the modern 1960s world of Parisian high society, the beautiful Madame de Merteuil seeks vengeance against her ex-lover Gercourt when he becomes engaged to her young goddaughter, Cécile. Merteuil turns to her ex-lover/partner-in-crime, Valmont, famous for his reputation as a Don Juan, to seduce Cécile and emotionally destroy her.


Dangerous Liaisons. Poster of the 2012 movie and cover of the 1782 book
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Dangerous Liaisons
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, 1782
movie vs book
Jin-ho Hur, 2012

Shanghai, September 1931: Wealthy businessman and serial seducer Xie Yifan is introduced to his uncle’s granddaughter, Du Fenyu, when his maternal grandmother, Du Ruixue, arrives at his apartment one day. Fenyu, a young widow who has just arrived from Northeast China where the Japanese are making incursions, is staying at the country home of Madam Du, her grand-aunt.


Dangerous Liaisons. Poster of the 2022 TV series and cover of the 1782 book
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Dangerous Liaisons
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, 1782
TV series vs book
Oliver Blackburn, Leonora Lonsdale, 2022-

A couple of cunning ex-lovers use seduction to try to take advantage of others. The renowned 18th-century novel ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses’ by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos adapted for television.


Cruel Intentions 2. Poster of the 2000 movie and cover of the 1782 book, Dangerous Liaisons
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Dangerous Liaisons
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, 1782
movie vs book
Roger Kumble, 2000

Troublemaker student Sebastian Valmont is transferring to Manchester Prep following his father’s new marriage to a wealthy divorcee. His current principal is insistent on having Sebastian’s permanent record relayed to his new school, thereby hampering his chance for a fresh start, but Sebastian already retaliated by pulling a cruel stunt on his wife.


Dangerous Liaisons. Poster of the 2022 movie and cover of the 1782 book
VS3
Dangerous Liaisons
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, 1782
movie vs book
Oliver Blackburn, Leonora Lonsdale, 2022

The innocent Célène might be falling in love with popular surfer Tristan at her new school. But she has no idea that, in actuality, she’s the object of a cruel bet between Tristan and Instagram influencer Vanessa.