H.S. literature made into a movie

I am looking for some movies (DVD) made from acceptable high school literature books. The movies need to be as close to the book as possible. This will be for a boy so no Jane Eyre, please. I know, a boy can certainly enjoy and get something good from Jane Eyre, but not mine.

My goal is to have my son write opinion papers. He will also read books but watching movies would be a very nice change and take a whole lot less time than reading.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

Moby Dick comes immediately to mind.


What about Shakespeare? I know Romeo and Juliet, but I'm pretty sure there are others as well.

 

Have you checked out the Movies as Literature curriculum. Some of the Movies involved do have books or short stories that go with it. Some of the films include the Quiet Man (based on a short story), Shane, To Kill a Mockingbird among others. It migh work well to also introduce him to different genres. Sd really enjoyed it. She never would have watched Arsinic and Old Lace on her own but now she loves it.

 

The Outsiders? Though I think I did that one in Middle School, not High School.

I know that Romeo and Juliet is often viewed as a kind of "girly" Shakespeare, but what about the movie with Clare Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio? It has a more modern feel, but all the dialogue is the same. Hamlet is another good one, I remember watching the movie in my high school English Lit.

Oliver Twist and David Copperfield.

 

Last of the Mohicans
Ivanhoe
Les Miserables

 

Horatio Hornblower
Hamlet (get the one with Kenneth Branagh)

 

If you want to do Romeo and Juliet, be sure to also get West Side Story to compare the two!

You could also watch Kiss Me, Kate!

 

Great Expectations
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby - A & E – DVD

 

Of Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby, The Old Man and the Sea....

 

What?
Where the Red Fern Grows!

I bite my thumb at all of you for not suggesting it sooner.

 

Scottie, to me that is more middle school, but it is sure an excellent book! Though I really didn't care for the movie at all.

Lord of the Rings!!!

 

Thanks ladies. You all have great suggestions. I really appreciate it. Thanks again.

 

Jackie, you know me and LOTR...only reason I didn't suggest it was because of the middle school level I associate it with....or with which it is associated. That grammar thread has really got me. :roll:

 

I just read today that the Masterpiece Theatre version of The Diary of Anne Frank is particularly authentic. The BBC worked directly with the Anne Frank estate to be sure it was accurate. The reconstruction of the house as well as the strong cast further strengthen the piece.

Saw this thread and had just stumbled upon this version of the diary today, so thought I'd share.

 

I did enjoy PBS's Anne Frank, though I've never read the book. I also enjoyed watching their Kidnapped.

 

I read that book in 7th grade. I'm not sure if that was because she was our age at the time or if the writing is at a middle school level? Is the OP looking for strictly high school level literature?

I think most accurate portrayals I've seen have been from PBS movies.

 

You're right -- It's usually at the 7th or 8th grade level. I had already forgotten the OP specifically asked for HS by the time I got to the end to post! :lol:

I love the BBC/PBS movies. I've got the Downtown Abbey series in my Amazon cart; it's a great price and I really want to hit "buy"!!

 

Ugh apparently I missed the high school level. I don't know what I was thinking...I'm just going to say it was late, without checking my post time lol.
/facepalm

 

I don't know what level Captains Courageous is, as a book, but I really liked the movie with Spencer Tracy.

And surely, somewhere there is a highschool class reading list that has some otherwise 8th grade books on it!