Movies Based on Books
I've been binging lately. No, not on chocolate (although I've been known to do that before) but on movies, specifically movies based on books. A couple weeks ago I watched Saving Sarah Cain, which is based on a book by Beverly Lewis called The Redemption of Sarah Cain. I haven't read the book, and I have to be honest--I hope its better than the movie. Although I did enjoy the movie a bit and I thought the Amish characterizations were basically well done, I didn't care for it as much as I thought I would. Which is typically the story when it comes to movies made from books: the movie is almost always unsatisfying. I can think of one exception. The Last Sin Eater, by Francine Rivers, was made into a movie by Michael Landon Jr., who also did Saving Sarah Cain. The Last Sin Eater was the first Christian novel I'd read, and I loved it. Reading that book not only piqued by interest in inspirational fiction, but it also helped inspire me to become a witer. I thought this movie was well done, and stayed pretty true to the book. If you get a chance to see it, please do. I think you'll enjoy it.
Right now I'm working my way through the Love Comes Softly series of movies. Again, I haven't read Janette Oke's books, but I love a good prairie romance. Michael Landon Jr. is also involved in these (I'm starting to notice a pattern here) and so far they're pretty good. However, if you check out reviews on amazon, you'll see a lot of people commenting how the movies stray almost completely away from the original material, especially the ones near the end of the series.
All that said, I hope production companies and networks like the Hallmark Channel continue to make family-friendly movies with a Christian message. Producing these movies is good for both the television/movie and the publishing industry--viewers who see the movie might pick up the book, and those who read the book will more than likely watch the movie. I believe there are a couple more Amish movies coming out based on Lewis' novels. I've also heard rumors about a possible movie based on Redeeming Love--my favorite novel of all time--and if that happens I'll be in television heaven.
What do you think about the movie versions of novels? Is there a novel you would love to see made into a movie?
'Til next time,
Kathleen
Posted by Kathleen Fuller at 4/22/2009 7:02 AM 
Categories: Amish books, movies, Books
Tags: Beverly Lewis Francine Rivers Movies Amish books
Categories: Amish books, movies, Books
Tags: Beverly Lewis Francine Rivers Movies Amish books
I would love to see both of Beth Wiseman's books made into movies. They are exceptionally well done and kept my interest easily, In fact, I couldn't put them down until I was done.(My husband was not impressed at meal time!!)
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I have seen the series"Love comes softly" Loved it. Mike Landon is turning out just like his Dad with the shows that he has made. I think they are great, I also agree with you "Hallmark" should run more shows like that. Good family TV.
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Hi Patti,
Which one is your favorite? I like Love's Long Journey the most so far. You're right, he is turning into his dad!
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I liked any thing that the "Landon "family did or does. I loved to watch "Highway to Heaven" which I don't know why it went off the air
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Most of the time I find the movie lacking of the books. I enjoyed the B Lewis book much more than the movie. The Love comes moives - I have never read the books but enjoy the movies.
If anyone has any great suggestions would love to hear about them.
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I have read the book Redemption of Sarah Cain and also saw the movie, they are nothing alike, the book is so much better and i would recommend it to all.
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I was impressed with the Loves Come Softly series of movies, but if you haven't read the books you are missing great stories. I think A Gift of Grace would make a great movie if they focused on the Amish aspect not the English part of the story.
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All of Janette Oke's books are 100% better than the movies! I read each as it came out, and enjoyed them all.
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I agree with you that the movie - Redemption of Sarah Cain - was not done well. I have read the book and was disappointed with the movie. It was nothing like the book. I hope that when they make future movies like this that they will make it more like the book. I love reading Christian fiction and see no reason for the movie makers to tamper with what you writers do so well.
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The only thing I like about the Janette Oke movies is that they are clean-cut. They veer almost 100% away from the books, which doesn't please me at all. Saving Sarah Cain wasn't too bad. I am an avid reader of Beverly Lewis' Amish novels, except I didn't care for The Redemption of Sarah Cain or Sanctuary very much at all. I would like to see many Amish books made into movies, but not by Michael Landon, Jr. By somebody that would put more life into them.
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I read the book also, loved it, couldn't put it down. Didn't see the movie.
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Hi, I have the book and have read it... The Redemption Of Sarah Cain. I have never seen the movie, I would like to though. I liked the book, but, then I like all of the Amish Books. I also have a good collection started...
Rosiej1942
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My Mom and i have read all the books in the Love Comes Softly series and we just love them. When they were made into movies, i bought them on DVD for my Mom, as she hadn't seen them on Hallmark as i had. She let me know real quick that they were nothing like the books and wasn't to happy with them. We read them so long ago and was surprised she remembered how the stories went. We have read Redemption of Sarah Cain but have not seen the movie as of yet.
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Oh I saw those movies, the books are way better especially The Love Series. The movies can't even compare! And I agree with you, good wholesome movies which are clean even for children need to be made more of.
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Kathleen, you wrote a nice piece about movies based on books. I, too, saw Saving Sarah Cain, and enjoyed it, but haven't read the book. From other comments you have received, it may be even better than the movie, so I need to check that out. One of our sons has been buying me the Janette Oake DVD series as they come out, and I really like them and find them inspiring, though again, I have't read the books. My two daughters and one granddaugher also enjoy them. One DVD series (used to be on TV)that I found to be excellent was Christy. I had always heard of the book, but never had read it. Well, the DVD series ended without answering who Christy would marry (two interested suitors), so I had to check the book out of the library and read it! I think I appreciated the book more because I had a mental picture of the delightful character from having seen the DVD's. There were a few variances, but both were good. I agree that both of Beth's books would make great movies. I just received Amy's two days ago, and I'm looking forward to a quiet evening to sit down and savor it!
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I prefer that movies stay true to the novel rather than making modification.
The beauty of reading a novel is that my minds eye creates images as I am reading which can be disturbing when watching a movie and receiving the directors vision of the novel.
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I am eagerly waiting for the Narnia book The Magician's Nephew to be made into a movie. I had vivid imaginings of the creation scenes and want to see how they might play out in a movie. Generally, books are usually better then their movies, though.
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I have also watched a few of the love comes softly series and the first couple are pretty good, but I didn't like how they kept killing off the husbands to make new romance for the next movie! Did any one else notice that trend? The first one followed the book fairly well.
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I wish many of Beverly Lewis' books came out on DVD. Especially the Courtship of Nellie Fisher series! I love it!
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