You are of course aware of my obsession with books being turned into films. Not too long ago I insisted the book is ALWAYS better. See my September post if you’ve forgotten. Whenever I hear an adaptation of a favourite or classic novel is being produced for the small or large screen I inevitably cringe. Can you blame me? Let’s review a summary of the evidence yet again: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – a total disaster Dracula – Wynona Ryder War of The Worlds – Tom Cruise posturing Emma – Gwynnyth Paltrow’s attempt at an English accent Chocolat – great eye candy and nothing more Northern Lights – even the title was too complicated for Hollywood and had to be changed to The Golden Compass The list could go on and on but I’ll stop there because thankfully in 2016 a seed change occurred, particularly in #gogglebox adaptations. It all started with the Beeb’s excellent production of Le Carrè’s The Night Manager . The cast choice was superb and the pace exactly wh