Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre

This week sees the return of a beloved classic to the big screen as we are treated to a new adaptation of Jane Eyre.

To celebrate the release of the movie, in what is one of my favourite novels of all time, we take a look at some of the most adapted female authors.

Bronte's

Charlotte and Emily Bronte have, between them, produced two of the most famous books in literature and two of the greatest love stories - of course I am talking about Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.

Jane Eyre has been adapted once again for the big screen this week as Cary Fukunaga brings his version  for the novel with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender playing Jane and Rochester.

The movie comes five years after the critically acclaimed TV series which starred Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens - which went on to pick up Bafta and Emmy nominations.

This year Emily Bronte's novel Wuthering Heights is brought back to cinema as Andrea Arnold returns to the director's chair.

Wuthering Heights was adapted bas early as 1920 all the way up to 2009 when Tom Hardy took on the role of Heathcliff in a TV series.

Jane Austen

Jane Austen's novels have been adapted for TV and cinema for many years  - and enjoying huge success.

Sense and Sensibility has been adapted a couple of time for TV but was a critical and commercial hit back in 1995 when it reached the big screen.

Adapted by Emma Thompson the movie was directed by Ang Lee and went on to be nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture.

Thompson won for her screenplay, as well as being nominated for Best Actress, Kate WInslet was also nominated for her performance.

Pride and Prejudice has been a hot on TV, a role that Colin Firth will forever be remembered for, and on the big screen.

It was the debut project for Joe Wright back in 2005 as Keira Knightley took on the role of Elizabeth Bennett.

The movie was a triumph and Knightley went on to pick up a Best Actress Oscar nomination.

Emma and Persuasion, Northhanger Abbey and Mansfield Park has all also been adapted over the years.

Agatha Christie

But the most adapted female author is crime writer Agatha Christie who has seen the likes of Peter Ustinov and David Suchet bring her most famous creations to life over the years.

Poirot stories have been being adapted for TV since the early nineties - last seen in a new version of Murder on the Orient Express back in 2010.

Miss Marple remains one of her most loved characters Margaret Rutherford and Angela Lansbury are just two actresses who have played the role.

And we are set get a new version of the popular sleuth as Disney are set to bring Miss Marple to the big screen once again.

Jennifer Garner is rumoured to be taking on the role.

J.K Rowling

J.K Rowling is one of the most celebrated authors as her creation of Harry Potter has brought joy to millions the world over.

Harry Potter was brought to the big screen back in 2001 - making overnight stars of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.

Over the next ten years all the novels were adapted for the big screen and enjoyed huge box office success around the world.

The series has gone on to become the biggest grossing franchise of all time with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 the most successful movies.

That honour had belonged to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone but that was overtaken this summer as Deathly Hallows - Part 2 grossed a mammoth $1.294 billion to become the biggest grossing movie of the year and the third of all time.

Stephenie Meyer

Another female author who has enjoyed huge box office success of later is Stephenie Meyer as Twilight fever has swept the globe.

The characters of Edward Cullen and Kristen Swan were brought to life back in 2008 by Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, role which have propelled them to fame.

New Moon and Eclipse have followed in recent years and Breaking Dawn - Part 1 will be released later this year.

So far the franchise has grossed in excess of $1.5 billion at the global box office - New Moon being the most successful film in the franchise so far.

Jane Eyre is released 9th September

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
find me on and follow me on