Movies Based on Novels Trivia Quiz

Answer: Idgie and Ruth

This is based on the novel 'Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café' by Fanny Flagg. Cathy Bates plays a dissatisfied middle aged housewife who meets an elderly lady who tells her the story of the two girls at the café, and helps her to live her own life. Idgie is a tomboy and Ruth is an ultra feminine girl. Idgie is a support for Ruth who has an abusive husband.

They grow closer and closer, and eventually Ruth leaves her husband and moves in with Idgie. A gay relationship is hinted at but it is not overt.

Answer: Arsenal

This is based on Nick Hornby's best selling book of the same name. It is a very funny film about a fanatical soccer supporter and his on/off girlfriend who is definitely NOT a fan. The character Paul, played by Colin Firth is a teacher and his students know that he is an Arsenal supporter, and there is a lot of banter about that in the classroom.

In the last scene Arsenal have won the cup final and there are a mass of fans celebrating outside their ground.

Answer: Margaret

This is a dramatization of the wonderful novel by Jane Austen. The two older sisters, Elinor and Marianne, were played by Emma Thompson and Kate Winslett. Emma Thompson also wrote the screenplay. Margaret is a typical girl of about 12 or 13, and often says the wrong thing at the wrong time. Urged on by her mother and sister she climbs up into a tree house to report on developments while her sister Elinor's suitor is proposing.

Answer: Afghanistan

This movie is based on the novel by Khaled Hosseini and is a wonderful story about two boys who grow up together in Afghanistan, and what happens to them.
Khaled Hosseini also wrote a great book called 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' about the lives of women in Afghanistan.

Answer: Fagin

'Oliver' is based on Charles Dickens' novel 'Oliver Twist'. In the film, which is a musical, the character Fagin sings the songs 'You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two' and 'I Think I'd Better Think it Out Again'.

Answer: 84 Charing Cross Road

Helene Hanff wrote this book about her ongoing correspondence with the London Bookshop Marks and Co., and most especially with Frank Doel, the manager. There is a charming contrast between her feisty American and his reserved British style.

Answer: Oprah Winfrey

This Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker, about the injustices suffered by the black population of Georgia in the 1930s, was the basis for Stephen Spielberg's moving film.

Answer: Carey Mulligan

'Far from the Madding Crowd' was previously made into a movie starring Julie Christie. I am sure that many of you love that version, but I prefer this one. Carey Mulligan who plays Bathsheba gives a wonderful portrayal of a young girl who is suddenly put in a position of authority when she inherits a farm.

She is of a very independent nature and does her best to cope alone but occasionally her inexperience shows. I also very much enjoyed the photography of the beautiful Dorset countryside where it was shot.

The novel was written by Thomas Hardy in 1874.

Answer: Starkadder

This movie was inspired by Stella Gibbons novel 'Cold Comfort Farm' published in 1932. Flora Poste a city girl loses her mother and father and goes to live with her cousins at the farm. They have all sorts of problems but Flora, being a sensible type of girl, sorts them all out.

Answer: Colin Firth

The 'Bridget Jones' movies are based on the series of novels written by Helen Fielding. Colin Firth previously played the 'Pride and Prejudice' role of Mr. Darcy in the BBC film serial and set feminine hearts a flutter when he emerged from swimming with a wet shirt on. Here he plays a rather less dashing Mr. Darcy.