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Articles > Movies > Top 10 Movies Based on Poetry

Top 10 Movies Based on Poetry

By Gary R. Hess. Category: Movies,Poetry

Since Greek theater, poetry has been made into on stage performances for thousands to enjoy. Now, with the invention of the camera, poetry has been given the chance to perform in front of millions worldwide, in theaters, and on television. Here is our choice for top 10 favorites:

  1. The Night Before Christmas (Tom and Jerry)
    The Night Before Christmas

    From Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore (also called A Visit from St. Nicholas). Although a short-film, this cartoon is still watched today by children of all ages at least once a year. Tom and Jerry have held up through the test of time. What makes this movie top 10 material is simple: Tom and Jerry.

  2. The Raven
    The Raven

    From The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe. Although a B movie horror-comedy, it consists of actors Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff and even a young Jack Nicholson; making it the best B movie horror ever created. Without Vincent Price or the young Jack Nicholson we might have looked elsewhere, but because of them, this movie is certainly worth mentioning.

  3. The Man from Snowy River
    The Man from Snowy River

    From The Man from Snowy River by Banjo Paterson. The film won awards for Best Original Music Score and Most Popular Film and nominated for Best Achievement in Sound and best foreign film. The film includes the likes of Tom Burlinson, Kirk Douglas, Sigrid Thornton and Jack Thompson.

  4. Mulan
    Mulan

    From Ballad of Mulan a Chinese poem. The film has been praised for its stunning visuals and for portraying a dominant female. Of course, it was also criticized for its songs and portrayal of Asian society. Nevertheless, the film earned over $300 million worldwide and pushed Disney to create two sequels. What makes this movie special? Women with swords.

  5. Othello
    Othello

    From Othello by Shakespeare. Starring Laurence Fishbourne as Othello, it keeps the Shakespearian feel throughout. The dialog consists of words from the original, varying only from actors and director's input. If it wasn't for this movie, high school literature would have been a lot tougher.

  6. What Dreams May Come
    What Dreams May Come

    Although not directly related, several references are made during the film to Dante's The Divine Comedy with the title coming from Hamlet. What Dreams May Come earned an Academy Award for its visual effects and was nominated for Best Art Direction. This movie starts out the top 5 due to the incredible visual arts and Robin Williams performance of a lifetime.

  7. Tale of Tales (Skazka skazok)
    Tales of Tales

    From a Russian lullaby. The film's original title was The Little Grey Wolf Will Come, but was rejected by Soviet censors. The new title came from Tale of Tales by Nazim Hikmet. The animation is seen by many critics as the greatest animation ever. If it wasn't for Soviet interests, this movie could have easily become one of the highest grossing movies ever for animation.

  8. The Grinch
    The Grinch

    From How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss. The movie does justice to one of the best-known children's books of our time. The movie spent four weeks at #1, with Jim Carrey in the title role of the Grinch. Dr. Seuss + Jim Carrey = classic.

  9. Troy
    Troy

    From Iliad by Homer. The movie was nominated for an Oscar which includes an all-star cast of Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Peter O'Toole and Diane Kruger. While the movie gives Achilles human attributes which he is not accustomed to, the director helps see that the legend is possible. What makes this movie worthy of #2? Achilles. Not only is he portrayed as human, but a bad-ass one at that.

  10. O Brother, Where Art Thou
    O Brother Where Art Thou

    From Odyssey by Homer. Although set in modern times, the movie follows many of the famous poems aspects: using Cyclops as the bible salesman and the Sirens who seduce the travelers. Women love this movie because of George Clooney, men love this movie because of the Sirens. Enough said.