Best Movies Adapted From Musicals
How do franchises like Harry Potter and Hunger Games gain worldwide popularity and recognition (for their authors) these days? Through adaptation, of course. The same goes for playrights and their plays. How well were musicals adapted into films?
For those who don't know, Sunshine on Leith is based on a Dundee Reps (the Scottish equivalent to Broadway or the West End) stage production of the same name.
Like Mamma Mia!, Sunshine on Leith is a jukebox musical in which the songs being used were pre-existing. Mamma Mia! is, of course, based around ABBA songs, while Sunshine on Leith is based around the songs of The Proclaimers.
There's a fleeting gag about Trainspotting in this musical. Unlike most grimy Scotland-set movies, the upbeat Sunshine on Leith has the luxury of getting away with Trainspotting jokes.
All that romantic Greek island paradise... I dream of going to a Greek island one day. I also dream of what it would be like to be Sophie and live on one with your mother.
See the beach every day, ride your own boat. Without a doubt, one of the best all-time musicals.
I love this movie and play so much. The music is all beautiful, and I love the era it is set in with the amazing bell-bottom jeans!
It has some complicated ideas, but it is beautiful and so much fun.
Worst pies in London? That's debatable these days considering a certain horse meat scandal.
But surely the most annoying nun in Salzburg has nothing on this deranged barber from London. Sacha Baron Cohen is the real scene-stealer.
Sacha Baron Cohen does fake Italian pretty well. And who would have thought that Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter can belt out a few tunes?
Defining lyrics: How gratifying for one to know that those above will serve those down below.
Honestly, who doesn't love Grease? The times when you'd go to a soda fountain with friends, own Eldorados and Mustangs, wear poodle skirts or leather jackets, and watch movies at drive-in theatres with your date.
Grease lets you imagine yourself at that time and enjoy it, all while keeping you on your dancing shoes.
Kenickie was so hot! Kenickie is hotter than Danny for sure!
Better than most modern movie musicals. I adored Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Samantha Barks as Eponine, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Hugh Jackman as Valjean, Aaron Tveit as Enjolras, Helena Carter as Madame T, both of the major kids, and Amanda Seyfried as Cosette.
The only mistakes were Russell Crowe as Javert and Sacha Baron Cohen as Thenardier. Personally, I think David Tennant would have been better if they wanted big names, but overall, amazing!
Definitely my favorite on this list. I love this because the content of the film doesn't differ at all from the stage.
An excellent cast, top director, and a wonderful, uplifting score.
I'd argue that Chicago has a more interesting setting than Grease.
The times when gangsters would hide out in speakeasies, jazz would be played 24/7, mobsters would do drive-bys with 50-round Tommy Guns, people would wear zoot suits or fishnets and suspenders, and crime and corruption were all part of the show.
Chicago lets you imagine yourself at that time.
Never before has Prohibition-Era Chicago looked so glamorous. To quote Richard Gere, "Though you are stiffer than a girder, they'll let you get away with murder."
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers was (and still is) wonderful. It has some great songs and some incredible, very athletic dancing.
Later, it was adapted into a stage play, reversing the usual progression from stage to screen. Plenty of romance and plenty of comedy.
The Newcomers
Amazing film. Did it for my school musical and absolutely loved it.
Based more on the West End production of Lionel Bart than on Dickens.
Nothing like a bit of Oom-Pah-Pah to get you drinking in a tavern.
Tom Cruise's singing is so good he could take up a rock career if he wanted.
