While cinema and moviemaking continue to be a dominant force in the realm of storytelling, it is far from the only way to tell a compelling original or non-fictional story, as novels and literature have compelled readers for centuries before movies were invented. However, there is often a combination and collaboration between the mediums, with many of the most acclaimed and popular books of all time being adapted and evolved into a visual medium through filmmaking techniques.
No genre shows off this prominence and capabilities like stories of crime and deception, being able to further amplify the themes and energy of these stories, at some points even revolutionizing them as the premiere version of the story. Several of these crime adaptations have become massively acclaimed in their own right, not only becoming legendary in the realm of crime films but also some of the most widely celebrated and greatest films of all time.
10
‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ (2011)
Acting as not only an exceptional adaptation of an acclaimed crime novel but also a U.S. remake of an acclaimed Swedish film, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo‘s exceptional crime story is further elevated by the direction of David Fincher. The film follows disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) investigating the disappearance of a weary patriarch’s niece who has been missing for 40 years. He is aided in his search by a punk, tattooed computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), as they uncover immense corruption beyond anything they could have imagined.
While American remakes of international films released so soon after the original film usually diminish the impact and legacy of the original film, Fincher’s masterful directing style further amplifies the story’s tension and mystery. Applying the same sense of stakes and fear utilized in films like Zodiac and Fight Club, Fincher’s take on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo quickly became the defining rendition of the story and one of the best crime movies of the last 25 years.
9
‘L.A. Confidential’ (1997)
A classic noir period piece that harkens back to classic crime stories and the energy of the 50s, L.A. Confidential combines classic and modern filmmaking styles into a beautiful blending of worlds and styles. The film follows three detectives finding themselves in the center of a massive web of lies, corruption, and deception amidst the L.A. police force of the 1950s. The detectives end up using an array of different methods to uncover this endlessly spiraling conspiracy that started with a group of shotgun murders at an all-night diner.
L.A. Confidential acts as one of the purest and most pristine renditions of what a classic police procedural thriller should be, weaving together mystery and heightened tension to create an engaging ride from start to finish. The film acts as one of the defining crime movies of the 90s, seamlessly working as a standalone story despite being adapted from the third film in a full series of crime novels.
8
‘The Irishman’ (2019)
Image via Netflix
Martin Scorsese has created a multitude of legendary crime movie adaptations over the years, including the likes of Goodfellas, Casino, and The Wolf of Wall Street, yet The Irishman sets itself apart from every other film in his career. The film plays off the conventions and trends that Scorsese has used for gangster films throughout his entire career to create a somber and powerful portrait of time, age, and legacy. The real-life story of the original book finds itself translating perfectly as an encapsulation of Scorsese's filmography, while the adaptation still ends up staying true to the original book.
The film follows the long-lasting life and career of Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), a truck driver who finds himself becoming an effective hitman for mobster Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci). Sheeran’s influence finds itself growing more and more amidst the mobster world, eventually landing him a gig working for the powerful Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). However, time finds a way to erode all relationships and friendships, especially in the world of crime and mobsters, with Frank soon being forced to make a painful decision.
7
‘A Clockwork Orange’ (1971)
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
One of many critically acclaimed masterpieces from legendary director Stanley Kubrick, A Clockwork Orange manages to bring to life all of the idiosyncratic attributes and quirks of the original novel to life, flourishing on the big screen. The film follows Alexander DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell), the leader of a notorious gang in a dystopian near-future Britain who spends their nights tormenting and raping anyone they come across. After an especially vicious crime spree, DeLarge ends up being captured and becomes the subject of a highly experimental attempt at forced rehabilitation through psychological conditioning.
Kubrick doesn’t shy away from tackling any of the harsh and disturbing content of the original novel; in fact, he even makes slight changes to be even darker and more negative during its final chapter. All the symbolic elements and resonating factors that made the original crime novel such a striking and polarizing work of fiction are maintained in this film. These elements wind up being further amplified by the top-notch performance from McDowell and Kubrick’s enthralling directing style.
6
‘Jackie Brown’ (1997)
One of the more underappreciated films from earlier in the acclaimed career of director Quentin Tarantino, Jackie Brown finds a way to be one of the best of Tarantino’s many crime movies. The film follows the titular Jackie Brown (Pam Grier), a flight attendant who is caught smuggling cash into the country for her gunrunner boss, now forced to be used as a tool by the cops to get to her boss. However, Jackie hatches a plan with the help of a bail bondsman to subvert both the police and her boss so that she can keep all the money for herself.
Much like Tarantino’s other works, the overwhelming amount of style, quotable lines, and characters you instantly root for make Jackie Brown a highly fulfilling and electrifying crime film experience. While the film may be more reserved when it comes to the signature violence and bloodshed that Tarantino is famous for, said reserved nature does not apply to any of the other attributes of Tarantino’s exceptional filmmaking.
Is Your Perfect Movie?Parasite · Everything Everywhere · Oppenheimer · Birdman · No CountryFive Oscar Best Picture winners. Five completely different visions.
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.01.What kind.of film experience do you actually want?The best movies don’t just entertain — they leave something behind. . .08.What kind.of main character do you root for?The protagonist is.the lens. Your answers point.to one Oscar Best Picture winner above all others.
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