The Best Movie Adaptations of GCSE English Texts

A Christmas Carol (2009) – Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Charles Dickens’ novella A Christmas Carol is a classic that has been adapted over 100 times for stage, radio, TV screen, and movie screen. The 2009 adaptation was directed by Robert Zemeckis and starred Jim Carrey as the voice of Scrooge. An animated version, it is faithful to the original plot and dialogue found in the book. What makes this version useful for GCSE students is its use of visual effects to bring to life the novel’s supernatural elements - particularly the three ghosts. The animation brings out the dramatic tension, making it easier to understand Scrooge’s emotional journey.  

What to watch for: Notice how the film emphasises key themes, like social inequality and change, through its detailed visual representations of London’s wealth divide. Watching this after reading the novella can help you understand the stark contrast between Scrooge’s cold, wealthy home and Bob Cratchit's humble but loving household.

(Other adaptations to recommend include Mickey's Christmas Carol, The Muppets Christmas Carol, 1999’s adaptation of the book starring Patrick Stewart as Scrooge, and finally A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong)

Macbeth (2015) – Directed by Justin Kurzel

Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a dark, brooding tale of ambition, murder, and madness. The 2015 film adaptation, directed by Justin Kurzel and starring Michael Fassbender as Macbeth, with Marion Cotillard as his wife, offers a gritty and atmospheric take on the play, taking directly into the violent world of medieval Scotland, making it easier to understand the intense emotions driving the characters. 

What to watch for: The film’s emphasis on violence and its eerie, slow-motion battle scenes highlight Macbeth’s descent into tyranny. Kurzel’s adaptation makes the themes of power and guilt more accessible through its focus on visual storytelling. Notice how Lady Macbeth’s guilt is portrayed through her interactions with the environment, as her power begins to crumble along with her sanity.

(Other recommendations include the RSC’s 2010 adaptation including Patrick Stewart as Macbeth, and Joel Cohen’s 2021 movie The Tragedy of Macbeth, with Denzel Washington in the lead role)

Romeo + Juliet (1996) – Directed by Baz Luhrmann

Quite possibly the most famous and recognisable movie adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragic romance. Romeo & Juliet may be set in Verona, Italy, but Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 adaptation Romeo + Juliet flings the story into a modern urban setting. By keeping the original dialogue but changing the backdrop to a fictional version of 1990s Los Angeles, this adaptation makes the language more accessible to modern audiences.

What to watch for: Luhrmann’s film emphasises the youthful impulsiveness of Romeo and Juliet through quick-paced editing, bright colours, and modern settings, like gunfights instead of sword battles. For GCSE students, this helps bring Shakespeare's language into a context that is easier to understand and relate to. Pay attention to how the film deals with themes like love and fate by juxtaposing the old-fashioned language with modern-day conflicts.

(Other recommendations include Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 adaptation and the 2013 adaptation with Hailee Steinfield and Douglas Booth as our star-crossed lovers. Romeo and Juliet also serves as the source material for Grease (1978), The Lion King 2 (1998), High School Musical (2006), and Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)) 

An Inspector Calls (2015) – Directed by Aisling Walsh

J B Priestley’s An Inspector Calls is a morality play that centres on the themes of social responsibility, class division, and the consequences of our actions. The 2015 BBC adaptation, directed by Aisling Walsh, is set in 1912 and stays pretty close to the original, adding in some ‘flashback scenes’. It is an excellent resource for GCSE students.

What to watch for: An Inspector Calls is first and foremost a play, intended to be watched. Watching an adaptation is useful to know how the characters interact with other, exits, entrances, and other dramaturgical elements.

(Other recommendations include a student film production in 2018. It can be found here on YouTube.)

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1931) – Directed by Rouben Mamoulian

Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde explores the duality of human nature and is one of those classics that has been adapted and re-adapted over and over again. Rouben Mamoulian’s 1931 film remains a classic for its portrayal of the duality theme. Though an older film, shows the split between the respectable Dr Jekyll and the monstrous Mr Hyde as eerily creepy. Unlike other adaptations, there is a physical transformation, not just a behavioural one. It's also rather melodramatic, with some odd shots which we don't normally see in 21st century films. 

What to watch for: the film’s black-and-white cinematography emphasises the contrast between good and evil, mirroring the novel’s exploration of duality. Watch how the film uses lighting and shadows to deepen the sense of horror and explore the themes of repression and morality. Look at how Fredric March changes his physical behaviour when he is Hyde, and how repulsed and scared everyone is of him.

How to Use These Adaptations in Your Revision

While watching these films, remember that they are adaptations, not replacement for the texts themselves. Use them as a supplement to your reading. Notice how directors make choices about character portrayals, setting, key themes, but also costumes, music, special effects. Compare these choices to the original text, to what decisions you would make.