Miguel Delibes.
The film sector is one of those that pays a lot of attention to the literary sector to adapt novels and books that are successful or believe they can be successful. This is how we have great books by Miguel Delibes that were made into movies.
But which ones can be considered the best? Taking into account that sometimes readers do not like book adaptations to movies, we have to say that there are nine of those adaptations by Miguel Delibes that are worth it. Shall we review them?
Of great books, great movies
As we have told you before, Finding an adaptation of a book that faithfully follows the story, that doesn't invent anything, and that is as successful as the book is not easy. Fortunately, with Miguel Delibes' books things change and you can find great films.
Not only about him, there are many other adaptations that have been acclaimed and readers have applauded the work that has been done to try to condense the book into one, two or three hours of film.
Movies like The Godfather, Psycho, Carrie, Schindler's List, The Holy Innocents, Doctor Zhivago... are some film adaptations that were very successful and that, based on books, they knew how to take the most important part of it and not detach themselves from it.
For their part, others that were also successful were not liked as much by readers. For example, Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings.
Movies based on books by Miguel Delibes
Focusing on the books of Miguel Delibes, This author has been one of those who has received the most adaptations of his books, and the movies have been quite successful for not going too far from the books.
We tell you below nine of those films.
The holy innocents
The book of The Holy Innocents was published in 1981, while the movie was released in 1984. Of all the books by Miguel Delibes, this is one of the best known. And, therefore, this film is also one of the best-known adaptations of him.
In addition, it was awarded. Received the Award for Best Performance (for Francisco Rabal and Alfredo Landa), the Fotogramas de Plata award (for Francisco Rabal); the ACE award in New York (for Alfredo Landa) and a mention at the Cannes Festival.
The story centers us in the Franco era where a family of peasants lives under the power of a landowner. However, although the family has already given up on their dreams of being free and being able to do whatever they want, they try to ensure that their children are able to abandon that life.
The road
The path was first adaptation of the books by Miguel Delibes. And furthermore, it was directed, in 1963, by a woman, Ana Mariscal.
The story focuses on Daniel, a boy who has to leave his town and study in the city. Throughout the book and the movie, Daniel recalls the memories he has of his town, the people who have taken care of him, etc.
The dethroned prince
Four years was the time that passed between the publication of Delibes' book and the film adaptation by Antonio Mercero.
The novel, which was based on a family that had a small four-year-old son, was dealing with that child's change from being an only child to having to take a "background" for the birth of his sister. Jealousy, envy, fear of losing parental affection... are themes that are discussed in the book, and the adventures and misadventures of this little boy trying to regain his role as prince of the house.
The rats
Another of the films that It took a long time for the book to be published. (specifically, thirty-six years), was this. It is the last film directed by Antonio Giménez-Rico and will set us in the 50s.
In a town in Castile, a boy, Nini, lives with his parents in a cave house where they eat water rats. He has not studied, he has simply learned from life. The problem is when they try to get him out of that life.
The disputed vote of Senor Cayo
This film adaptation did take a few years longer than the publication of the book. It was directed by Antonio Giménez-Rico, like other films such as My idolized son Sisí and The rats.
The plot was based on Rafael, a young socialist deputy who attends the funeral of one of his friends. There he meets an old friend and they both remember the memories that united them, together with their friend, in 1977, where they met Mr. Cayo, a man with great popular wisdom.
My idolized son Sisi
Delibes, and the director of this adaptation, places us in 1936. In Castilla.
Civil war is imminent and at that time the bourgeois Cecilio Rubes tries to remain neutral. Throughout the book and the movie, We are learning more about this man's life through his wife and his lover., and how life engulfs the protagonist.
The shade of the cypress is elongated
The shade of the cypress is elongated was one of the works by Miguel Delibes who won the Nadal Prize. Directed by Luis Alcoriza, this film is proud to have been nominated for the Goya for Best Adapted Screenplay and to have won the award for Best Editing (Circle of Film Writers).
If you haven't read the novel, the story is simple. We are in Ávila. There, Pedro is a nine-year-old boy who goes to live with his teacher, Don Mateo, while he educates him. Alfredo and his sister, Don Mateo's children and his wife will live next to him.
Diary of a retiree
Among Miguel Delibes' books, there were a few that were adapted the same year his novels came out. As is the case with this one. Now, although The book is called Diary of a Retiree, the movie was released as "A Perfect Couple."
The plot? A man of about 40 years old who is unemployed and an old homosexual and poet. Both establish a friendly and professional relationship. But when problems begin to arrive, the relationship will have to face these alterations.
Lands of Valladolid
Tierras de Valladolid is actually a script based on the work of Miguel Delibes. It was published in 1966 by César Ardavín and presented by Concha Velasco.
In reality, what they did was give a vision of what Delibes' Valladolid was like.
Of all the film adaptations of Miguel Delibes' books, have you seen them all? Which one did you like the most?