As a lover of literature, I’m not always crazy about seeing books adapted for the big screen. But every now and then, I’m pleasantly surprised and actually enjoy the film version of some of my favorite novles
With the Oscars coming up, we wanted to look back at some of the amazing works of literature by Black writers that have inspired some Oscar-winning (and Oscar-worthy) films. We even threw in a few that didn’t necessarily get the critical acclaim, but are still beloved by the culture.
Malcolm X was a 1992 biopic based on the classic memoir, “The Autobiography of Malcolm X.” Spike Lee directed the film about the life of the legendary civil rights leader. And the film earned star Denzel Washington an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Directed by Raoul Peck, I Am Not Your Negro is a powerful documentary based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript “Remember This House.” In the film, Samuel L. Jackson, reads Baldwin’s words as he reflects on the issue of race in the wake of the assassinations of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King.
“Hidden Figures” is the extraordinary true story of a group of pioneering Black female mathematicians at NASA whose work during the 1960s helped send astronauts to space. These “human computers” were the definition of Black girl magic, playing a critical role in the space race, despite the racism and sexism they faced on a regular basis. The 2016 film, which is loosely based on the book, had an amazing all-star cast, including Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe, and earned Academy Award nominations for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Octavia Spencer.
In “12 Years A Slave,” Solomon Northup writes about being born a free Black man in upstate New York with a house and family. But he is forced to leave that all behind when he is drugged, kidnapped and sold into slavery. The book is his recollection of the 12 years he spent trying to stay alive. In 2013, the book was adapted into a feature film, which won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Luptia Nyong’o.
In “Push,” Sapphire introduces readers to Precious Jones, an illiterate teenager who is raped by her father and abused by her mother. HIV-positive and a teenage mother of two children, Precious struggles to get her life on track with the help of a teacher who wants to see her succeed. Lee Daniels directed the film adaptation, “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire,” starring Mo’Nique and then-newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, who earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2010.
“The Pursuit of Happyness” is Chris Gardner’s inspiring rags-to-riches story of being a homeless father struggling to provide a better life for his son. Will Smith, who starred in the film adaptation alongside his son Jaden, earned a Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Chris Gardner.
Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple” tells the story of Celie, a Black woman living in the South who endures incredible abuse at the hands of her father and husband, but dreams of being reunited with her sister Nettie. The film version was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Whoopi Goldberg and Best Supporting Actress for both Margaret Avery and Oprah Winfrey.
“Roots” is Alex Haley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning account of his family history. It centers around the story of Kunta Kinte, Haley’s earliest known descendent who is sold into slavery, brought from Africa to the United States.
The mini-series adaptation was must-see TV in 1977, with more than 130 million Americans tuning in to ABC to watch the eight-night event starring Levar Burton, John Amos and Louis Gossett Jr.
“Their Eyes Were Watching God” is one of Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston’s best-known works and a touching love story. It tells the story of Janie Crawford, a beautiful woman who endures three unsuccessful marriages until she meets Tea Cake, a younger man who allows her to experience true love on her own terms.
As a fan of the book, the film version, starring Halle Berry and Michael Ealy fell a little flat. But I definitely appreciate Oprah Winfrey for sharing this important story with a wider audience.
James Baldwin’s classic novel, “If Beale Street Could Talk,” is a love story for the ages. It tells the story of Tish, a young woman in love with Fonny, who is also the father of her child. The two are planning to get married, but everything changes when Fonny is falsely accused of a crime. And instead of planning a wedding, their families are desperately trying to clear his name. The film version won Regina King a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2019.
Originally published in 1987, Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “Beloved” centers around Sethe, an escaped slave who is haunted by her past. Oprah Winfrey plays Sethe in the 1998 film adaptation alongside Thandiwe Newton and Danny Glover.
“Waiting to Exhale” is a story of four friends who lean on each other when they realize they can’t depend on the men in their life. The 1995 film adaptation, starring Angela Bassett, Whitney Houston and Loretta Devine, didn’t win any Oscars, but it is definitely a classic – and the soundtrack, featuring tracks from Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle and Mary J. Blige, still gives me all the feels.
Ntozake Shange’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf” is a collection of musical poems that tell the stories of seven women of color and their experiences with love, loss and survival.
Although he 2010 film adaptation, written and directed by Tyler Perry, wasn’t quite as powerful, it featured an all-star cast, including Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington and Janet Jackson.
Walter Mosley’s “Devil in a Blue Dress” introduced readers to Easy Rawlins, a recently fired Black war veteran who joins in the search for a missing white woman to make some extra money. Little does he know, the job will change his life forever. The 1995 film adaptation starred Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle and Jennifer Beals.
Billie Holiday’s memoir, “Lady Sings the Blues” recalls her journey to becoming one of the greatest jazz/blues singers of her time. Although the book has been criticized for having some inaccuracies, it inspired the 1972 film by the same name starring Diana Ross as Billie Holliday and Billy Dee Williams. Although it didn’t win any Academy Awards, Diana Ross won the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year - Actress for her legendary performance.
The 1993 film What’s Love Got to Do With It? is the story of Tina Turner’s rise to stardom from her Tennessee church choir, including the pain she endured at the hands of her abusive husband/manager, Ike Turner. The screenplay was inspired by the 1986 book, “I, Tina.”
If you didn’t read the book, I don’t blame you. This is one case in which the film version, starring Angela Bassett as Ms. Tina is totally worth it. Although Bassett didn’t win an Oscar for the role, she did win a Golden Globe and my total respect for the way she completely embodied the iconic singer on the big screen.
This story has been updated as of 3/11/23.