GCSE English Literature

Cert

Age group7–16

Duration91 mins

A Christmas Carol(2009)

Animated version of the classic Christmas tale in which a miserly old man is visited by three ghosts at Christmas, with life changing results.

This animated film is a faithful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel, which is one of the set texts to choose from in the 19th century prose component of study for GCSE English Literature. The 3D animation manages to convey both the dark, gritty atmosphere and the festive zeitgeist of the early Victorian period.

Cert

Age group11–16

Duration113 mins

Pride and Prejudice(1940)

Early adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel in which five sisters search for suitable husbands, but how to find one that isn’t arrogant or devious?

Also appearing on the syllabus as part of the 19th century prose component of study, Austen’s much-loved novel of manners, which has inspired many adaptations including this early Hollywood reimagining. Certain scenes have been altered from the original literary piece, offering an excellent opportunity to compare and contrast the form, structure and language.

Cert

Age group11+

Duration107 mins

Bride & Prejudice(2004)

Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice gets a Bollywood-style makeover.

The characters and plot of the same Austen novel, set in 1810s Hertfordshire, England, are transplanted to modern-day India. The book’s key themes, including morality, gender roles and class, are explored through an alternative context, which has the potential to offer both highly relatable and brand new perspectives on cultural and social norms.

Cert

Age group11–16

Duration80 mins

An Inspector Calls(1954)

Alastair Sim is perfect as the all-knowing visitor in this adaptation of JB Priestley's most famous play.

This classic film is the first screen adaptation of 1945 morality play, which is one of the set texts to choose from in the modern drama component of study of the GCSE English Literature syllabus, also referred to as the post-1914 British play or novel unit of study. The lighting and camera angles help to heighten the tension of Priestley’s drama.

Cert

Age group11+

Duration89 mins

Anita and Me(2002)

Coming-of-age comic drama, Meena is a young British Asian girl who idolises her older friend Anita, while struggling with entrenched prejudice.

Released during a period of popularity for films about young British-Asians, Anita and Me explores how a girl's Hindu upbringing clashes against the predominantly white, working-class society that she lives in, leading her to confront her heritage head on. The novel, by Meera Syal, became a best-seller and has been adopted as set-texts at many schools in the country.

Cert

Age group11+

Duration100 mins

Never Let Me Go(2010)

What begins as a love triangle between students at an English boarding school soon evolves into a science fiction tale of what it means to be human.

Kazuo Ishiguro’s dystopian novel is one of the set texts for the study of modern prose on the OCR specification, and will also remain a set text for AQA and WJEC assessments until June 2024. This heartfelt film adaptation brings the romance and sensitivity of the book to life.

Cert

Age group11+

Duration108 mins

Journey's End(2017)

A group of young soldiers, led by an increasingly unstable Officer, await their fate in the trenches of France towards the end of World War One.

R.C. Sherriff’s World War One drama is one of the set texts to choose from in the post-1914 British play or novel component on the Edexcel exam board specification, and for the study drama and poetry on the CCEA specification. This film adaptation homes in on themes of friendship and fear in a way that can strongly resonate with today’s young audiences.

Cert

Age group11+

Duration124 mins

To Kill A Mockingbird(1962)

Harper Lee adaptation about an idealistic white lawyer in 1930s Alabama who takes on the case of a Black man accused of an awful crime.

While it is no longer a set text on the GCSE English Literature syllabus in England, Harper Lee’s novel still appears on exam board specifications in Wales and Northern Ireland. The author was a consultant for the production of this film adaptation.

Cert

Age group14+

Duration108 mins

Macbeth(2015)

Gritty and dark adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy about a man consumed by ambition and desire for the throne.

This highly atmospheric film is adapted from the euphemistically nicknamed ‘Scottish play’, which is one of the set texts for the study of Shakespeare on the GCSE English Literature syllabus. The film's cinematography powerfully conveys the emotions and symbolism of the tragedy, aided by the outstanding lead performances.

Cert

Age group11+

Duration132 mins

Romeo and Juliet(1968)

Zeffirelli's 1968 version of Shakespeare's tragic love story.

Based on another popular set text on the syllabus for the study of Shakespearian drama, this screen version of Romeo and Juliet set in 14th century Renaissance Italy was one of the first film adaptations of the tragedy in which the two leads were played by actual teenagers.

Cert

Age group11+

Duration115 mins

Romeo + Juliet(1996)

Loud and colourful adaptation of Shakespeare's classic play about two star-crossed lovers from bitterly feuding families.

Baz Luhrmann’s interpretation of Romeo and Juliet sees the action of the play move to a 1990s Miami-inspired beach city, where two young people from warring gangs fall in love. The Shakespearian dialogue may at first seem out of context in such a setting, but the modern take on the story offers relevant and engaging references for young audiences.

Cert

Age group11–16

Duration106 mins

The Tempest(2010)

An intriguing adaptation of Shakespeare's final and most mystical play.

Listed as one of the set texts for the study of Shakespeare on the AQA and Edexcel exam board specifications for GCSE English Literature, The Tempest addresses the themes of fantasy and nature with an intensity that lends itself very well to the immersive medium of film. In this adaptation, magic, comedy and drama burst from the screen.

Cert

Age group14+

Duration104 mins

Much Ado About Nothing(2012)

A modern-dress adaptation of Shakespeare's play shot over 12 days in a Californian villa.

This jazzy yet understated film offers a fresh retelling of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy about new beginnings, which is another set text to choose from on the GCSE English Literature syllabus for the study of the English playwright.