actually works both ways...found some excellent reading after having seen the movie.
I am now a confirmed Patrick O'Brian addict thanks to Master and Commander..one more and will have the whole set in paperback Master and commander was a consolidation of plots from a number of books...just loved the movie and watched several times as I reread and reread the books!
Papillon: ( translated from the French by Patrick O'Brian)...fantastic read and enjoyed the movie ,sadly my DVD has now gone tits up.
Les Miserables (2 vols) saw the live musical..entertaining...Books fantastic.
Found one or two of the other classics that were made into movies hard going at times though.