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Here's a sparse chronology of feature film adaptations. Later on, I intend to add more in-depth reactions/reviews of the movies, and any important or relevant notes for each title. The info below is either from from memory, IMDb.com, or home videos I have.

The bold names signify people who have contributed to more than one film adaptation. If you look carefully, you'll also notice "regulars" (not all, but some) of Merchant-Ivory productions as well.

1984

"A Passage to India"

Directed, adapted and edited by David Lean
Produced by John Brabourne and Richard Goodwin
Actors included Judy Davis (Adela Quested), Victor Banerjee (Dr. Aziz), Peggy Ashcroft (Mrs. Moore), James Fox (Cyril Fielding), Alec Guinness (Godpole) and Nigel Havers (Ronny)
11 Academy Award nominations; 2 wins: Ashcroft for supporting actress and Maurice Jarre for original score)

I like this film as a film -- as an adaptation it doesn't win me over completely, though -- the casting of Alec Guinness is unusual, not to mention questionable, and the last (crucial) section of the novel isn't really done justice. Overall however, I won't hesitate to say that it's a very well constructed and performed film. Come on -- it's a David Lean film. Think high production standards, and high acting standards. It's not going to be a stinker. :-)

1986

"A Room with a View"

Directed by James Ivory
Adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Produced by Ismail Merchant
Actors included Helena Bonham Carter (Lucy), Julian Sands (George), Daniel Day-Lewis (Cecil), Maggie Smith (Charlotte), Denholm Elliott (Mr. Emerson), Simon Callow (Mr. Beebe), Rupert Graves (Freddy)
8 AA nominations; 3 wins: Jhabvala for screenplay, Jenny Beavan & John Bright for costume design, Luciana Arrighi for art direction-set design

Great performances, beautiful music, and a very well-adapted sceenplay. The Merchant-Ivory-Jhabvala team really scored with its first Forster project. Although -- as in any film -- Forsterites will miss Morgan's own narrative, the movie manages to retain the rare and upbeat Forsterian spirit of this novel.

1987

"Maurice"

Directed by James Ivory
Adapted by Kit Hesketh-Harvey and James Ivory
Produced by Ismail Merchant
Actors included James Wilby (Maurice), Hugh Grant (Clive), Rupert Graves (Alec Scudder), Simon Callow (Mr. Ducie), Denholm Elliott (Dr. Barry)
1 AA nomination (Jenny Beavan & John Bright, costume design)

Unlike the other titles listed here, I have only seen "Maurice" once -- at least six years ago. Since it's been so long, I'll postpone writing any comments for it until I get a chance to watch it again. (I do remember that Helena Bonham Carter made a cameo appearance.)

1991

"Where Angels Fear to Tread"

Directed by Charles Sturridge
Adapted by Tim Sullivan, Derek Granger and Charles Sturridge
Produced by Derek Granger
Actors included Helena Bonham Carter (Miss Abbott), Rupert Graves (Mr. Herriton), Judy Davis (Harriet Herriton), Giovanni Guidelli (Gino) and Helen Mirren (Lilia Herriton)
For more information, visit the IMDb's entry

I was rather disappointed in the adaptation-aspect of this movie -- the film felt overdramatic and soap operatic at times, and failed to develop a key concept involving Miss Abbott and Mr. Herriton. The actors were fine, except they really could have done so much more had the screenplay given them more. The movie does have notable merits, but on the whole, I found it lacked continuity and ended up being confusing.

1992

"Howards End"

Directed by James Ivory
Adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Produced by Ismail Merchant
Actors included Emma Thompson (Margaret Schlegel), Helena Bonham Carter (Helen Schlegel), Anthony Hopkins (Henry Wilcox), Vanessa Redgrave (Ruth Wilcox), Samuel West (Leonard Bast) and James Wilby (Charles Wilcox)
9 AA nominations; 3 wins: Jhabvala for screenplay, Thompson for actress, Luciana Arrighi for art direction-set decoration

By far my favorite Forster adaptation. "Howards End" is also my all-time favorite movie. Although it's not and can't be the same as the novel, the Merchant-Ivory-Jhabvala team -- I think mainly Jhabvala's written foundation -- really brought out a rich and focused drama that really complements the novel. There's no way to make a "true" or word-for-word adaptation, so what the team decided to include and exclude obviously influenced the end product.

Having a good screenplay from the start really made a difference, and I don't think anyone else could have done a better job than the people who were involved with the production. Although I loved Emma Thompson as Margaret, I'm convinced that James Wilby's portrayal of Charles is underrated -- he's a talented character actor, and it's the best work I've ever seen him do. Only a few people won Oscars, but if there had been a "best ensemble" award, the cast would have earned it. Then again, if this film had been released a few years later, it would have cleaned up house. :-) (Curious about my love for the novel? I talk about that on the "About this site & its maintainer" page.)

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