Busch Annapolis Library Spring Classic Film Series: Great Books, Great Movies

While a good number of great films have been based on not-so-great books, few great films have been made out of novels that have remained in print, studied, and admired for many decades, even centuries. In this series we’ll examine four outstanding movies based on classic works of literature. Each movie is introduced by area cinephile Ann Glenn with info about the film’s production, actors and a post-screening Q&A session.

Billy Budd (1962) Monday, April 22, 6pm

A memorable adaptation of Herman Melville’s acclaimed short novel, this portrayal of sailors aboard a 19th century military ship was filmed, in part, aboard an actual sailing vessel while underway. By far the best film adaptation of any work by Melville, critic Pauline Kael called the film “a clean, honest work of intelligence and craftsmanship.”

2 hr. 3 mins. Not rated.