As we collectively mourn the passing of Robert Redford and the wonderful human being he was, we remember his charisma, integrity, and golden glow. Upon reviewing his extensive filmography, we find that he has left behind another lasting legacy: The stories he brought to life on screen came from books. From campus comedies to sweeping memoirs, here’s a look at his acting roles and the novels that inspired them.
Tall Story (1960)
Based on The Homecoming Game by Howard Nemerov, Robert Redford’s silver-screen debut is a satirical movie that explores small-town life and its connection to college football. A high school History teacher fails the school’s star football player on the eve of the Homecoming game, leading to pleas from the school to change the grade. As Osman struggles with his moral integrity about changing the grade, he learns why so many people want him to change his mind.
Inside Daisy Clover (1965)
Inside Daisy Clover by Gavin Lambert dives into what Hollywood is like behind the scenes. Readers follow Daisy Clover, a starlet swept into the whirlwind of Hollywood, as we see her rapid rise to fame and the costs that come with it. Redford plays Wade Lewis in the adaptation, seducing and then promptly abandoning Daisy.
The Chase (1966)
The Chase by Horton Foote is a book that was adapted into a play and then a movie. Bubber Reeves, played by Redford, returns to his hometown after escaping prison. The local sheriff, Hawes, is determined to send him back to the penitentiary even though the townspeople would rather see him killed. A fast-paced novel with multi-faceted characters, The Chase shows the bad guys aren’t always who they seem.
Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here (1969)
In this film based on Willie Boy: A Desert Manhunt by Harry Lawton, Redford plays Sheriff Cooper, leading the search for outlaw Willie Boy. The novel follows a posse of men as they search for Willie Boy through more than 500 miles of desert wilderness to persecute him for killing the father of the woman he loved so they could marry. This classic Western story portrays the hunter and the hunted, highlighting themes of justice and cultural misunderstanding.
Downhill Racer (1969)
Based on The Downhill Racers by Oakley Hall, this film gives readers an inside look at competitive ski racing through the eyes of Redford’s character, David Chappellet, an overly confident American skier. Through the pursuit of fame, David’s relentless drive affects his personal and professional relationships.
Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
This iconic role from Redford is based on not one but two books: Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson by Raymond Thorp and Robert Bunker and Mountain Man by Vardis Fisher. Pulling from both books creates an adaptation that mixes history and myth of a mountain man seeking revenge.
Crow Killer: The Saga of Liver-Eating Johnson by Raymond Thorp and Robert Bunker recounts the legend of John Johnson, who is looking for revenge for the murder of his wife. On his quest for justice, John becomes infamous in his solitary struggle in mountain life.
“For Jeremiah Johnson, nobody wanted to make that film. I went to Sydney Pollack, and I said, ‘Sydney, I live in the mountains, and I would like to make a film about a person that had to exist in the mountains and survive in the mountains.”
Robert Redford
Mountain Man by Vardis Fisher follows a trapper, Sam Minard, who leads a solitary life in the mountains. This saga of survival is a classic Western tale that brings readers along as Minard embarks on a journey of self-discovery.
The Hot Rock (1972)
The Hot Rock by Donald E. Westlake follows bumbling criminals as they attempt to steal one priceless gem time and time again. In the adaptation, Redford plays John Dortmunder, who is the mastermind behind the attempts to steal the gem.
The Sting (1973)
Redford plays con artist Johnny Hooker, translating The Big Con: The Story of the Confidence Man by David Maurer to the silver screen with deception and charm. Maurer is a linguist by trade, and by earning the trust of con men and swindlers, he reveals the work that goes into the notorious scams.
The Great Gatsby (1974)
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is set in the Roaring Twenties, detailing the secret and tragic love story of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. Robert Redford’s performance as Jay Gatsby was so impeccably done that I consider it to be the only adaptation of the book worth watching.
Three Days of the Condor (1975)
Six Days of the Condor by James Grady has inspired two adaptations in its history. Robert Redford plays a CIA researcher, Joseph Turner, in this spy thriller. When his colleagues are assassinated, Joe is forced to live life on the run while he tries to uncover a conspiracy. The wonderful book also inspired a new TV series, Condor, featuring Max Irons, Mira Sorvino, and Brendan Fraser.
All the President’s Men (1976)
All the President’s Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward takes readers into the Watergate scandal through the eyes of two reporters, Bernstein and Woodward. Published before President Nixon’s official resignation, the investigative reporting that begins with Woodward’s suspicion has shaped journalism into what it is today. Redford plays Woodward in the recreation, bringing to life the curiosity and drive that are apparent in the book.
A Bridge Too Far (1977)
A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan recounts the failed World War II attempt to break through the German lines during Operation Market Garden. Ryan lifts the lid on the perspectives of soldiers and leaders of the Allied Front’s attempt. Redford took the role of Major Julian Cook, showcasing the bravery and ability to perform under high-stakes military duress of his character’s real-life counterpart.
Brubaker (1980)
In Accomplices to the Crime: The Arkansas Prison Scandal by Tom Murton and Joe Hyams, readers are exposed to the discovery of bodies buried on prison grounds at the Cummins facility. Former prison warden Tom Murton, who was hired to reform the prison system and inspired the character Brubaker, documents the abuse and corruption happening in Arkansas prisons. Redford plays the character based on Murton in the adaptation of this chilling exposé.
The Natural (1984)
The Natural by Bernard Malamud follows the career of baseball prodigy Roy Hobbs. Readers join Hobbs as he struggles with his morals, compromises on his values, and perseveres on a path of greatness. Redford’s ability to slide into the sports hero archetype only deepens the story’s resonance with the audience.
Out of Africa (1985)
Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen is a memoir that details her experiences living on a coffee farm in Kenya. As she reflects on love, loss, and the African landscape, readers gain a vivid picture of the impact of colonization and the profound appreciation Dinesen has for her time spent there. Redford plays Denis Finch-Hatton, an adventurous big-game hunter who captures Dinesen’s heart in a doomed-from-the-start love affair.
Indecent Proposal (1993)
Indecent Proposal by Jack Engelhard tests the strength of a married couple when a stranger offers them a million dollars to spend the night with the wife, Joan. This tumultuous exchange significantly alters the relationship throughout the novel. In the charismatic fashion for which Robert Redford is known, he plays the suave billionaire, capturing the eyes of audiences everywhere.
The Horse Whisperer (1998)
The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans follows the story of Grace after an accident leaves her and her horse traumatized. In an attempt to heal the trauma, her mother, Annie, takes her to a remote ranch in Montana to meet Tom Booker, a renowned horse whisperer. Redford plays Tom in the adaptation, bringing the book’s emotional healing and compassion to the forefront of the story.
An Unfinished Life (2005)
An Unfinished Life by Mark Spragg brings readers into Jean’s life as she escapes an abusive boyfriend with her daughter, Griff, to Wyoming, where her estranged father-in-law lives. Redford plays Einar, whose grief has all but consumed him as he still blames his daughter-in-law for the death of his son. A tale of love, friendship, and forgiveness, this adaptation is almost as good as the book.
Charlotte’s Web (2006)
The classic Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White, about friendship, follows a young pig named Wilbur as he is saved by a farmer’s daughter and raised as a pet. As Wilbur grows, he is graced with a weaving spider that writes messages in his doorway, which saves him from ending up on a dinner plate and gets him the attention of the townsfolk. This timeless tale is graced with Robert Redford’s voice as Ike the horse.
The Company You Keep (2012)
The Company You Keep by Neil Gordon centers on single father Jim Grant, who also happens to be a decades-long fugitive. Everything takes a turn for the worse when reporter Ben Schulberg notices the link between the now-lawyer and notorious Vietnam-era activist. Redford acted and directed in this adaptation, taking viewers through Grant’s complex emotions and the motives behind his actions.
A Walk in the Woods (2015)
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson is a captivating tale of Appalachia, chronicling Bryson’s attempt to thru-hike the 2,190-mile-long trail. His journey brings along a friend and recovering alcoholic, Stephen Katz. The pair of hikers flies out to Georgia to start their hike, with wise warnings from both Bryson’s wife and a taxi driver that the trek will be long and tiring. Redford plays Bill Bryson in this buddy comedy filled with adventure.
Truth (2015)
Truth and Duty: The Press, the President, and the Privilege of Power by Mary Mapes is a firsthand account of Mapes’ investigation into President George W. Bush’s military records. Redford plays Dan Rather, the news anchor who aired the original report. The falsified records found in the report elicited a political attack from bloggers at the time, who claimed that these were forgeries, prompting Mapes to criticize the decline of journalistic standards and the influence of politicians in the news media.
Our Souls at Night (2017)
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf is a touching story about two widowed elderly neighbors, Addie and Louis. One night, Addie suggests that they share their evenings together, in an attempt to stave off the loneliness. Redford plays Louis, and his chemistry with Addie is achingly perfect. It feels almost serendipitous that Robert Redford entered Hollywood alongside Jane Fonda, and his acting career ended with him starring alongside her once more.
I don’t know what your childhood was like, but we didn’t have much money. We’d go to a movie on a Saturday night, then on Wednesday night my parents would walk us over to the library. It was such a big deal, to go in and get my own book.
Robert Redford
Across more than five decades, Robert Redford reached us with more than Hollywood stardom, but a love of literature at the heart of it all. Throughout his time on the silver screen, these stories became more than adapted works; they inspired a culture and a lived experience to accompany them.
In the mood for some more adaptations? Check out these 7 Book-to-Graphic Novel Adaptations that Breathe New Life into the Story.
Find these books and more on our Book to Screen Adaptations for Your Viewing and Reading Pleasure bookshelf on Bookshop.
