[Jemian]

Was the book true to the Basil Rathbone movie, and was it as good?

The correct question is, "Was the movie true to the book...?"

Not entirely and it wasn't as good. Movies very rarely are. The directors and producers never get the sets and characters quite right.

[Meem the Scream]

You're completely right. The movie is never as good as the book, and I think it's because one's own imagination from reading the book is always going to be better than someone else's interpretation. I'm always disappointed with the movie… even Gone With the Wind. Though I love the movie like crazy, the book was so much better.