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Awakenings adaptations: books & films
Every version of Awakenings — the books & films, compared across media.
The story at the heart of Awakenings is one of the most striking in modern medicine: a group of survivors from the sleeping-sickness epidemic of the 1920s, left in a decades-long catatonic state, who were brought back to consciousness through an experimental drug. The 1973 book documented these patients and their extraordinary reawakening. The 1990 film retells that same story across a different medium, bringing its human drama to the screen.
Awakenings films
Awakenings books
Frequently asked
Is the film Awakenings based on a book?
Yes — the 1990 film Awakenings is based on the 1973 book of the same name, which documented the real cases of sleeping-sickness survivors who were reawakened through experimental treatment.
How many versions of Awakenings are there?
There are two versions covered here: the 1973 book Awakenings and the 1990 dramatic film Awakenings, which retells the same events.
Should I read the book or watch the film first?
The 1973 book Awakenings is the original account; the 1990 film Awakenings is an accessible dramatic retelling. Either works as a starting point depending on whether you prefer prose or film.