Popular book morphs into a movie

Pages from the best-selling novel "The Physician" come to life.

German film makers are turning the Noah Gordon book into a star-studded movie.

British actor Tom Payne plays Rob Cole who emigrates from medieval England to Persia to study medicine with the 'doctor of all doctors' -- a role played by Sir Ben Kingsley.

For Payne the part is a dream come true.

SOUNDBITE: Tom Payne, actor, saying (English):

"This job has been fantastic because it's exactly what you want when you start the job, really. You get to dress up and being in a different time and different place, you know... different hair - this is not my hair."

Actor Olivier Martinez says the experience has been eye opening.

SOUNDBITE: Olivier Martinez, actor, saying (English):

"In this part I have some possibilities to do things as a character than I've never been proposed before.... to be king, a king in a far country in the 11th century. It's a trip, you know. (Reporter question: Like what?) You'll see."

'The Physician' is expected to be in cinemas by Christmas 2013.