Incorrect. That anime series and the movies were based off of Death Note, but are not the original Death Note. The original was a manga, which you can read here. If you want to watch the movie of the book or the TV show of the book you may, but in general in cases like this (and in this cas in particular as well) I find that the original is much better. Death Note is so good, however, that after reading the manga through to the end you may want more. If so, then go to the anime and the movies, but I very strongly recommend you start with the original.
Incorrect. That anime series and the movies were based off of Death Note, but are not the original Death Note. The original was a manga, which you can read here. If you want to watch the movie of the book or the TV show of the book you may, but in general in cases like this (and in this cas in particular as well) I find that the original is much better. Death Note is so good, however, that after reading the manga through to the end you may want more. If so, then go to the anime and the movies, but I very strongly recommend you start with the original.