The Day of the Triffids (BBC, 2009)

[Raven]

The BBC have announced that they are working on a new version of John Wyndham's science fiction classic, The Day of the Triffids.

 

The new version will be shown in two feature length instalments next year, and it will be set in London and the South East in the year 2011.

 

You can read more about this here: Triffids returning to television.

 

I'm in two minds about this, part of me is really excited, but another part is worried by the "fast-paced, futuristic and electrifying take" line in the above article.

 

Triffids just isn't an action story, and the plants themselves aren't really the focus, they are there as a plot device to help facilitate the breakdown of society story.

 

Also, it's going to have to be good to beat the 1981 adaptation!

[Kylie]

Cool! Thanks for the info. It will indeed be interesting to see how they handle it.

[knitnat]

I remember reading this in High School and watching it too!

[Stephanie2008]

I have never read the book but I will watch this. The BBC tends to do books justice e.g. Oliver Twist, Little Dorrit etc.

[~Andrea~]

Interesting. I'll make sure I catch it.

[Janet]

I haven't read this since about 1980! I can't remember much about it. I watched the '81 adaptation too but it doesn't help!

 

I think I might try to get hold of a copy to read before I watch this.

[Iagegu]

I haven't read this book since the very early 80's. Maybe it's time for a re-read ready for the BBC adaption.

 

Thanks for the info.

[Raven]

It looks like the BBC have lined up a pretty impressive cast for this.

 

Dougray Scott will take the lead as Bill Mason, with Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson, Eddie Izzard, Brian Cox and Jason Priestley (what?!) all cast in other parts.

 

My guess is that Richardson will be playing Josella, but past that who are the others going to play?! I can see Brian Cox playing Coker, Torrance or Michael Beadley - if they are keeping any of those characters.

 

More information here: Redgrave set for Triffids remake.

[Chrissy]

Thanks for the heads up on this one Raven, perhaps closer to the date we could start a thread for the book and BBC adaptation!

 

And the cast look pretty good - I'm a big Brian Cox fan (Manhunter did it for me!)

[Kell]

If Mr Izzard is involved I'll be very impressed (although IMDb don't mention him on the castlist...)

[Raven]

This is the cast list, according to the Press Release:

 

Dougray Scott as Bill Masen;

Joely Richardson as Jo Playton;

Brian Cox as Dennis Masen;

Vanessa Redgrave as Durrant;

Eddie Izzard as Torrence and

Jason Priestley as Coker.

 

I can see Izzard playing Torrance, it's not that much of a removal from Gary Olsen who played him in the '81 version, but Jason "90210" Priestley as Coker?!

 

I'm getting old . . .

[pipread]

Looks promising, it`s got a good cast.

[Stephanie2008]

Great cast, I'm looking forward to it.

[Raven]

Looks like this is going to air on December 28th and 29th at 9pm on BBC One (two 90 minute episodes).

[Stephanie2008]

I had totally forgot about this. Thanks for the warning I'll look out for it now.

[Raven]

I wouldn't hold your breath, if you are a fan of the book.

 

Some of the promotional material that has been released is making it sound as though someone has taken a hatchet to the plot and characters.

 

We'll have to wait and see, but I strongly suspect that this could be this years The Thirty-Nine Steps.

[Kylie]

Oh dear! That doesn't sound good at all

[Raven]

No, it doesn't, and if you throw in the fact that they haven't shown any pictures of the Triffids yet, it makes you wonder about the strength of the production.

[chesilbeach]

I still have memories of nightmares about the TV series from when I was little, so I might give this one a miss anyway I'm such a scaredy cat

[Michelle]

I intend to approach this the same as I do most adaptations.. as a completely different entity. I don't expect a faithful copy of the book, or the original series.. I will try to enjoy it in it's won right.. then I won't be disappointed.

[Janet]

We'll have to wait and see, but I strongly suspect that this could be this years The Thirty-Nine Steps.

Oh goodness, that was dire!

 

I think I'll give this a miss. I don't mind if it's something I haven't read (like Wuthering Heights) as I have no expectations, but I do expect them to be reasonably faithful to the original story.

 

The Thirty-Nine Steps was dreadful!

[Raven]

I will watch it, and I'm trying to keep an open mind - we'll just have to wait and see, I guess!

[Univerze]

Ah, it's on telly tonight. On BBC. Might watch it, or record it I think, since mom doesn't understand English well enough to watch it without subtitles.

 

And honestly, I haven't see or read The Thirty-Nine Steps, but what comes to mind more is War of the World, and then the horrible adaptation with Tom Cruise. Hollywood remake for sure.

[Kell]

I'll be watching Triffids tonight - I've been eagerly anticipating it!

[Weave]

I am looking forward to it, its one of my favourite books