Raven Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 Cool! Thanks for the info. It will indeed be interesting to see how they handle it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knitnat Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 I remember reading this in High School and watching it too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie2008 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Interesting. I'll make sure I catch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iagegu Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 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!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 If Mr Izzard is involved I'll be very impressed (although IMDb don't mention him on the castlist...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 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 . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipread Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Looks promising, it`s got a good cast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie2008 Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Great cast, I'm looking forward to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share Posted December 3, 2009 Looks like this is going to air on December 28th and 29th at 9pm on BBC One (two 90 minute episodes). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie2008 Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 I had totally forgot about this. Thanks for the warning I'll look out for it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 Oh dear! That doesn't sound good at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted December 12, 2009 Author Share Posted December 12, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted December 16, 2009 Author Share Posted December 16, 2009 I will watch it, and I'm trying to keep an open mind - we'll just have to wait and see, I guess! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Univerze Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 I'll be watching Triffids tonight - I've been eagerly anticipating it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 I am looking forward to it, its one of my favourite books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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