Day of the Triffids

[Shaun]

First of all, regarding bonj's posts, they are hilarious, cut out the winging about personal insults, it's fine if it's done in such a comical way!

No it isn't.

Bonj, please be polite.

Thanks,
Shaun

 

[jeltz]

it seems that what you've done is write off the dramatisation simply because it isn't true to the original book without appreciating it for its own merits, and have turned your nose up and missed giving yourself the chance to enjoy it for what it is - a modern adaptation. Maybe that's an unavoidable perspective if you've read the book, which I haven't.

Well I've not read the book either and I thought it was pretty poor, predictable, and didn't stand up to any form of scrutiny. It was quite far too similar to "Survivors" which was IMHO better constructed, series 2 of which is broadcast soon.

 

[darkstar]

Well I've not read the book either and I thought it was pretty poor, predictable, and didn't stand up to any form of scrutiny. It was quite far too similar to "Survivors" which was IMHO better constructed, series 2 of which is broadcast soon.

If it was that predictable then the triffids would have been killed off and the whole world saved, surely?

 

[661-Pete]

If it was that predictable then the triffids would have been killed off and the whole world saved, surely?

I think the public likes an apocalyptic/invasion type SF book or film with a 'happy ending' where the 'invaders' are finished off in some way. For instance War of the Worlds or Midwich Cuckoos/Village of the Damned. Back to as-you-were folks, move along there, nothing more to see! But not all apocalypses end so neatly. John Wyndham purposely leaves the ending of Triffids vague and ambiguous, with the protagonists marooned on the Isle of Wight but with no clear strategy as to how to proceed. It is noteworthy (hope no-one minds the spoiler) that in the book the character 'Torrence' is not killed off, merely evaded, and he is left at large as a force to be reckoned with should the main protagonists ever attempt to reclaim the mainland...

As for Survivors (next helping of the 2008 version coming up next week ), well the original 1975 version didn't come up with a dramatic 'happy ending', in fact it fizzled out because it had become a soap opera with nowhere left to go. I think hardly anyone watched the third series right to the end, I'm certain I didn't. But the first series was great! I wish the BBC would re-run it. Whether the 2010 follow-up to 2008 will be worth it - well I don't know do I?...

 

[Arch]

As for the program, i though it was excellent. Very enjoyable and well produced. My parents even agreed, and they are nearly 60 and have read the original. They though the update was much needed and provided an interesting twist the the story.

Astonishing, son and parents have similar taste and ideas.... That proves everything doesn't it.

I remember the 80's version with John Duttine, and it was pretty faithful to the book, although I think the street scenes had been updated to 80's cars and so on - I don't remember exactly, but I know I saw the TV first, then read the book, and they seemed to gel very well. I don't think the same could be said for this adaptation. Ho hum, if that's what people want, but it's not fair to have a go at us who would have liked to see it done differently.

Of course, bonj is right, we should just make our own version. I'll just nip out and buy a film company and we'll get started. I'm thinking about casting, but can't get beyond David Morrisey as Bill Masen, because I like him and he has depth. But I'm not sure he's right.

I'm trying to visualise a perfect adaptation of The Chrysalids too, but as the main characters start as children, I can't get beyond thinking about the kids in Outnumbered....

 

[darkstar]

Astonishing, son and parents have similar taste and ideas.... That proves everything doesn't it.

It was just an observation, but to be honest my taste usually varies considerable when compared to my parents. So yes, i suppose it does prove something. No need to be sarcastic.

 

[Arch]

It was just an observation, but to be honest my taste usually varies considerable when compared to my parents. So yes, i suppose it does prove something. No need to be sarcastic.

Oh, so it's fine for bonj to hurl insults as he fancies, but not for me to be sarcastic?

 

[darkstar]

Oh, so it's fine for bonj to hurl insults as he fancies, but not for me to be sarcastic?

There is a huge difference, his post contained some humour.

 

[Arch]

There is a huge difference, his post contained some humour.

So? When was humour a prerequisite for a post?

Anyway, this is all very entertaining, but off topic. Can anyone here (preferably someone who has actually read his work) recommend authors and books I might like if I like John Wyndham? I thought I might try that one of his that was mentioned as mysogenist, just for completeness, if it turns up cheap somewhere. Any author is bound to produce some stuff that dates badly - as a kid I galloped though Willard Price Adventure books, and it was only on re-reading later in life that I noticed the rather more dubious overtones about natives. I must say, I haven't ever thought Wyndham had any problem with women from the books and short stories of his I have read...

 

[darkstar]

So? When was humour a prerequisite for a post?

Oh this is great fun! Brilliant method of putting of thank you letters.
Thats a good point and of course correct, i see no problems with insults, nor do i see problems with the use of sarcasm, as long as it's enjoyable to read and makes a valid point

 

[Arch]

Ah, you've missed my latest sarcasm - whem I said it was 'all very entertaining', I meant 'very dull'.... So I'm not playing any more and going to do my laundry. Get on with your thank you letters...

 

[darkstar]

Ah, you've missed my latest sarcasm - whem I said it was 'all very entertaining', I meant 'very dull'.... So I'm not playing any more and going to do my laundry. Get on with your thank you letters...

Arr you win.

 

[661-Pete]

I thought I might try that one of his that was mentioned as mysogenist, just for completeness, if it turns up cheap somewhere.

err... that was me I think. Someone has put up the text of Consider Her Ways online, apparently, possibly in breach of copyright because the book wasn't written all that long ago. Anyway, judge for yourself, maybe I was stretching it a bit when I said 'misogynist', just that it's a dystopia peopled entirely by women (I don't think that's too much of a spoiler).

As to recommending reading matter after Wyndham, well that's difficult. There's no-one really quite like Wyndham, he's unique in a sense. So work through his short stories: many of them are similar-themed (e.g. time travel, parallel universe) but each has its own twist.

 

[Arch]

err... that was me I think. Someone has put up the text of Consider Her Ways online, apparently, possibly in breach of copyright because the book wasn't written all that long ago. Anyway, judge for yourself, maybe I was stretching it a bit when I said 'misogynist', just that it's a dystopia peopled entirely by women (I don't think that's too much of a spoiler).

As to recommending reading matter after Wyndham, well that's difficult. There's no-one really quite like Wyndham, he's unique in a sense. So work through his short stories: many of them are similar-themed (e.g. time travel, parallel universe) but each has its own twist.

Ah, right, thanks. I don't know that a dystopia peopled by women is all that insulting, when one considered the countless fictional dystopias run by men...

I have one book of short stories, which I've enjoyed, I'll have to look and see if there are more.

 

[skudupnorth]

Well i liked it !