Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Telly addicts

Related: Film discussion forum.

Original poster

Anyone else watching the crap that is Day of the Triffids?

115 replies

HellBent · 28/12/2009 22:09

It is really rubbish the triffids are like the spooky trees from snow white! And how handy that the two people who could see were from the oil company who caused it and a radio presenter who could broadcast to everyone!

OP posts:
Pantofino · 29/12/2009 00:15

They did it quite well I think. It IS fiction after all. No-one sits here week after week and decides wheher the plot of Spooks and Holby City lives up to reality. Cos that would be sad.

Pantofino · 29/12/2009 00:16
Grin
UnquietDad · 29/12/2009 00:46

Some things are more true to the "vision" of the original story than to the letter. There's nothing wrong with that.

I remember the eerie silent spookiness of the world in the 1981 John Duttine version, and I remember thinking at the time how wrong that was - the chaos would be loud, and visible.

You could accuse them of adding the plane crash for added spectacle, but it is what would happen if nearly everyone went blind - there would be hundreds of plane crashes and thousands of car crashes. I find it more unbelievable how Izzard survived the crash and that he was the only one on his plane wearing a night-mask.

The eco-warrior wasn't dramatically "necessary" as such, but again it is probably what would happen. The Triffids would have got out eventually, but not through an electrified fence - it was just a way of accelerating the drama.

saramoon · 29/12/2009 09:35

I was watching it just cos Dougray Scott was in it!

LadyOfTheFlowers · 29/12/2009 09:39

DH watched it and will be watching it again tonight - Thank God DS1 got a DS for Crimbo complete with Mario Kart.

OhYouMerryMerryKitten · 29/12/2009 09:39

The plants were very very funny.

Thought it was watchable crap for this time of year.

Georgimama · 29/12/2009 09:40

I didn't even realise it was Dougray Scott. I noticed the lead male was yumtastic, now I know why.

The early panic scenes were well done, but I don't understand where everyone had gone by about an hour in. London was deserted. Surely they couldn't all have died already?

foxinsocks · 29/12/2009 09:45

I was terrified of the original 80s series. They reshowed it on Bbc3 or 4 fairly recently and even now, a good 20 years on, you could feel the eery spookiness of it (though the plants didn't look as scary ). In the original, they created an atmosphere of terror that this one just didn't have.

and lol at purple sprouting brocolli. There's a flower I thought they looked like but couldn't put my finger on which one!

UnquietDad · 29/12/2009 11:11

Joely has worn well. She's 44 according to Wikipedia!

OrmIrian · 29/12/2009 11:15

I enjoyed it. I think the triffids looked as they were described. The changes were only minor compared to the libertise that are taken with many of my favourites books.

It's not great but good fun.

Flame · 29/12/2009 11:44

I have it recorded. Think I may just delete it and read the book again.

blissa · 29/12/2009 11:45

I watched it because it has Eddie Izzard and Dougray Scott in it!

I haven't read the book or seen any other adaptations and so was able to sit and watch it without knowing how they've changed anything.

It isn't brilliant, but it is watchable.

Chuffinnora I said the same to dp, I thought they'd have headed straight to Tesco or ASDA!

Georgimama · 29/12/2009 11:46

Watch it flame, Eddie Izzard is a revelation as a straight actor, and Dougray Scott is terribly tasty.

foxinsocks · 29/12/2009 11:47

I thought eddie izzard was bizarre in it

I kept thinking he was going to break out into song

Flame · 29/12/2009 12:01

Ok..... if I feel I have wasted hours of my life I will blame you

mrmellors · 29/12/2009 12:28

I thought it was OK, DH works at the Gherkin (ooh sorry the "sighted HQ") and thought the bit outside Moorgate tube looked like a regular Friday night at closing time, with everyone stumbling around and groping at each other.

I used to work with a girl who was named after a character in a John Wyndham book (very unusual name - parents were big sci-fi fans) - he got to hear of it and wrote her a lovely letter and sent a christening gift (a silver spoon engraved with her name), both of which she still has. Always thought that was a lovely story about him.

morningpaper · 29/12/2009 12:31

I really enjoyed it! I'm always surprised that Wyndham's work isn't re-made more often TBH, I think it's brill and timeless.

morningpaper · 29/12/2009 12:31

and I really fancied Eddie Izzard

quite badly

Georgimama · 29/12/2009 12:33

Me too MP. I do think villians are much better when nattily attired. DH said that in that situation first thing he would do would be a smash and grab on Jermyn Street to get some great clobber. Actually I think he'd be runnning in circles like a demented chicken screaming "we're all going to die!!!" but he feels happier like that.

morningpaper · 29/12/2009 12:35

Absolutely

Who doesn't like a well dressed evil bastard?

(this does not include Zac Goldsmith obviously)

OrmIrian · 29/12/2009 12:37

Anyone notice that age-old stereotype? The baddie was the posh Englishman. Glad to see things haven't changed beyond recognition

Boco · 29/12/2009 12:41

I really enjoyed it! I love the book and have read it several times, I didn't think they could update it, but I thought they did it pretty well - good silly Christmas scary fun. Did think Eddie Izzard was bizzarre though.

sphil · 29/12/2009 12:43

I don't really get his motivation - does he just want total domination, or what?

Georgimama · 29/12/2009 12:47

I think he's just a complete nut job power freak who's having a lovely time. Great fun.

MumtoCharlieandLola · 29/12/2009 12:57

DarrylRivers, you made me laugh out loud, which is quite worrying, because I am at work, and the only one in the office!

I wondered at the strange co-incidence of two people (male/female), same age, same intelligence level, both reasonably good looking - not looking at the solar storm and ending up together!!

What a total load of twaddle...

I shall watch it again tonight