The Day of the Triffids
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Movie Reviews of The Day of the Triffids
Movie Review: There are none so blind as those who will not see
Summary: 4 Stars
Growing up in the sixties introduced me to many new ideas which included the burgeoning science fiction movement and almost in tandem the development of the fantasy fiction movement.
While some authers probed beyond the stars, others looked at the science fiction of the near future including the recently deceased J.G. Ballard.
John Wyndam was a sort of bridge between the two, to my mind at least, the link between the fiction of H.G. Wells and that of Ballard and his contemporaries. His books are dense with drama and characters set in the class based system which was very much a part of post war Britain while the author looked ahead to a time when that would be changed.
Attempts to translate the books into movies or television have not been terribly successful, mainly, in my most humble opinion, due to their attempts to make them into horror movies rather than suspenseful dramas, losing much of the message of the novels in the process.
As a cinema-goer, one often hears the cry that the film bears little resemblance to the book, usually in the form of a derogatory comment. Whilst I am always prepared to give the filmaker the benefit of the doubt as the film itself must stand alone, there are some occasions when there is a case for the criticism.
My feeling in this case is that this serialisation remains as close to the text as it possibly can do, particularly given the limited capabilities for special effects in the late seventies and early eighties. Having said that, I feel that the programmes do genuinely reflect the intent of the author and despite some deficiencies in some of the effects, they achieve their objective in serialisation for television.
Some will find that the lack of a horror dimension and a laser gun science fiction approach will result in a disappointing production but, for those fans of Wyndham in particular, they will discover a robust defence of his novel and a view of his political vision of the future of Britain which is an accurate one.
Movie Review: Fast forward through 11.5 minutes of excess
Summary: 4 Stars
Unlike the mediocre 1962 movie, the 1981 miniseries is an excellent adaptation of the book. The 1981 version explores the moral and practical dilemmas of survival faced by a single family and four groups with different philosophies and goals.
Telecast in six episodes, this miniseries suffers from simple settings that, however, add to a documentary feel. Episodes 1-3 take place in London whereas episodes 4-6 occur in the country. The latter episodes are perhaps better partly for that reason. There is at least one blooper: The helicopter supposedly flown solo actually has two people in it! The image is rather soft throughout.
The DVD lacks extras, although it does come with an informative 12-page booklet in fine print.
The six episodes (6 chapters per episode) were each broadcast in a 30-minute time period. Each episode has opening and closing credits that overlay ghoulish faces of a woman and a man accompanied by eerie triffid music, whereas episodes 2-6 each open with a repeat of the last 30 seconds or so of the previous episode. Chapter 6 of each episode is the closing credits.
The 12 showings of the credits and the 5 repeats of the cliff-hanger endings not only waste considerable time but also, and more importantly, seriously interrupt the flow of the movie.
The excess footage is roughly 11.5 minutes: 6 minutes, 2 seconds unneeded for closing credits of episodes 1-5; about 3 minutes unneeded for opening credits of episodes 2-6; about 2.5 minutes unneeded for the cliff-hanger repeats beginning episodes 2-6. The solution is, tediously, to FAST FORWARD THROUGH THE DUPLICATION.
Eliminating the excess footage gives a true running time of 2 hours, circa 27.5 minutes, versus the present running time of 2 hours, 39 minutes. The DVD should have allowed the option of viewing the series in serial form (as is the present case) or in seamless movie form.
Movie Review: Faithful to the original novel
Summary: 4 Stars
"The Day of the Triffids" television series renders faithfully John Wyndham's 1951 novel that established his name as a writer of science fiction. Six, 30-minute episodes tell the story of Bill Masen, a "Triffid" farmer surviving in a post-apocolyptic world where the vast majority of the population has been suddenly stricken blind by a spectacularly brilliant meteor shower. Because he was recovering from eye surgery and his eyes were bandaged, Bill' sight is spared -- an interesting twist. Spared also is Jo Payton, a party girl Bill meets along the way who was nursing a hangover during the celestial event. There are others, too, who for one reason or another missed the event and still have their sight. But they are in the minority.
Add to the mix the Triffids -- gigantic, carnivorous plants able to uproot themselves and move about, fell a man with a single sting then wait until the remains decompose to a state the Triffid's root system can absorb. The Triffids were farmed in electified containments, harvested for a precious oil they produce. But now the monsters are out of the box.
If society is to survive, the sighted must take charge. Those vying to lead mankind out of the darkness offer a variety of approaches, some with questionable motives.
Fans of the 1962 theatrical film of the same name will be disappointed at the lack of glitzy special effects and horrifying encounters between Triffids and their blind, helpless prey. Fans of the novel, however, will appreciate the focus on ethical and moral dilemas presented by the events as they arise, and that typify Wyndham's writings.
At its core, "The Day of the Triffids" is a lesson in situation ethics, here subdued but terrifying nonetheless. I recommend it to fans of the original author and serious consumers of the genre.
Movie Review: Not Janette Scott's Triffids (these spit poison and kill)
Summary: 4 Stars
The reviews so far seem to be of two different camps - fans who fondly remember the BBC series from the 1980's and non-fans who jeer at the dated production values. This version of day of the Triffids holds up well over 25 years after it was first broadcast - especially compared to other TV series of the same era. I am specifically thinking about the Louis Jourdan version of Dracula which I fondly remembered but now seemed hokey with lame psychedelic effects. But Triffids is still very effective and thought provoking, it is well acted (especially John Duttine as Bill Masen) and the Triffid plants seem plausible (though I think they move a little to fast). But this series is not a $100 million blockbuster, so if that what you are expecting, avoid this DVD. This TV version is far superior to the 1962 movie.Movie Review: FINALLY IT'S HERE
Summary: 4 Stars
THIS [THE ORIGINAL BBC VERSION] IS FAITHFUL TO JOHN WYNDHAMS BOOK. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 20 YEARS TO GET A PROFESSIONAL COPY OF IT. WHEN I FIRST SAW IT IN 1985, I MADE A VHS COPY WHICH I WORE OUT IN 10 YEARS! I WISH THAT THEY HAD REMASTERED THE SOUND [DOLBY DIGITAL] AS WELL AS THE PICTURE. IT'S APPROACH [LIKE MOST MOVIES FROM THE UK] IS RELATIVELY LOW KEY [IT'S NOT A SHOOT EM UP!]. IF YOU'VE SEEN THIS PRESENTATION BEFORE, GET IT FOR YOUR LIBRARY. IT'S HEAD & SHOULDERS ABOVE THE 1962 MOVIE BEARING THE SAME NAME. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!