The Day of the Triffids - Synopsis for the new TV show

I always enjoyed the idea of John Wyndham’s The Day of The Triffids, but the old film never really did anything for me. However, I have fond memories of the old BBC series (although lots of it just seemed to be people standing around, chatting and looking miserable). This synopsis does seem to hit the spot and Eddie Izzard as the bad guy could be good. Be warned though as there are an awful lot of spoilers for the new BBC series.

The film is due out later this year. I just hope the Triffid's look cool.

Scientist Bill Masen (DOUGRAY SCOTT), has dedicated his life’s work to the study of the complex plant species called Triffids, Genetically modified, they are mass-produced for their ‘Triffoil’, a vital source of renewable fuel. Bill has noticed an unnerving change in their behavioural patterns. The Triffids are starting to communicate. Meanwhile, crowds gather across the globe to witness a much-anticipated solar storm. But the spectacle blinds all those who watch it and the world goes into free fall. In London, fear and panic rage as the blind desperately depend for survival on the few remaining sighted. An even greater nightmare awaits. The Triffids are hungry and moving toward the cities for the most abundant source of their prey - mankind.

Having narrowly escaped blindness, Bill forms an instant attraction with a fellow sighted survivor – the outspoken journalist, Jo Playton (JOELY RICHARDSON). They meet Torrence (EDDIE IZZARD), a flagrantly amoral opportunist, who delights in his new appointment: presiding over the weak and the blind - laying down the foundations for his autocratic government. The Triffid invasion is the perfect crisis for Torrence to work to his own spurious agenda. Despite his feelings for Jo, Bill knows he must leave London. Their one chance of survival lies in reaching the only man who knows more about the Triffids than he does - his estranged father, Dennis (BRIAN COX).

On his perilous mission, Bill breaks free of Torrence and his henchmen, is offered as a sacrifice to the Triffids by the maniacal, messianic community leader Durrant (VANESSA REDGRAVE) and rescues two sisters, Imogen and Susan. These children have lost everything and seek his protection in the final leg of an extraordinary journey. Jo finally finds her way to Bill and the children but their happy reunion is short lived. The desperate efforts of Bill and Dennis to stop the Triffids’ pollination are interrupted by Torrence and his army who surround their house. Caught in the crossfire between the bullets of Torrence’s subordinates and a fast approaching horde of Triffids, Bill’s hopes of saving his newfound family seem doomed to fail. With insurmountable odds against them - how will they make it out alive?

Source: 24FPS

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The Prisoner and The Day of The Triffids posters

Dougray Scott, Brian Cox, Joely Richardson and Eddie Izzard with a gun in this poster for the BBC's remake of The Day of The Triffids. I personally think it is a bit of a poor poster design, but I am looking forward to seeing the show.

I do like the poster for AMC's The Prisoner series. Jim Caviezel is Number 6 and Ian McKellan is Number 2.

Source: io9

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Eddie Izzard & Jason Priestly in Day of the Triffids

Comedian Eddie Izzard and veteran actor Vanessa Redgrave are to star in BBC1's new adaptation of the sci-fi novel The Day of the Triffids.

In an all-star cast, they will be joined by Dougray Scott, Joely Richardson, Brian Cox, and Jason Priestley.

The two-part drama, which is due to air later this year, has been written by Patrick Harbinson, whose credits include the US series ER and Law & Order.

BBC1's new adaptation, which is currently in production, is based on John Wyndham's best-selling post-apocalyptic novel, first published in 1951.

Set in the near future, the drama tells the story of the search for an alternative fuel supply leading to the discovery of the triffid, a plant cultivated for its fuel but which seems to have a life of its own.

When spectators gather worldwide for an anticipated solar storm, billions are left blinded and the few sighted survivors watch as society collapses into chaos. The triffids find their way out of captivity and, free to roam the planet and with a fatal sting and a taste for human flesh, begin to rapidly start breeding.

Scott, whose credits include Mission Impossible II, will star as Dr Bill Masen, who leads the battle against the triffids. Nip/Tuck actor Richardson will appear as Jo Playton; Brian Cox, whose credits include the first two Bourne movies, will take on the role of Dennis Masen; Redgrave, who will soon be seen in the new Robin Hood movie Nottingham, will appear as Durrant; Izzard, who starred in The Riches, will take on Torrence; and Jason Priestley, who appeared in the original Beverley Hills 90210, will star as Coker.

The show is a co-production between Power, the independent producer behind The Devil's Whore, and Canadian company Prodigy Pictures.

Julie Gardner, the head of drama at BBC Wales and an executive producer of the show, said: "The incredible cast lined-up for The Day of the Triffids is testament to the quality of Patrick Harbinson's script. We hope audiences, both old and new, will be captivated by this modern take of John Wyndham's classic best-selling novel."

Justin Bodle, executive producer for Power, said the "amazing effects and iconic locations" would will deliver the "drama mini-series event of 2009".

Filming is due to take place in south-east England until April. The drama is being produced by Stephen Smallwood, whose credits include Murphy's Law, with The Summit's Nick Copus directing. Jay Firestone will also executive produce for Prodigy Pictures.

The Day of the Triffids was first adapted by BBC Radio in 1953 and then again in 1957 and 1968, with a BBC television production in 1981, starring John Duttine as Bill Masen. In 2001, writer Lance Dann adapted the series for two hour-long episodes for the BBC World Service.

Source: Guardian

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The Last Mimzy, 2007. DVD Review

Director: Bob Shaye
Starring: Rhiannon Leigh Wryn, Chris O'Neil, Timothy Hutton, Joely Richardson, Rainn Wilson, Michael Clarke Duncan, Patrick Gilmore
Running Time: 96 minutes

Score: 7/10

I watched this the other week with my wife (C) and son (D) during one of our semi-regular family movie nights. The popcorn was popped and we sat down to watch the film that none of us knew much about (not sure if that last sentence makes much sense, but I hope you know what I mean).

It starts off in the distant future where a teacher tells her class the story of how the World was saved. Turns out mankind's DNA had been dangerously effected by pollution resulting in the possible extinction of the race. Therefore, they sent Mimzy's (nanotechnology disguised as toys) back in time to get some pure DNA so they could rewrite the sequence and get rid of the bad mutations. We then skip back to the present day and the effects the last Mimzy has on the children who find it.

The kids in question Noah (Chris O'Neil) and Emma (Rhiannon Leigh) discover a box on the beach containing some weird rocks and a cuddly rabbit called Mimzy. The toy rabbit apparantly speaks to Emma telling her how to use the rocks and other items they find. Through the use of them the kids intelligence increases and they develop powers of telekinesis, teleportation, levitation, controlling spiders and other psychic abilities. Needless to say this rocks their world and disturbs their parents, David and Jo (Timothy Hutton and Joely Richardson), who aren't sure what to do with them. One of the toys that Noah builds results in a city wide black-out that brings in the FBI led by the hulking figure of Michael Clarke Duncan.

The family are brought in for questioning and tests and then the race is on to escape and get the Mimzy back to the future.

As this brief synopsis shows this is a family film that deals with some big grown up ideas (nanotech, time travel, psychic abilities, diamond bridges spanning galaxies, etc) and it does it rather well. D is 9 years old and he understood everything that was going on and all the concepts involved (mind you he did explain to me the time discrepency experienced when travelling at light speed while we were watching Forbidden Planet so he has that kind of viewpoint for science fiction movies - yes I am immensely proud of him). Plus it has some good levels of suspense once the FBI get involved and the kids try to get away. Regarding Michael Clarke Duncan's character as the FBI Special Agent Nathaniel Broadman is all seriousness and threats when with the kids but we are shown him previously with his wife being all nervous and joking when he realised the enourmity of the situation before him. A nice touch which brought some humanity to what could have been a standard government bad guy.

The child actors are pretty good and don't have any of that cloying all American get up and go that kid actors often have. Instead you go along with their journey as they develop their new powers and abilities. At one point both me and C wondered what way the story was going to take as it could have easily switched to a tale of the kids being totally taken over by the future tech and have become a bit of a Sci-Fi chiller. Being a kids movie it didn't go that way but the slightly ambiguous development of the powers added a bit more depth to the proceedings.

The visual effects were well done and fitted in nicely with the story. The teleportation grid or web that Noah sees was particularly good and well implemented.

The general feel of the movie was kind of a cross between War Games and ET (spookily enough, when the movie finished War Games was just finishing on Film 4) and was enjoyed by all of us. Recommended to anyone who wants a good film that will appeal to child and adult alike.