UK Timeline : War Of The Worlds

Originally Posted by Mr K

It's a shame people try and see 'agendas', particularly if the BBC are involved. HG Wells was a socialist, so if there is anything, it's just reflecting the author.

Finally made a start on my Blake's 7 boxset (3 episodes down, 49 to go, never seen Mrs K look more depressed ). No doubt that would be dismissed as lefty socialist claptrap these days, with freedom fighters against the system. In 1978 it was just entertainment with wobbly sets as a bonus, nobody asked or looked for anything more.

On the contrary - Blake’s 7 makes useful observations about the logical end point of a totalitarian regime propped up by high technology (and then, like Wells, postulates that an alien invasion, by someone all the more powerful, renders oppressor and oppressed alike, all but impotent ... sorry, season 2 spoiler). The difference between Blake’s 7 and the present adaptation of WOTW is that Blake’s 7 for the most part just shows you the evil, especially in its earlier episodes, before Servalan was allowed to become a pantomime evil queen, and while they had the benefit of the more measured portrayal of Travis by Stephen Grief. The production team on WOTW have tilted towards leaden dialogue and over-cooked looks of horror/sympathy to underscore the political message. They could have been a lot more subtle, but subtle exposition of social and political topics is not a hallmark of British tv drama at the moment, sadly.

I gave it a pass. I've seen too many attempts at the story and I'd rather just read the book now.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by Chris

On the contrary - Blake’s 7 makes useful observations about the logical end point of a totalitarian regime propped up by high technology (and then, like Wells, postulates that an alien invasion, by someone all the more powerful, renders oppressor and oppressed alike, all but impotent ... sorry, season 2 spoiler). The difference between Blake’s 7 and the present adaptation of WOTW is that Blake’s 7 for the most part just shows you the evil, especially in its earlier episodes, before Servalan was allowed to become a pantomime evil queen, and while they had the benefit of the more measured portrayal of Travis by Stephen Grief. The production team on WOTW have tilted towards leaden dialogue and over-cooked looks of horror/sympathy to underscore the political message. They could have been a lot more subtle, but subtle exposition of social and political topics is not a hallmark of British tv drama at the moment, sadly.

See? You've looked into it far too much for sub texts. It's just entertainment. I love it for the costumes; the blond woman looks likes she's stepped straight out of Abba , in her high heeled boots, and keeps tripping up over the sets

Well that was disappointing. I have no idea what they thought they were doing with last night’s episode. They span about 15 minutes of story into 60 minutes, the CGI was ropey and I’m almost certain there were still FX missing.

Having looked forward to this ever since it was announced (two years ago I think?) ... disappointing.

[Pierre]

It was totally pants, the whole thing was a lesson on how screw up an adaptation of a classic story.

I don't think anyone has managed to do it justice ever. The definitive version remains the musical version!

Episode 1 was slow, and just seemed to be a outlet to show how pretty the lead actress could look (if you like redheads).

Episode 2 the tripods where actually quite good, I liked the way they moved. There was no further explanation of why the smoke killed them. No Thunderchild. Artilleryman Superfluous.

Episode 3 not just Ep3 but the time jumping forward and back didn't do anything to enhance the story. The aliens didn't look good.

it was just not good, I think budget constraints may have affected it.

I did warn you

Originally Posted by Paul

I wouldnt get your hopes up too much, it really wasnt that good tbh.

https://newsthump.com/2019/12/02/hg-...GB77PBg3MfqhbM

[richard s]

Beats DR Poo...

[Pierre]

Been watching another version on Fox.......it’s not really “War of the Worlds” I.e tripods and all that. It’s more like Survivors.

It’s bleak. Slow moving. Set in the U.K. & France. (Anglo/French production)

But I’ve found it strangely compulsive. I’m up to Ep 6. I don’t think it’s for everyone but I’m enjoying it so far.

[jfman]

It’s bleak. Slow moving. Set in the U.K. & France. (Anglo/French production)

Sounds like Brexit negotiations

Is it available here anywhere?

Originally Posted by Pierre

Been watching another version on Fox.......it’s not really “War of the Worlds” I.e tripods and all that. It’s more like Survivors.

It’s bleak. Slow moving. Set in the U.K. & France. (Anglo/French production)

But I’ve found it strangely compulsive. I’m up to Ep 6. I don’t think it’s for everyone but I’m enjoying it so far.

Yeah, I have watched that, it ends on a bit of a strange note, but there is a second season coming, at some point.

---------- Post added at 22:27 ---------- Previous post was at 22:24 ----------

Originally Posted by jfman

Is it available here anywhere?

Its available from the 'usual sources'


(Or did you mean legally available )

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Pierre

Been watching another version on Fox.......it’s not really “War of the Worlds” I.e tripods and all that. It’s more like Survivors.

It’s bleak. Slow moving. Set in the U.K. & France. (Anglo/French production)

But I’ve found it strangely compulsive. I’m up to Ep 6. I don’t think it’s for everyone but I’m enjoying it so far.

I've only just come across this and am halfway through the 1st series. Yep it's certainly plodding which I find only works when there's a really good pay-off at the end of the season so fingers crossed.

It certainly is unexpectedly compelling, normally I'd given up by now on something which is so obviously a slow-burner.

The second season is out (first few episodes) but so far I've only managed to find them with hard coded Dutch subtitles.

[1701-e]

Originally Posted by Paul

The second season is out (first few episodes) but so far I've only managed to find them with hard coded Dutch subtitles.

With S1 now on Disney plus it shouldn't be too long before S2 appears