The Day of the Triffids

[MovieDudeToo]

I've just recorded this film but it is not the one I remember. I recall that the 'Triffids' were just like Pitcher plants with a central appendage with which they could sting (or blind?) people. They were rendered harmless when this appendage was cut off. Another thing I recall is that the film I saw ended on the Isle of Wight (or another island maybe). Am I confusing this film with the TV series or was there another 'Triffid' film out there somewhere?

[Gerald Lovell]

There are stand-alone island sequences in the film; stand-alone because they were filmed later by Freddie Francis to bring the film up to length, and featuring Kieron Moore and Janette Scott. There were later television series in 1981 and 2009.

[MovieDudeToo]

Ah! I see. Thanks for that Gerald. I thought the Island (Lighthouse) sequence didn't quite seem to fit the story-line. It certainly seemed to be 'tacked on'. But my memory is quite clear about the 'Triffids' being Pitcher plants. Other things which come to mind are 'A sighted person watching two 'blind' people fighting over a tin of food (which was actually a tin of paint) & Someone who made a small wind-mill which clattered away noisily distracting the Triffids for some reason which I forget.

Perhaps it is the TV series what I recall and not a film at all.

Thanks Again

[GRAEME]

I've just recorded this film but it is not the one I remember. I recall that the 'Triffids' were just like Pitcher plants with a central appendage with which they could sting (or blind?) people. They were rendered harmless when this appendage was cut off. Another thing I recall is that the film I saw ended on the Isle of Wight (or another island maybe). Am I confusing this film with the TV series or was there another 'Triffid' film out there somewhere?

Gerald is confusing your reference to the Isle of Wight with the Janet Scott lighthouse sequences in the film version.

The one that ends on the island is the 1981 TV series which is much closer to the book.

[MovieDudeToo]

Thanks GRAEME. I'm a little less confused now. I'll have to look into finding this TV Series on DVD perhaps.

[Nick Dando]

This will be the one that you want. It's the truest to the spirit of the book out of all the adaptations, both TV and film.

The Day Of The Triffids DVD - Compare Prices and Read Reviews at Find-DVD.co.uk

Nick

[Richard_in_wales]

The older TV series was good but to be honest I don't think there has been a version yet that has done justice to the book, always in a rush to finish it seems and never really deliver the atmosphere the books gives.

[MovieDudeToo]

Thanks Nick. That is an excellent DVD website and 'The Day Of The Triffids' (1981) DVD for less than 4 quid?. Gotta be a bargain!

I agree with you Richard. At least about the film. It was poor at best. Not what I expected from a John Wyndham story. Poor directing, poor quality film-stock which has not stood the test of time, poor graphics, and poor camera work. One to avoid I think.

Saying that; I did spot a few well known extras including George Hilsden, Joe Wadham and Anthony Lang. I asume the TV series will be just as productive and make a nice little addition to my database.

[wadey]

No I agree with MovieDude that it wasn't the film I was expecting, was there a black and white film ?

[wadey]

THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS


STARRING: Howard Keel, Nicole Maurey, Janette Scott, Kieron Moore, Mervyn Johns, Janina Faye, Alison Leggatt, Ewan Roberts, Colette Wilde

1963, 95 Minutes, Directed by: Steve Sekely, Freddie Francis

This perhaps ?

[MovieDudeToo]

No No Wadey! That one 'IS' the poor quality film, not in black and white though. I don't think that there is another Triffids film out there apart from the 1963 version.
The one I quoted from 1981 is the TV Series which is probably what I remember. At least 'I hope it is'

[Richard_in_wales]

John Duttine is good in the 1981 series. He's a fine actor who is perhaps underrated these days? Emma Relph did a good job but turned her back on acting; dances with Unicorns no less these days

Emma Relph - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Nick Dando]

The only other version I know of is the recent BBC version with Eddie Izzard. It had its moments.

The Day of the Triffids (TV mini-series 2009) - IMDb


And it would appear that another version is in the offing.

The Day of the Triffids (2013) - IMDb

[pelam123]

I agree about the extremely poor quality of the film in technical terms. The print is blurred and scratchy and the colour very poor, both muddy and washed out. They must have had the work experience boy doing it at Rank Labs on that job. This must be a candidate for some major digital re-mastering and grading. They can do miracles with even the oldest stock.

[Rick C]

the 1963 black/white version is currently one of the BBC's 'movies of the week' archived on the Films section of the BBC i-player.
Only a few days left to run however.

[GRAEME]

the 1963 black/white version is currently one of the BBC's 'movies of the week' archived on the Films section of the BBC i-player.
Only a few days left to run however.

The 1963 film is in colour.

[Rick C]

Oh, ok thanks. Just that the BBC still from advertising the i-player thingy is a black and white version. Maybe that's to make it look a bit more creepy!

[wadey]

Had a word with Lynn and we think the film was B&W, a man is having his bandages removed following an eye operation and realises his sight has been saved but everybody else is blind, sorry but that's all we can offer

[GRAEME]

Had a word with Lynn and we think the film was B&W, a man is having his bandages removed following an eye operation and realises his sight has been saved but everybody else is blind, sorry but that's all we can offer

That is The Day of the Triffids - but I can assure you the film was made in colour!

Dayofthetriffids.jpg

[markrgv]

As Graeme says - the film was in colour - albeit a now very washed out colour! I take it the original prints were better quality, and have degraded over the years and this is now the best possible.

No doubt it could be remastered - but can't see anyone running to that expense for a low-budget UK film - which is a shame, (and i seem to be in the minority on here) as i like the film and find it an enjoyable eerie watch.