The HitchHiker's Guide to the Galaxy [Archive]

Foxxx

30-01-2004, 13:07

Not being funny, but Ford Prefect isn't coloured. No offense to Mos Def. Have hollywood read the book, have they read the descriptions of the characters? Films do this all the time. Well maybe it will work. It's just that I tend to build up images in my head of what characters look like, so it will seem strange. Don't take any of this the wrong way.

Mosherchik

30-01-2004, 13:49

Originally posted by Lickable
Maybe we could all go to the premiere together to rip it apart!

I like the sound of that! They best have the book sequences in!
I can just see it being awful and disenchanting tho! When you think how long the series was and theyre gonna try and cram it all into a glossy Hollywood, tits n teeth, miscast feature film!
gonna calm down now... bring the valium! :wink:
xxx

Fairydreams

30-01-2004, 14:03

Apparently Douglas Adams adapted the script for film, but since he died they've hired someone else to re-write it. Not sure that was a good idea.

Deavon

26-04-2005, 11:03

The movie is nearly here, and the website is definately worth a look for the introduction alone:

http://www.thefilmfactory.co.uk/hitchhikers/global/index.html?countryID=&section=&datastr=&

Yes I feel compelled to log on every day and tell people I neither know nor care about, what I had for breakfast!

JoyfulGrrl

26-04-2005, 11:31

Thanks, Deavon! That was a great way to while away my lunchtime!!!

I love the secrets to find, and hey - free tickets to the preview at UCG tomorrow 6 p.m. isn't bad either!! I'm working so can't go. But thought others might be interested - you need to print off the flyer on the website and take it to UCG to get two free tickets by end of today!!! Go!!!!!

Cols

26-04-2005, 18:06

Also a new radio series on Radio 4 next week. Tuesday 6:30pm, the first in a series of 8.

evildrneil

26-04-2005, 18:15

Originally posted by JoyfulGrrl
Thanks, Deavon! That was a great way to while away my lunchtime!!!

I love the secrets to find, and hey - free tickets to the preview at UCG tomorrow 6 p.m. isn't bad either!! I'm working so can't go. But thought others might be interested - you need to print off the flyer on the website and take it to UCG to get two free tickets by end of today!!! Go!!!!!

They are out of tickets now :( But are opening up another screen tomorrow to be filled on a first come first served style...

Deavon

26-04-2005, 23:51

I actually wasn't that fussed about this new film, but now I've seen a few ads and been to the website, I must admit I'm actually looking forward to seeing it! I've even dug out my copy of 'The Restaurant at the End of the Universe' and begun to re-read it.

Will be hoping to catch the new radio show as well.

Have even managed to persuade my partner to come and see the movie with me! (Not a science fiction fan, but there's still hope of a conversion).

alchemist

27-04-2005, 05:56

the question that has been in my mind for weeks now is, will they be using Journey of the Sorcerer as the title music in the film, i know they have used excerpts of it in the tv ads but that dont meant owt!!

dave

noseyrosie

27-04-2005, 12:19

I'm going to the press screening Sunday morning in the premier screen. Armchairs for me!

alchemist

27-04-2005, 13:07

isnt that a bit late for a press screening, i thought they were before the release not after?

dave

noseyrosie

27-04-2005, 22:58

Originally posted by alchemist
isnt that a bit late for a press screening, i thought they were before the release not after?

dave

I always thought that too...it's weird isn't it though - the press nights for plays at the Crucible are always about 3 days after the first night, so they can get it up to scratch, apparently. DUnno why late for the cinema though, am going with the editor of the yorkshire post/ex editor of the Star, my friends dad. It's quite useful for free tickets to things!

jgharston

28-04-2005, 09:17

Originally posted by alchemist
will they be using Journey of the Sorcerer as the title music
I thought it was Journey to the Sorcerer. Like "we're off to see the wizard" :). Must have been a typo in the docs I picked it up from.

--
JGH

raskel

28-04-2005, 09:19

I never really saw the fuss about this film and still don't!
the trailor was far to long at the cinema aswell! :loopy:

alchemist

28-04-2005, 12:37

heres the album it came from

http://www.geocities.com/missholly81/nights.htm#4

dave

Andy78

28-04-2005, 19:46

OK, has anyone seen it yet? Can you give us a review? I've been reading some very contrasting reviews in the press.

emmwalker

29-04-2005, 11:25

saw it last night and thought it was great. casting of stephen fry as the narrator of the guide is genius (as was most of the casting) and the soundtrack is amazing. the special effects were good but not too much, and the jim henson puupets were as wonderful as ever.
i have read all of adams books a number of times (although not too recently) but never saw the tv series or listened to the radio version. there were some folk (as expected!) who came out complaing about what had been changed/ cut etc but still definately worth a view.

Swan_Vesta

29-04-2005, 11:35

I saw it last night and was well impressed, I was pleased that it stayed quite faithfull to the book but didn't feel that the added bits detracted from it at all. Everyone I went with also had good things to say as well. My favorite was Marvin and also the crazed title sequences ...... completely hoopy!

alchemist

29-04-2005, 13:08

but was the music the real music? or did they write some garbage for it?

dave

tslogf74

29-04-2005, 20:14

So has anyone seen the film yet? I saw it today.

Nothing wrong with the cast, not sure about the pacing of the story or the lack of any of the subtle humour from the original scripts.

LordChaverly

29-04-2005, 20:38

saw it today. I probably have a different perspective on it to most people who are keen to see it though, in that I have no prior knowledge of the radio or TV series, or the book.

Basically, I didn't like it: its much to whimsical for my taste. I agree with the previous poster also that it lacks subtlety and pace. I can see however how fans of this kind of thing might like it though, so don't let my own negative reaction put you off.

tslogf74

29-04-2005, 20:42

I think because I was such a fan of the story I was doomed not to like it, not because I hate to see it tampered with (each adaptation is different and I like some of the new stuff) but just because the TV series was 3 hours long, and needed at least that amount of time to unfold properly. Even if they'd have focussed more on less of the story I suppose I wouldn't have been satisfied.

robbie

29-04-2005, 20:56

I'm vary wary of seeing this. The tv series was a step back from the radio show, which in turn was a back step from the book.

It looks daft and with Mos Def in it:confused:

daverambo

30-04-2005, 07:58

Having not read the books, Ithought it was quite an entertaining film. Although it took me a little while to tune in to the humour. I imagine it would be more enjoyable on a second viewing. It wasn't amazing or anything, just an enjoyable entertaining flick that made me laugh in places.

So whilst maybe not the brilliance everyone was expecting it was still a good film.

Grissom

30-04-2005, 15:31

Thought it was OK myself - loved the little things like the voice of the door, cameo appearance of Marvin from the TV series [which incidentally is being repeated from Tuesday at 11.20 on BBC2 :thumbsup: ] etc.

alchemist

02-05-2005, 06:05

Originally posted by robbie
I'm vary wary of seeing this. The tv series was a step back from the radio show, which in turn was a back step from the book.

whilst i agree witht the sentiment of your post i feel i must get the order correct, the order of publication/release was

radio series 1977
first of five books 1979
tv series 1981
film 2005

dave

btw, im not so sure about the film, will have to watch it a couple of more times to get used to it

Albatross

02-05-2005, 06:41

I mean here am I brain as big as a planet and all you can do is ask me about a film.
Went to see it yesterday brill loved it.
:clap: :banana: :banana: :banana: :clap:
:loopy: :lol: :loopy:

JoeP

02-05-2005, 08:32

Hi all,

As was pointed out, the radio series came first followed by the books. I remember listening to the radio series, must have been '79? It was 'appointment radio' for the student flat in which I lived.

One guy had a really good stereo (he lived on potatoes for the rest of the year) and we would gather to listen.

Anyway...just seen some clips from it and I'm terribly depressed. Best thing that could have happened was for the film crew to have been made a meal of by the Bug-Blatter Beast of Traal, or subjected to first a Vogon Poetry reading and the being buried under the slush pile from the publishing houses of Ursa Minor.

Or maybe I'm being unduly harsh - but Marvin....ffs....he looks like a ping pong ball on legs!

Joe :)

StarSparkle

02-05-2005, 11:43

This new film sounds to me like the contents of the Great Green Arkleseizure's hankerchief :gag: :lol:

StarSparkle

LordSnooty

02-05-2005, 13:02

One guy had a really good stereo (he lived on potatoes for the rest of the year) and we would gather to listen.

I knew a chap at college who blew his grant on a Fender Stratocaster and lived on porridge for a term. As a direct result, he came down with scurvy! I myself recently bought a Martin acoustic for £!!!! and compensated by eating fishpaste sandwiches for six months. This is before I came into my peerage, you understand....

DanSumption

02-05-2005, 19:04

Mods: shouldn't this thread be merged with this one (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30482)?

I've not seen the film yet but, having been looking forward to it for over a year, I'm still intending to go at some point but not really excited about it any more. From everything I've read about it (and from the very first pre-Stephen Fry trailer with the awful American voice-over) it seems that the film-makers have pretty comprehensively missed the point.

I don't agree that Ford Prefect can't be black though: I don't remember anywhere in the radio series/books/whatever where it said this, and I think Mos Def suits Ford's character although from what I've read he doesn't get to do much in the film. Besides, I've heard that these days they even let white guys play Othello.

super_pie

02-05-2005, 19:38

I really wanted to like this, I really did. I went in with an open mind, every version has been a little different to the last and nothing can be said to be definitive (the radio plays, the book, the computer game, the tv series, the towel, all have told the story a little differently). But I’m afraid it was rubbish. Too many ideas watered down, to many really good jokes only half told (I can’t work out why you’d include setup lines from the book, without including their punch lines?).

I know Douglas wrote the screenplay (which went on to have a few rewrite’s after his death), and I can’t help but feel people got cold feet, feeling that the audience wouldn’t get some of the more wordy jokes, so overdid the more slapstick elements of the story. It felt too much like ‘Carry On” in space when it should be ‘Monty Python’ in space. I could go on all day but this is neither the time nor the place (although I know time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.).

Onto happier things......The last radio series (the tertiary phase) was excellent (as good as it’s ever been) and the final two series (the quandary and quintessential phases) start this Tuesday. Please if you want to know what the Hitchhikers guide is all about then listen (then read the books, the trilogy in five parts).

You can listen again to the new series at the bbc here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/hitchhikers/newseries.shtml). PM and I’ll tell you how to listen to the earlier series.

Although I loved the opening song from the movie ‘So long and thanks for all the fish’ (just bought the album for that one track)

Please note: Despite the above rant, I am not MJ Simpson

DanSumption

02-05-2005, 20:34

Originally posted by super_pie
Please note: Despite the above rant, I am not MJ Simpson
:) It was MJ Simpson's rant above everything else which made me realise I am not going to enjoy this film very much. Such a shame that he got so much stick over expressing what seemed to me a perfectly valid, well thought out opinion.

Sal22

02-05-2005, 20:56

i went to see it the other day as a newcomer to the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. I thought it was great and Martin freeman was fantastic.
One thing that was really irrittating though. The woman sitting next to me obviously knew the books/radio/tv serises very well and kept saying the lines before the cast did.

coley

03-05-2005, 13:34

I went to see it yesterday and as a long time fan of the books was expecting to be a bit disappointed but I loved it. Yes the story was a bit mangled and there were lovely bits of Douglas Adams wit not in there but all in all better than anything else I could have seen yesterday!

There was one bit that totally made me laugh aloud..involving wool but I'll not give anything away. Also the bit at the very end of the credits was good but there were only 10 people left in there to see it!

jgharston

03-05-2005, 21:50

I'm watching the TV series on BBC2 right now.

Barman: Here you are, six pints.
Ford: Thanks. Keep the change.
Barman: From a fiver? Thanks!

Me: Cough, splutter, gurgle!!!! :) :)

--
JGH

Deavon

03-05-2005, 22:01

Been to see the movie tonight and now watching the old TV series as well!

Yes there was a time when a fiver was more than just lose change! In the film, he hands over a £50 note.

The movie was so fast paced, but I liked it. It's a different style of story altogether. Not enough of the Guide in my opinion (the Babel fish is reduced to few lines), but it may be the start of a franchise and there is plenty of room to add more of the Guide classics in later.

Absolutely loved the 'So long and thanks for all the fish.' musical number.

soupy

07-05-2005, 09:06

Ive just been to see the film and I didnt like much I have read all the books listened to the radio shows and seen the tv series.

Some good points I thought Zaphod was played well by Sam Rockwell not sure about the rest of the cast though. Did have some good bits and I will go see restaurant at the end of the Universe if they make it, but on a whole I was dissapointed.

Did anyone else think the Vogon's and the bulding's/ships looked very monty pyton'ish dark forbodding grubby things. Probably just me
:)

Gordie OS1

09-05-2005, 17:37

as a film i thought it was fantastic.
Far too many people are saying "oh it wasn't like that in the book, or the radio show, or the tv show"

if you have 4 renderings of the same idea in different mediums they are all going to be different.
I'm not saying one is better than the other but you should enjoy them for what they are not what you remember from that last version you saw/read/heard

DanSumption

09-05-2005, 18:36

Originally posted by Gordie OS1
as a film i thought it was fantastic.
Far too many people are saying "oh it wasn't like that in the book, or the radio show, or the tv show"

if you have 4 renderings of the same idea in different mediums they are all going to be different.
I'm not saying one is better than the other but you should enjoy them for what they are not what you remember from that last version you saw/read/heard
People I respect haven't been saying "it wasn't like that in the book, or the radio show, or the tv show", rather "it has no understanding of the book/radio show".

The worst example of this, which I have heard from several quarters, is that it includes set-up lines for a number of the original jokes, but then cuts out the punchlines, without which the set-ups are pointless and indeed confusing to anyone who isn't familiar with one of the earlier incarnations.

I have no problem with the film being different from earlier versions, indeed every version that Douglas Adams did differed radically from the previous one. What I do have a problem with is the film makers failing to "get" the Hitch Hiker's Guide, trying to produce an Americanised version, and failing to greatly please either the original fans or the Americans.

It all sounds like yet another great failure for creative decision making by comittee. That said, I've still yet to see it, so could yet be proved pleasantly wrong.

Yodameister

09-05-2005, 18:39

I'll probably go and see it at some point, but I really don't think a big screen film will really do it justice and I don't think it is the right medium to present it on.

evildrneil

09-05-2005, 20:21

I went to see it on Sunday and have to say I was profoundly dissapointed. The acting as for the most part wooden, the central theme of the film was a love interest between Arthur and Trillian and there was just no chemistry there at all, the plot was confused and much of the charm and wry wit of the original has been lost. That being said the cameos were fun and the IID was well done too :)

soupy

09-05-2005, 21:35

The worst bit for me was the babel fish it was given only a slight mention and it is intergral part of the first book, it brought down god in a poof of logic.

I liked the cameo's, there wasnt enough of the Hitch Hikers Guide itself for me a lot of the humour of the book is held within the Hitch Hikers Guide references.

my opinion go see the film and form your own.

Phanerothyme

09-05-2005, 21:56

Originally posted by JoePritchard

Or maybe I'm being unduly harsh - but Marvin....ffs....he looks like a ping pong ball on legs!

Joe :)

I'm waiting for the movie on TV, but marvin looks more like the Sirius Cybernetic Corporation 'Plastic Pal who's fun to be with' than the TV version.

I was 11 when the book came out, and never looked back, looked at the world in the same way, and threw away my digital watch.

From what I've heard of the plot resume and script excerpts, some serious compromises were made to accomodate more traditional things such as plot, narrative etc.

Having listened to the radio series many times, I am always struck by how ad hoc the whole thing was with Adams finishing the script in the toilet before broadcast.