Round we go again

[selenak]

Yesterday, one of our public broadcasting channels here in Germany started to show the new tv series Around the World in 80 Days, starring David Tennant as Phileas Fogg, Ibrahim Koma as Passepartout and Leonie Benesch as Abigail Fix (who in addition to being a woman here isn't a detective set on arresting Fogg for suspecting him as a bank robber, but, taking a note from rl person Nellie Bly, a journalist determined to make her name with this journey), and if you have digital access, you can watch it in the original English version in the ZDF Mediathek - all episodes are up there already. I'm three episodes in and so far, I think it's absolutely delightful. It's a retelling that keeps solely the broad outlines from Verne's novel, but then, that's true for all versions which I've seen, and I really like all the things particular to this version for now. There is still the fun of hair raising getaways and figuring out alternative incredible routes when the original plan gets an impediment, but there are way less national stereotypes, and a current day look at the circumstances. (And a good thing, too, given that "club" these days associates "Bullingdon" and revolting Tories galore.) The last episode I watched, No.3, had Lindsay Duncan guest starring and being awesome, and I think of this series as an additional Christmas gift for me now.

Meanwhile, if there's a topic you want me to post about in January, tell me so here, there are still a lot of free spots.

Comments

[chelseagirl]

I have a book at home, which I have not gotten around to reading yet, about how Nelly Bly set out to beat Fogg's fictional record IRL, and succeeded.

[felis]

Oh, thanks for the tip! I had this on my radar for the future, but sure didn't expect it to show up on TV so soon!

[redfiona99]

I think Jules Verne gets the Dumas "vague general gist" treatment, but they do give great outlines

[kore]

Ooh, this sounds fun. I also have that book about Nellie Bly I think....

[avrelia]

That sounds like a really fun adaptation! I have to say, so far my favorite was an old cartoon series one, which I also shown to my kids and they loved it, too