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Topic: Day of the Triffids 4x400ft colour version?
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Barry Attwood
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1411
From: Enfield, U.K.
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted October 16, 2007 02:52 AM
I can confirm there were the following versions of "The Day of the Triffids" as I have either owned them or had them through my hands at some point. 7x400' F/L (very rare) Colour Sound,
4x400' Colour Sound Scope & Flat (panned & scanned) also a 4x400' B/W version (rarer than the colour prints). Plus of course the 400' version and a couple of 200' extracts. The colour on all was of the Brownish kind even on new prints, so if you find a print today that looks that way it is probably no worse than when first released. It's a fascinating story about how the final cinema cut arrived, as the Kieron Moore lighthouse scenes were not in the original script, they had a test screening of a cut that featured only the other characters (Howard Keel etc.) and it was not a success, and there was no way they were going to scrap a John Wyndham based story, or the exspense of hiring Howard Keel, so the Lighthouse segments were dreamnt up to put more heightened tension into the film, and I believe these were filmed about 4-5 months after the initial production rapped, and the whole film was re-edited, and released. I know that the book is far superior, but I must admit I kinda like this disjointed film, it shouldn't really work, but it's enjoyable all the same, and it's nice to see Howard Keel in a non musical for a change, as he was (in my opinion) a much better actor than he was ever credited for.
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Rob Young.
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1633
From: Cheshire, U.K.
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted October 16, 2007 12:57 PM
Thanks for all that info everyone!
Yes, John, sad is the word... ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
I just loved this movie as a kid so have a real affection for it! I found the novel hard work to be honest, Wyndham can be quite wordy I think, and whilst a lot of his novels have great themes and brilliant scenarios, I find them difficult to get through sometimes. Just my humble opinion as I know he is generally regarded as a sci-fi genre genius!!! But yes, the BBC series is a great transition from novel to TV drama and I've enjoyed it several times ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
But back on the subject of 8mm...WOW...a full length version...I want THAT!
My original 400ft version which I have owned since I was about 10 years old looks pretty good with nice colours; lots of rich blues and oranges in those opening meteorite scenes so I was hoping that longer versions would be of similar quality, but if that's not to be then I'll bet they are still better than the DVD version of the movie which looks ok colour-wise on a TV screen but is horribly soft when projected (plus the sound is out of sync for a lot of it). Digital technology, eh?
Anyway, all that advice has given me lots of versions to look out for in the future! Thanks!
Barry, you're right about the added lighthouse scenes. It's my understanding that these were actually directed by an uncredited Freddie Francis of Hammer Horror notoriety. Pity he didn't handle the rest of it really.
Apparently, Howard Keel hated the script so much he would re-write his lines on a daily basis. Maybe that's why he ends almost every line with the expression, "hmmph!" Just watch the movie again and you'll see what I mean!!!
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