Felix's Gaming Pages Blog

Coming to the BBC in 2010 will be a new adaptation of HG Wells’ The First Men In The Moon.

Mark Gatiss is to star in his own adaptation of HG Wells’ thrilling scientific romance The First Men In The Moon alongside Rory Kinnear, in a one-off 90-minute drama for BBC Four.

It’s July 1969 and, as the world waits with baited breath for news of the Apollo 11 astronauts, a young boy meets 90-year-old Julius Bedford (Rory Kinnear) who tells an extraordinary story of two men’s journey to the Moon, way back in 1909.

As a young man, Bedford chances to meet Professor Cavor (Mark Gatiss), a somewhat unworldly scientist with an amazing invention: Cavorite – anything to which it is applied becomes opaque to the force of gravity. Knowing a miracle when he sees one, and with a keen eye on profit, Bedford encourages Cavor to think big. And so the two men construct a copper and cast-iron sphere which will fly them to the Moon. But what terrors await them in the lunar interior? And will they ever succeed in returning to Earth?

Sounds good and hopefully with modern effects will look good too. Having said that I have always enjoyed the 1964 version of First Men In The Moon with Lionel Jeffries and Edward Judd.

Tonight (and part two tomorrow night) sees the new interpretation of The Day of the Triffids. I mentioned this back in November 2008 and quoted the BBC back then saying:

The drama, about menacing plants taking over the world, will be shown in two feature-length episodes next year.

Well, here we are in the final week of “next year” and the drama is on this week!

I think that there is quite a bit of gaming potential with The Day Of The Triffids, small groups of survivors trying to get past hordes of triffids. Even groups of survivors fighting each other over food caches.

Might try and think of some rules and look for models.

Yay, the BBC’s Survivors is coming back in January 2010 for a second season.

Survivors by Adrian Hodges returns to BBC One for a second series in January 2010 picking up moments after the thrilling cliff-hanger to season one.

Abby (Julie Graham) and her mismatched family of Survivors are in disarray, now struggling not just with the difficulties of day-to-day life amidst the ruins of the post-virus apocalypse, but also with the threat of other emerging communities and the machinations of the sinister Lab.

I have been enjoying the The Day Of The Triffids on BBC Four. This is the original 1981 BBC version, though a new BBC version is coming soon.

I think that there is quite a bit of gaming potential with The Day Of The Triffids, small groups of survivors trying to get past hordes of triffids. Even groups of survivors fighting each other over food caches.

Might try and think of some rules and look for models.

I really enjoyed BBC’s Merlin, but I can now get it on DVD.

Merlin Vol.1 [2008]

Merlin Vol.2 [2008]

Well Volume 1 is available now, Volume 2 in the next few weeks.

I know some think it was a bit “silly” and not very true to the legends of Arthur and Merlin, however my view was that the series wasn’t trying to do that it was much more about being an enjoyable TV series rather than an accurate version of the mythical legends of Arthur.

Tonight sees the final episode of Merlin, the BBC fantasy series on its reinvention of Merlin the Wizard from British mythology.

I was intrigued by Merlin from day one, and ever since the series started.

Really looking forward to the final episode tonight. Also hoping there will be a second series too.

BBC reports on the return of the Triffids.

A new television adaptation of classic sci-fi story The Day of The Triffids is being made by the BBC.

The drama, about menacing plants taking over the world, will be shown in two feature-length episodes next year.

I really enjoyed the 1981 series and am looking forward to this new interpretation.

Tonight I watched episode five of Merlin from the BBC. I am really enjoying this series and I think the concept behind the young Merlin is a very clever idea.

It’s not trying to be pretentious as ITV’s Robin of Sherwood back in the 1980s often was. It is quite similar to the BBC’s recent interpretation of Robin Hood.

Looking forward to seeing how the series pans out.

I have mentioned Merlin before and I have now watched the first two episodes and I am quite enjoying it.

As I suspected it is similar to Robin Hood in style, a modern approach with humour. This works for me and I suspect others as well.

With the (very short) Merlin teaser after the last episode of Doctor Who, the BBC have announced further details about the new series.

Merlin is a thrilling fantasy drama set to enchant family audiences in a brand new 13-part series on BBC One this September.

Every Saturday night audiences are destined to experience a series of magical adventures, as they follow the unlikely friendship of a would-be wizard (Merlin) and the future King (Prince Arthur).

The drama brings together a cast of acclaimed British actors (Richard Wilson as Gaius, Anthony Head as King Uther Pendragon) as well as exciting new faces.

Colin Morgan is the young wizard Merlin, Bradley James is the arrogant but brave Prince Arthur, rising star Angel Coulby is Guinevere and newcomer Katie McGrath is Morgana.

Multi-award-winning actor John Hurt has just been cast as the Voice of the Great Dragon. Enigmatic and powerful, he alone knows Merlin’s true destiny.

Read the full press release.

Sounds very interesting, and as The Mill are in charge of special effects (they do most of the SFX on Doctor Who) it should look fantastic.

Looking forward to it.