Fantastic theme music. I crapped myself when I was 13 watching this in the early 80s. . Despite comments the triffids looked like papier mache gladiola - I actually think they were more real than the computer-generated cartoons in the remake.
@BNCA70 I agree, sometimes actual props are much more convincing than CGI sometimes, although CGI does have some advantages (i.e. it can do things actual props can't) and its disadvantages (i.e., it does look unrealistic).
This was a good version of the book, but it's worth remembering that the BBC did a radio adaption of this book way back in the 50's, and being radio, much of the effects were in your head ... and it scared the shit out of a lot people.
Apparently the Beeb is going to remake DOTT. I'm SO thrilled,because it's one of THE best British horror Sci-fi books of all time and finally they have the technology to make a truly convincing triffid,not something resembling a paper mache gladiola.
Why so thrilled? just look what happened when they remade Survivors, it was shit. The thing with DOTT is, it had really top class actors which made up for the low budget effects. Modern sci-fi /remakes are all CGI no quality acting. Oh yea I bet will have zero scare factor, the old title sequence is still chilling to this day.
lol, survivors remake was terrible. I watched the first one, and noting the improbability of two muslims, one black guy, and couple of women, and a white rapist murderer all statistically surviving and coming together, concluded it was a more a look at the way the BBC would love the world to look if only they could engineer the right virus.
It was the politically correct virus.
The empty churches should tip them off that being preached to is not a form of entertainment.
I remember coming home from junior school and watching this. My mum used to tape it because it was on before I got home. I remember it being on about the same time as V, because I used to watch one after the other. Scared the crap out of me, but I loved it.
It's interesting that despite the book's title, it isn't really about the triffids. They're just opportunistic predators, like the dogs and escaped animals from the zoo would be.
It's more a study of catastrophe and how humans deal with it. The presence of the plants comes less and less important as the book progresses. The triffids act more as a means of pushing the sighted together.
How long would most humans last without sight, a week at the most, lack of water would kill most of them.
Thanks for posting this. This programme had a great effect on me: as a child I found it utterly terrifying and now, as an adult, I find it utterly compelling (and still rather chilling!) Fabulous stuff!
You should have seen the original movie back in the mid 1960's. For that time period it was pretty good. No CGI, just minitures, etc. Still, it was scary back then.
Have just seen the whole thing recently on DVD. It used to scare me as a kid too so I was intrigued to see it again, but it's so dated now. The triffids look pathetic, how they were ever scary I don't know?! Still, all relative to the time it was made I suppose, and John Duttine's beard is a dense corker!
It's actually not too bad, EXCEPT everybody in it is so terribly middle class. I guess that's how the BBC was in the early 80s: every actor came from a similar upper-middle class template.
Dramatic, simple, menacing, sinister, stark. Very modern too. It is rare to see (and hear) programmes open with such a bold statement these days. Proper soundtrack too... again all too rare these days.
Ha ha, my brother's and sister's were the exact same back in the early 80's. Behind the couch when the triffids were on. I'm 26 now, and still hiding....
2 dislikes German / 2 dislikes French - reaction - fuck them to hell! fucking duplicitous
StasisClungeFlux 2 months ago
I missed this as it was on when I was at cubs. 30 years on am still waiting..
whyteay 4 months ago
This serial is fantastic. I watch it on youtube, but now i dont find it. Propably deleted? :-(
stepan75 8 months ago
@stepan75 - Well, you could get the DVD, at £3.89 at Play or Amazon it's a bargain.
Steve10578 3 weeks ago
Fantastic theme music. I crapped myself when I was 13 watching this in the early 80s. . Despite comments the triffids looked like papier mache gladiola - I actually think they were more real than the computer-generated cartoons in the remake.
BNCA70 11 months ago 2
@BNCA70 I agree, sometimes actual props are much more convincing than CGI sometimes, although CGI does have some advantages (i.e. it can do things actual props can't) and its disadvantages (i.e., it does look unrealistic).
animationdude56 6 months ago
The third face looks like Nigel Kneale!
straker2 1 year ago
Every single time there's a new part in the DVD, it always shows the intro. Kind of annoying, but the story is interesting.
SCGod 2 years ago
Is it just me or is the theme a 'homage' to Ligeti?
drsigh 2 years ago
This was a good version of the book, but it's worth remembering that the BBC did a radio adaption of this book way back in the 50's, and being radio, much of the effects were in your head ... and it scared the shit out of a lot people.
mandrake127 2 years ago
One of the great Sci-Fi flicks.
Dukeoftruth 2 years ago
@Dukeoftruth
It's a TV series, not a movie.
KaitainCPS 1 year ago
Apparently the Beeb is going to remake DOTT. I'm SO thrilled,because it's one of THE best British horror Sci-fi books of all time and finally they have the technology to make a truly convincing triffid,not something resembling a paper mache gladiola.
blackwhimsy 3 years ago 6
i read that on wiki, do you know when??
trash87 3 years ago
Why so thrilled? just look what happened when they remade Survivors, it was shit. The thing with DOTT is, it had really top class actors which made up for the low budget effects. Modern sci-fi /remakes are all CGI no quality acting. Oh yea I bet will have zero scare factor, the old title sequence is still chilling to this day.
dutchtrucker 2 years ago
lol, survivors remake was terrible. I watched the first one, and noting the improbability of two muslims, one black guy, and couple of women, and a white rapist murderer all statistically surviving and coming together, concluded it was a more a look at the way the BBC would love the world to look if only they could engineer the right virus.
It was the politically correct virus.
The empty churches should tip them off that being preached to is not a form of entertainment.
ianclivewright 2 years ago
@blackwhimsy
Just so long as they get good actors.
jimmyboyG485 1 year ago
I remember coming home from junior school and watching this. My mum used to tape it because it was on before I got home. I remember it being on about the same time as V, because I used to watch one after the other. Scared the crap out of me, but I loved it.
EvilMuppet1979 3 years ago
It's interesting that despite the book's title, it isn't really about the triffids. They're just opportunistic predators, like the dogs and escaped animals from the zoo would be.
It's more a study of catastrophe and how humans deal with it. The presence of the plants comes less and less important as the book progresses. The triffids act more as a means of pushing the sighted together.
How long would most humans last without sight, a week at the most, lack of water would kill most of them.
ianclivewright 3 years ago 3
great book, read the book
urmo345 3 years ago
one can only wonder how many triffids were flushed down the toilet after this show aired.
jumesblant 3 years ago 10
this used to scare the shit out of me as a kid no wonder i grew up t b a mental
smiglips 3 years ago 3
Thanks for posting this. This programme had a great effect on me: as a child I found it utterly terrifying and now, as an adult, I find it utterly compelling (and still rather chilling!) Fabulous stuff!
doctortrefusis 3 years ago
wow this was scary when I was a kid! Very atmospheric no wonder I hate cabbage!
eel4q2 3 years ago 2
This was to scary for me, I'd run to my bedroom and go to sleep when this came on.
ligeynuts 4 years ago
jezus ..no wonder i turned out like i did :)
cant remember if my parents let me watch it,or if it was a creep downstairs and peep through the crack in the door situation?
nimbobular 4 years ago
awesome muisc, awesome adaptation. never seen it since i was scared witless as a kid
xufilmes 4 years ago
You should have seen the original movie back in the mid 1960's. For that time period it was pretty good. No CGI, just minitures, etc. Still, it was scary back then.
rickd248 4 years ago
very very scary and brilliant/.
nederland4045 5 years ago
Have just seen the whole thing recently on DVD. It used to scare me as a kid too so I was intrigued to see it again, but it's so dated now. The triffids look pathetic, how they were ever scary I don't know?! Still, all relative to the time it was made I suppose, and John Duttine's beard is a dense corker!
Stevieboy74 5 years ago
aye ..tis a fine beard
I nearly bought it,but like you say its probably not as mentalist as it was first time round,when i was about 8
shame how some genuinely good stuff doesnt age well :(
nimbobular 4 years ago
@nimbobular
It's actually not too bad, EXCEPT everybody in it is so terribly middle class. I guess that's how the BBC was in the early 80s: every actor came from a similar upper-middle class template.
KaitainCPS 1 year ago
Lol, watch out! It's the Triffids!
GreyChild 5 years ago
great book. shit movie.
scraperTSB 5 years ago
Dramatic, simple, menacing, sinister, stark. Very modern too. It is rare to see (and hear) programmes open with such a bold statement these days. Proper soundtrack too... again all too rare these days.
Thanks for putting in up.
sol31bc 5 years ago
still terrifying after all these years. not sure i'm allowed to hide behind the sofa now i'm 34!! :)
simonweller 5 years ago
Ha ha, my brother's and sister's were the exact same back in the early 80's. Behind the couch when the triffids were on. I'm 26 now, and still hiding....
Metallirocks 5 years ago