|
Taking on the famous challenge to circumnavigate the globe
in less than 80 days, Michael Palin follows in the footsteps
of Phileas Fogg, Jules Verne's fictional hero, using the same
routes and transport wherever possible, and not allowed the
use of air travel. In the modern world, however, air travel
has destroyed the scheduled passenger steamer, and decimated
the global rail links. Gradually Michael realises that things
can only go from good to bad, to impossible...
I
started watching this DVD 15 years to the day that Michael
Palin began his journey (which itself was started 116 years
to the day after Phileas Fogg's fictional adventures began).
This wasn't intentional on my part, it's just the way the
review schedules worked out, but I couldn't help feel I was
part of some monumental journey myself. However, I wasn't
afforded the luxury of 80 days to get the review finished.
The
first episode sees more concerned with Palin's numerous meetings
with experts as he tried to discover whether travelling around
the world in 80 days without the aid of air transport was
possible. He even calls on Alan Wicker - any respect you may
have had for the man is short lived as he informs Palin how
he deals with the natives! However, he does offer Palin some
good advice: "Don't con the audience"
by pretending that you don't have a camera crew travelling
with you. And for the next seven episodes Palin tries not
to con us, referring to his entourage as his Passepartout.
But when buying tickets he always asks for "one"
(although he could be asking for a "one way" ticket).
Unlike Jules Verne's Passepartout, the BBC employees didn't
fail to finish the journey after getting drunk in Hong Kong.
It
is during the interviews at the start of the first episode
that we start to see some dodgy editing. Palin looks bored
and his interviewees seem to be cut short mid-story due to
poor cut away shots that don't quite match.
But
before you know it Palin sets off in style aboard the Orient
Express - although it is a little sad to see that it's not
a steam locomotive that pulls the carriages. Instead a diesel
engine is in place.
From
early on, due to industrial action, Palin's plans to circumnavigate
the globe in the allotted time seems to be in doubt. In fact
this is a reoccurring theme throughout the journey. And when
he nears the end of his quest, travelling through the US,
his over confidence nearly ruins everything. By spending a
day sight seeing everything almost comes unstuck.
Another element I thought added to the series was the music.
The familiar theme was varied from country to country to reflect
the culture, while this pandered to stereotypical images of
each country it still raises a smile.
I
was unsure why the BBC had released this on three discs. It
would comfortably have fitted on two. But then the RRP is
only £20, so you can't complain. The only extra on the
disc is a new 20 minute interview with Palin that makes for
interesting viewing. Possibly the most amazing fact was that
the BBC had only originally scheduled the series for six episodes,
and that the third episode - which sees Palin spend his time
on an Indian ship - was stretched from its originally planned
10 minutes. And what a good thing it was, as this is by far
the best episode. Incidentally this episode also suffers from
some poor editing. Palin's shipmates are seen to laugh at
his poor attempts at having a bath on deck. The cutaways of
them laughing seem not to be at Palin's expense, and the one
shot you see of them and him in the same frame we hear laughing,
but it is not them as they are glancing out to sea.
I
could easily have watched more footage - sadly the second
half of the journey is squeezed into the last episode.
Palin
shows scenes that most documentary makers would shy away from.
There is a rather sad scene with child beggars leaning into
Palin's taxi. He looks concerned, but explains why he feels
it is wrong to give them money. Controversial, but as a filmmaker
it shows guts. Also, his sarcastic attack on a London newspaper
vendor is of equal merit. Having travelled around the World
he has been greeted like an old friend by strangers in foreign
lands and yet in his own country he is treated with distaste.
Oh
and one last thing... doesn't Palin state that no air travel
will be used? So what was he doing in a hot air balloon? He
obviously means no modern air travel? An interesting fact
that Palin mentions is that Fogg never travelled in a balloon
in Vernes original novel - it was something invented for the
movie.
From
my earlier nitpicking you may have thought I wasn't overly
keen on this collection. Far from it. It is educational, entertaining
and very funny. This should be one DVD that everyone should
have in their collection.
Darren
Rea
 
Buy
this item online
We
compare prices online so you get the cheapest
deal!
(Please note all prices exclude P&P - although
Streets Online charge a flat £1 fee regardless
of the number of items ordered). Click on the
logo of the desired store below to purchase
this item.
|
|
|
£14.98
(Amazon.co.uk) |
| |
|
|
|
£16.99
(Blackstar.co.uk) |
| |
|
|
|
£16.99
(Streetsonline.co.uk) |
All prices correct at time of going to press.
|
|
