Erm.....

[beecus]

I've just been to Amazon.com and read some of the reviews of the Pendragon version..... erm.... Have they seen the same film or are they confused or do they simply work for Pendragon?

Here is part of a review I noticed..

''Let's be clear about this: you cannot buy a better version of War of the Worlds.

Let's start, however, with the (very minor) defects in the film. The cast is obviously enthusiastic but inexperienced. Most of them are in their first or second films.''

And another..

''The special effects, for the most part, are very impressive''

Like the title of the post says.... ERM..

[jeffwaynefan]

You'll find those are posts submited by people associated with Pens.

[malfunkshun]

just check out the rave reviews on the Pendragon website.

in a way, it is THE BEST version of a WOTW movie out there. it is exactly like the text of the book, for the most part.

isn't it ironic that the crappy translations of the book are only decent in the effects department, then we get a great translation of the book, and everything about it sucks?

[Spirit of Man]

stardog said:

just check out the rave reviews on the Pendragon website.

in a way, it is THE BEST version of a WOTW movie out there. it is exactly like the text of the book, for the most part.

isn't it ironic that the crappy translations of the book are only decent in the effects department, then we get a great translation of the book, and everything about it sucks?

Fingers crossed that will all change in '08 when a large quantity of Waynepods march onto our screens in their state of the art CGI glory

Or should that be Tri(m)pods??

[Thunder Child]

Trimpods, that ones great! ;D

Johan

[Lensman]

Actually I far prefer Pendragon's tripod design to Jeff Wayne's, but I strongly suspect that will be the *only* thing that I'll prefer, once I see the Jeff Wayne movie.

[malfunkshun]

yes i thought the pendragon tripod, minus the mechanical tentacles, was quite good, too bad it wasn't animated well

[RustiSwordz]

bding ding ding.. hold on that sound effect was in the wrong movie...

[greenwalther]

spiritofman said:

stardog said:

just check out the rave reviews on the Pendragon website.

in a way, it is THE BEST version of a WOTW movie out there. it is exactly like the text of the book, for the most part.

isn't it ironic that the crappy translations of the book are only decent in the effects department, then we get a great translation of the book, and everything about it sucks?

Fingers crossed that will all change in '08 when a large quantity of Waynepods march onto our screens in their state of the art CGI glory

Or should that be Tri(m)pods??

As someone who was disgusted beyond belief when Peter Briggs related how Wayne screwed Paramount out of being able to do a big-budget period piece (www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=4914), I fail to see anything glorious in a big-screen version of his ego trip. It used to be I just intensely disliked his musical. But after this, I think he's a deplorable human being, as well. (In fairness, I feel this way about a lot of showbiz types, but that's another topic.)

It WOULD be nice to see a nice, faithful, big-budget live-action version, but let's not kid ourselves. It's never going to happen as long as Wayne keeps a stranglehold on the property, regardless of whatever creative team Hollywood wants to put on it. Yes, Spielberg and Cruise's version didn't work, but its problems had nothing to do with the updating and relocation of the plot. The 1953 film didn't have the money to do the book, and it had a studio exec trying to torpedo it at every turn. And Pendragon... well, they're a joke. But I refuse to deify Wayne, whose work Ido not like in the least, for railroading everyone else so his WOTW can be the only game in town. Yes, we're not getting a quality live-action version. Yes, it's a shame. But that option was never in our hands to begin with.

[EvilNerfherder]

Thanks for your comments, Greenwalther, but you should know that none of this stuff a few people say about Jeff and his dealings has ever been substantiated as far as I can tell. This sounds almost as if it came from the pen of a certain paranoid 'filmmaker' we all know and love who has recently taken to publicly flinging mud in Jeff's direction again. Then taken the lot down again.
By the way that article is dated 1999. Do you really believe everything you read?
You'll note that the article states that Jeff owns the non-cinematic rights to the work, so how the hell can he stop Paramount making whatever film they like?
I understand Jeff did talk to Paramount, long ago, to try and iron out ways in which his music could be integrated into a Paramount film but it didn't work out, so I guess that much is true. If he was so keen on making it a musical, why is he now so dead set (and I had this from the horses mouth) on making a faithful adaption with probably the only links to his album being the slight character changes and the fact that the music will be converted into an orchestral soundtrack. There won't be any dancing tripods in his movie. Or pirhouetting Artillerymen. Or whatever.
If you choose to see Jeff as a 'monster', that's your lookout, but as far as I can see (although I'm no expert, I admit, and the copyrights issues is very complicated), he protects his work only as much as any person who has made a multi-million selling property would. Any idea that he has more of a stranglehold on the movie side of things than Paramount makes no sense. You blame Jeff for stamping on Paramount then later blame Paramount for messing up the 1953 flick. So everyone's to blame, not just Jeff?
I'm sure I remember either Spielberg or Cruise saying that audiences today wouldn't identify with a period piece anyway.
Jeff, as my understanding of the copyrights goes, can affect the merchandising side of things, musical and other reproductions, but not the movies or TV. That, as far as I know, falls squarely in Paramount's lap.
In case you are wondering, and so we are all being up front here, I do have dealings with Jeff myself, as the admin on his official website. I don't get paid for it, though, and I don't wear rose tinted spectacles. I know the album has a business side to it as much as anyone... if not more so (I help fans get permission to use the music in fan projects on a regular basis, for a start). I asked JWM for comment on all the stuff people say about Jeff when Timbo started spunking off last, and they didn't even think it worth the effort. As far as I am aware, they have never stooped to ever commenting on any of these 'allegations', although they must be sorely tempted at times. This sort of thing happens every so often when people read vague old articles by people few people have ever heard of on websites.
If you have any proof of any of this or know more about the copyright issues than we do, by all means please enlighten us.

[FALLINGSTAR]

greenwalther said:

spiritofman said:

Fingers crossed that will all change in '08 when a large quantity of Waynepods march onto our screens in their state of the art CGI glory

Or should that be Tri(m)pods??

As someone who was disgusted beyond belief when Peter Briggs related how Wayne screwed Paramount out of being able to do a big-budget period piece (www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=4914), I fail to see anything glorious in a big-screen version of his ego trip. It used to be I just intensely disliked his musical. But after this, I think he's a deplorable human being, as well. (In fairness, I feel this way about a lot of showbiz types, but that's another topic.)

It WOULD be nice to see a nice, faithful, big-budget live-action version, but let's not kid ourselves. It's never going to happen as long as Wayne keeps a stranglehold on the property, regardless of whatever creative team Hollywood wants to put on it. Yes, Spielberg and Cruise's version didn't work, but its problems had nothing to do with the updating and relocation of the plot. The 1953 film didn't have the money to do the book, and it had a studio exec trying to torpedo it at every turn. And Pendragon... well, they're a joke. But I refuse to deify Wayne, whose work Ido not like in the least, for railroading everyone else so his WOTW can be the only game in town. Yes, we're not getting a quality live-action version. Yes, it's a shame. But that option was never in our hands to begin with.

But do you really think that with Paramount and "Mr all American hero" Tom Cruise involved we would have had a faithful period version? I seriously doubt we would have somehow. The chances are that they would have pinched this Peter Briggs characters script and tossed it out of the window anyway [ if it was any good to start off with ].

And we've had countless modern day adaptations set in America so Spielbergs film DID suffer from it being updated and set in the States once again.

A Victorian England version would have been unique - instead we had an uncomfortable uninspiring mess of a film that like it or not has been compared to Independence Day.

Paramount [ apart from that Peter Briggs interview ] have never shown any signs of being interested in making a faithful version of the book.

[FALLINGSTAR]

nerfherder said:

Thanks for your comments, Greenwalther, but you should know that none of this stuff a few people say about Jeff and his dealings has ever been substantiated as far as I can tell. This sounds almost as if it came from the pen of a certain paranoid 'filmmaker' we all know and love who has recently taken to publicly flinging mud in Jeff's direction again. Then taken the lot down again.
By the way that article is dated 1999. Do you really believe everything you read?
You'll note that the article states that Jeff owns the non-cinematic rights to the work, so how the hell can he stop Paramount making whatever film they like?
I understand Jeff did talk to Paramount, long ago, to try and iron out ways in which his music could be integrated into a Paramount film but it didn't work out, so I guess that much is true. If he was so keen on making it a musical, why is he now so dead set (and I had this from the horses mouth) on making a faithful adaption with probably the only links to his album being the slight character changes and the fact that the music will be converted into an orchestral soundtrack. There won't be any dancing tripods in his movie. Or pirhouetting Artillerymen. Or whatever.
If you choose to see Jeff as a 'monster', that's your lookout, but as far as I can see (although I'm no expert, I admit, and the copyrights issues is very complicated), he protects his work only as much as any person who has made a multi-million selling property would. Any idea that he has more of a stranglehold on the movie side of things than Paramount makes no sense. You blame Jeff for stamping on Paramount then later blame Paramount for messing up the 1953 flick. So everyone's to blame, not just Jeff?
I'm sure I remember either Spielberg or Cruise saying that audiences today wouldn't identify with a period piece anyway.
Jeff, as my understanding of the copyrights goes, can affect the merchandising side of things, musical and other reproductions, but not the movies or TV. That, as far as I know, falls squarely in Paramount's lap.
In case you are wondering, and so we are all being up front here, I do have dealings with Jeff myself, as the admin on his official website. I don't get paid for it, though, and I don't wear rose tinted spectacles. I know the album has a business side to it as much as anyone... if not more so (I help fans get permission to use the music in fan projects on a regular basis, for a start). I asked JWM for comment on all the stuff people say about Jeff when Timbo started spunking off last, and they didn't even think it worth the effort. As far as I am aware, they have never stooped to ever commenting on any of these 'allegations', although they must be sorely tempted at times. This sort of thing happens every so often when people read vague old articles by people few people have ever heard of on websites.
If you have any proof of any of this or know more about the copyright issues than we do, by all means please enlighten us.

I'm not saying everything Jeff Wayne has done is perfect but as nerf says - if you want to blame anyone - blame Paramount and Spielberg who had the resources to do the book justice and didn't

[jeffwaynefan]

I blame . . . . everyone!

[FALLINGSTAR]

jeffwaynefan said:

I blame . . . . everyone!

Everyone Horsell?

[jeffwaynefan]

I see it as we all have had a part in its downfall (so to speak)

Blame Frank Wells for the idea

Blame H.G for writing it

Blame Orson Welles for updating it and paniking millions

Blame George Pal for bringing it to the big screen and not staying true to the book (pushing us to want a period version)

Blame Jeff Wayne for making it into a musical and selling millions of copies to then have us want to see it as a film. Followed by many re-releases

Blame Pendragon for making such a low budget film that failed to impress

Blame Asylum for making a film that is not like the book and set in modern day with six legged machines

Blame Spielberg for making a film version and updating it to match with terrorist attacks upon the world

Blame 'us' for buying, asking, demanding, wanting, expecting, complaining, congratulating

I could go on. . . . .

We, as a party of followers to the book want to see (more than anything else) the book come to life on the big screen in big budget version. But its gone beyond the point of asking, were now demanding. Time plays a big part in this also, and as it was pointed out - Paramounts version was updated due to people not understanding something that is meant to be 'period'. If Paramount only asked the community instead of going with a gut feeling.

I will always turn to the book, the original source, something that will never be beaten, not by a film maker or record producer.

Anyone can come forward and say they are making a version of TWOTW. Good on you, hope it works out well for you. But remember one thing. There will ONLY ever be one TWOTW, the one that H.G.Wells wrote, the one I will always remember, the one I will always turn too. . . . . Hollywood, pile of crap. I personaly think they have done more damage than good. So they can keep there celuloid. If you cant do the book justice and I mean real justice: LEAVE IT ALOAN.

In my own opinion, TWOTW on the big screen has had its day. TWOTW has only one more shot - 2008 (110th aniversary of the novel), but some how I see that year to be a quite one - How I hope to be proven wrong.

[the Donal]

I still hold out for the small screen. (go on BBC- pleeeeeease! You know you can do it!).

Not the one on my mobile phone though. That's nearly had its day too.

[FALLINGSTAR]

jeffwaynefan said:

I see it as we all have had a part in its downfall (so to speak)

Blame Frank Wells for the idea

Blame H.G for writing it

Blame Orson Welles for updating it and paniking millions

Blame George Pal for bringing it to the big screen and not staying true to the book (pushing us to want a period version)

Blame Jeff Wayne for making it into a musical and selling millions of copies to then have us want to see it as a film. Followed by many re-releases

Blame Pendragon for making such a low budget film that failed to impress

Blame Asylum for making a film that is not like the book and set in modern day with six legged machines

Blame Spielberg for making a film version and updating it to match with terrorist attacks upon the world

Blame 'us' for buying, asking, demanding, wanting, expecting, complaining, congratulating

I could go on. . . . .

We, as a party of followers to the book want to see (more than anything else) the book come to life on the big screen in big budget version. But its gone beyond the point of asking, were now demanding. Time plays a big part in this also, and as it was pointed out - Paramounts version was updated due to people not understanding something that is meant to be 'period'. If Paramount only asked the community instead of going with a gut feeling.

I will always turn to the book, the original source, something that will never be beaten, not by a film maker or record producer.

Anyone can come forward and say they are making a version of TWOTW. Good on you, hope it works out well for you. But remember one thing. There will ONLY ever be one TWOTW, the one that H.G.Wells wrote, the one I will always remember, the one I will always turn too. . . . . Hollywood, pile of crap. I personaly think they have done more damage than good. So they can keep there celuloid. If you cant do the book justice and I mean real justice: LEAVE IT ALOAN.

In my own opinion, TWOTW on the big screen has had its day. TWOTW has only one more shot - 2008 (110th aniversary of the novel), but some how I see that year to be a quite one - How I hope to be proven wrong.

To be fair - even though there are 1 or 2 parts of the album I'm not so keen on - Jeff Wayne has in some ways given an added dimension to the book. The tune from Eve of the War captures Wells book so billiantly and so do quite a few other parts of the album.
If Jeff does take the film much more seriously than the album - leaves out maybe some of the more slightly campier elements and does the soundtrack as overwhelmingly orchestral [ with all the great sound effects from the album ] then we could be looking at a great adaptation of the book.

[tug]

GREAT NEWS!!! Paramount anounce that a faithful adaption of WOTW is to go into production soon. Paramounts PR people have admited that the SS/TC offering paid very little respect to the source material and allthough it was a extremely expensive production it was ill concieved and rushed out to fit in with SS and TCs other commitements executives at Paramount said, we drooled every time we saw released footage of Peter Jacksons KING KONG in production at the time and winced when rushes of SS and co were presented to us,we knew we had a bummer on our hands hence the lack of merchendising/ models toys etc but we now have the opportunity to put it right.We shall put all of our re........ BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP! bloody alarm clock! ooh what a dream! ahh well back to sleep

[Lensman]

"Help me, Obi Jeff Waynobi, you're my only hope..."

[tug]

No... there is another! Oh! just a minute I'm sorry , he's just been eaten by a giant lobster. Ah well thats life.