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Biggles
Aug 28, 2010 20:40:03 GMT 12
Post by planeimages on Aug 28, 2010 20:40:03 GMT 12
Has anyone heard of any plans to create a film or perhaps a TV series on Capt. W.E. Johns' classics which featured "Biggle", "Algy", "Worrals" and Co?
Given the success of shows such as "Foyle's War" and "Heartbeat" I would have thought that the BBC could easily create a wonderful series for TV.
There is any number of suitable aircraft from WWI and WWII available in the UK, NZ, USA and Australia.
Just imagine Honeysuckle Weeks (aka Samantha Stewart in Foyle's War) playing the part of "Worrals"? A recent read of a "Worrals" story showed that her dialogue is just as Samantha Stewart is portrayed in Foyle's War.
Yes, I know that the BBC made "A Piece of Cake" which was panned by some people as stretching the truth too far. Most of the incidents portrayed were based on factual accounts and it was a great yarn with magnificent cinematography (except for a few scenes stolen from "The Battle of Britain")
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Biggles
Aug 28, 2010 21:16:53 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 28, 2010 21:16:53 GMT 12
Hi Peter, welcome back mate. That is a crackingly good idea, a Biggles series could certainly be made these days, particularly in the UK or here in NZ. I've only read one Biggles book but I thought it was great.
Wings was a great series based around a WWI RFC squadron but it would be quite dated now I think. Everyone has heard of Biggles and I'm sure it would do well. there have of course been films in the past, I haven't seen them though. Apparently the most recent was Americanised and involved time travel and helicopters!! Oh dear.
By the way, Piece of Cake was made by London Weekend Television, not the BBC, and was in my eyes a masterpiece of writing, acting and flying. Also very authentic sets and locations. And as you say it was largely based on fact because apparently the book was plagurised from a memoir written by a No. 1 Squadron pilot, who was going to sure but he died before it got to court.
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Biggles
Aug 28, 2010 22:12:33 GMT 12
Post by obiwan27 on Aug 28, 2010 22:12:33 GMT 12
According to Wikipedia, there was a TV series in the 1960s plus a god-awful film adaptation in 1986. If they do it again, lets hope they do it properly. In fact as far as a new series or film goes, Peter Jackson are you listening? With all of those WW1 type aircraft currently in NZ couldn't we do it here?  Now there's an idea.... Baz, do you still have any of your Biggles books? According to Wikipedia they are worth a lot of dosh these days. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biggles |
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Biggles
Aug 29, 2010 11:32:59 GMT 12
Post by baz62 on Aug 29, 2010 11:32:59 GMT 12
I'd have to look in the garage but my Biggles books might not be there now. I think the older ones I inherited from our older brother. I remember picking one up and reading on the back about some guy and a camel in World War 1. Imagine my pleasant surprise to find that it wasn't the hump backed animal but my favourite subject! Aeroplanes!! I was hooked!
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Biggles
Aug 30, 2010 22:00:58 GMT 12
Post by planeimages on Aug 30, 2010 22:00:58 GMT 12
Many thanks gentlemen. Yes, some editions are worth plenty... around several hundred quid in the UK for pristine examples of first editions.
I was rather thinking of Peter Jackson and making the film/series in NZ, although you may have to borrow our Spitfires.
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Biggles
Aug 30, 2010 22:12:04 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 30, 2010 22:12:04 GMT 12
We have Spitfires. Lots of them when you combine CGI with the one that's flying. ;D
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Biggles
Sept 1, 2010 14:10:48 GMT 12
Post by timmo on Sept 1, 2010 14:10:48 GMT 12
As a young-un I seem to remember being thoroughly disappointed in that Biggles movie! Both my brother and I grew up reading the books and have a box of them stashed away at our parents somewhere.....I don't think there are any 1st eds there though  |
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Biggles
Mar 22, 2011 0:39:09 GMT 12
Post by Officer Crabtree on Mar 22, 2011 0:39:09 GMT 12
I must read more biggles books...anyone know where to get them?
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Biggles
Mar 22, 2011 9:30:11 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 22, 2011 9:30:11 GMT 12
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Biggles
Mar 22, 2011 10:31:46 GMT 12
Post by fwx on Mar 22, 2011 10:31:46 GMT 12
Great idea!
Biggles was a big part of my reading when I was a kid; had about 8 of the Biggles books from memory, probably still in a box somewhere at my Mum's. I've tried to get my boys interested, but no luck so far - they don't know what they are missing!
I'm sure a movie would open up a whole new generation to a character that was every bit as exciting as Indiana Jones. Not just WW1 adventures, but all kinds of between-wars adventures, and even some set in WW2 from memory?
Last weekend I did manage to retrieve my copy of one of my all-time favourite boyhood books from Mum's; "Thrilling Flights", also by Capt. W.E. Johns, a collection of true pilot's stories, mostly from WW1. Now there's a book! Was given to my Dad by his Dad. Looking forward to re-acquainting myself with it's smell, antiquated aeronautical terminology and quintessential British-ness!
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Biggles
Mar 22, 2011 21:05:39 GMT 12
Post by flyjoe180 on Mar 22, 2011 21:05:39 GMT 12
There was a (bad) Biggles movie made in the 80's. Anyone else remember it? The one where he went through time.
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Biggles
Mar 25, 2011 11:44:27 GMT 12
Post by flyjoe180 on Mar 25, 2011 11:44:27 GMT 12
Maybe I flew through time and saw it.
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Biggles
Mar 25, 2011 21:37:02 GMT 12
Post by shorty on Mar 25, 2011 21:37:02 GMT 12
I was given a copy of that movie-it was utter crap! They had some lovely sheila in tow as they charged around the Western Front trying to sort out a secret weapon which was some sort of sound cannon. Biggles climbs out of his Camel, gets into a Jet Ranger and flies it no sweat! And all this in 1917 supposedly!
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Biggles
Mar 26, 2011 8:40:27 GMT 12
Post by flyjoe180 on Mar 26, 2011 8:40:27 GMT 12
Yep, that's the one. And yes, complete utter crap not worthy of being seen. ;D
A new Biggles movie based on the books would be great!
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Biggles
Mar 26, 2011 18:26:31 GMT 12
Post by strikemaster on Mar 26, 2011 18:26:31 GMT 12
that and the Phantom movie, groan.
The books were great but I think there would be a struggle to keep the campness without it being, um, overly camp. If you know what I mean/ Like trying to do a Famous Five movie or Nancy drew or.......... aha, Brady Bunch.
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Biggles
Mar 26, 2011 20:49:32 GMT 12
Post by Officer Crabtree on Mar 26, 2011 20:49:32 GMT 12
The movie on YouTube...everyone who comments loved it! And one guy even said "This is a very clever and unappreciated film. If only there was something similar in the books"... |
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Now there's an idea.... Baz, do you still have any of your Biggles books? According to Wikipedia they are worth a lot of dosh these days. 
