The Colour of Magic (2008) (TV)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Vadim Jean

Writers:

Vadim Jean (written by)
Terry Pratchett (novels)

Release Date:

23 March 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

It's a pigment of your imagination

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Luggage | Shop | Sword In Stone | Orangutan | Coward

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

David Jason	...	Rincewind
Sean Astin	...	Twoflower
Tim Curry	...	Trymon
Jeremy Irons	...	Patrician
Brian Cox	...	Narrator (voice)
James Cosmo	...	Galder Weatherwax
Christopher Lee	...	Death (voice)
Janet Suzman	...	Ninereeds
David Bradley	...	Cohen the Barbarian
Nigel Planer	...	Arch Astronomer
Stephen Marcus	...	Broadman
Laura Haddock	...	Bethan
Liz May Brice	...	Herrena
Karen Shenaz David	...	Liessa (as Karen David)
Geoffrey Hutchings	...	Picture Imp

Also Known As:

Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic (International: English title) (complete title)
The Color of Magic (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

UK:191 min | USA:137 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color | Black and White | Color (High Definition)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Australia:PG | USA:Not Rated | UK:PG (DVD) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Anglesey, Wales, UK

Company:

RHI Entertainment

Trivia:

Many of the angry mob of Star People outside Unseen University, and the customers in the Broken Drum during the fight scene, are Discworld fans recruited through fan websites and mailing lists.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Rincewind and Twoflower are on the rock next to the Circumfence, the string holding Rincewind's hat around his neck keeps moving from above his beard to below it between shots.

Quotes:

Cohen the Barbarian: Hot water. Good dentishtry. Shoft lavatory paper.

Movie Connections:

Version of The Colour of Magic (1986) (VG)

Hugely enjoyable adaptation of a Terry Prachett novel!

I haven't read any of the DiscWorld books, and I know you are going to say i should. For a TV series, I found it surprisingly enjoyable. It looks beautiful, but I do agree that most of it lacks magic. The special effects, while overblown in places, aren't actually that bad, considering the track records of slapdash effects in TV series. Try the Chronicles of Narnia, very good, and faithful to the books, but the effects tend to let them down. As for the performances, what can i say? Very good indeed! David Jason, Britain's funniest living actor, gives a very funny performance of Rincewind, considering he wanted to do that role for years, though he may have been duller than what Pratchett intended. Sean Astin, of Lord of the Rings fame, is also a nice contrast to Jason's Rincewind. It's true that some of the humour is forced, but the chemistry between the two men compensate. Tim Curry was an inspired choice for Trymon, and he did a superb job, showing off his versatility, bringing back fond memories of his performances in films like Legend, the Three Musketeers and It. He wasn't too frightening, or campy, just in between.Christopher Lee was great as Death, great lines.("that's when they'll be taking my mask off" and "I think I've had another near-Rincewind experience")The script had its downsides but was overall very funny. It is evident that the adaptation is unfaithful to the books, because I felt it could have done a little more with the ending, which was rather disappointing. Overall, an uneven but enjoyable adaptation of Terry Prachett, who actually liked the changes for once. Try telling Stephen King that! 7.5/10 Bethany Cox