Once I knew that this did not follow the events of one of my favorite childhood books, I had to look at it anew. Fogg lets a former romance get in the way of the greatest accomplishment of his life. But it is she who drives him onward. Bellamy is so villainous and yet he gives up his honor. Rightfully, had Fogg been vengeful, he would have let him go to prison or be thrown to the wolves. There are some issues thrown in here. We have a woman and a black man, sitting in an exclusive men's club, drinking and smoking cigars. We have a racial incident aboard a huge ocean liner. But, ultimately, on major part of the story, the most necessary, is left: the International Date Line. We are also set up for a second season that sounds an awful lot like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea--that other Jules Verne story among many.
11 Reviews
Finale, A Second Season?!
shelbythuylinh21 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Ending that will not be given away but that really there is going to be a second season.
Abagail must make peace with her father after what he wrote about earlier in the season about that Digby lady.
Passepartout takes the high road over showing some arrogant racist boat passengers on the Henrietta.
Fogg meets his long lost love whom is now married with kids and how he must reluctantly come to terms with what he lost but hopefully will never make the same mistake again.
Bellamy needs to be thrown in jail as he did everything and anything to nearly cost Fogg the wager like few times his life. Guy's only remorse is that he got caught and will never be in society again.
People say it is a woke miniseries. But yet while I agree but still it was quite entertaining. I still love the miniseries with pre-Bond Pierce Brosnan and Monty Python's Eric Idle(Whom I had a Crush on as a kid and still do)!
Tennant portrayed Phileas as a cowardly bumbling wimp but still he came off a bad*ss in the finale when taken hostage. Can't wait for the second season.
Abagail must make peace with her father after what he wrote about earlier in the season about that Digby lady.
Passepartout takes the high road over showing some arrogant racist boat passengers on the Henrietta.
Fogg meets his long lost love whom is now married with kids and how he must reluctantly come to terms with what he lost but hopefully will never make the same mistake again.
Bellamy needs to be thrown in jail as he did everything and anything to nearly cost Fogg the wager like few times his life. Guy's only remorse is that he got caught and will never be in society again.
People say it is a woke miniseries. But yet while I agree but still it was quite entertaining. I still love the miniseries with pre-Bond Pierce Brosnan and Monty Python's Eric Idle(Whom I had a Crush on as a kid and still do)!
Tennant portrayed Phileas as a cowardly bumbling wimp but still he came off a bad*ss in the finale when taken hostage. Can't wait for the second season.
Spectacular Fun - S01 Review
JoshuaMercott23 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The pages of the classic novel - same title, written by Jules Verne - came to life, again. "Around the World in 80 Days" season 1 on BBC iPlayer was a joyride through the vintage past, where adventure met elegance and ambitions galore. Creative cinematography and witty writing both played a key role in the success of this project, which thoroughly impressed.
Each of the eight episodes in season 1 was neither too short nor prolonged. I didn't even feel the time go by. It was thrilling and amazing, and felt surprisingly true to the book despite the contemporary VFX and action sequences. Great balancing work all round.
Directors Steve Barron, Brian Kelly, and Charles Beeson did wonderfully on this project, which is currently streaming on BBC iPlayer. The writing crew did a fantastic job keeping every loose end wrapped and each dialogue meaningful. Great work in this regard by Ashley Pharoah, Caleb Ranson, Claire Downes, Stephen Greenhorn, Ian Jarvis, Peter McKenna, Debbie O'Malley, Jessica Ruston, and Lane Stuart.
Christian Lundberg's musical scoring was elegant excellence. Composing it was none other than Hans Zimmer himself. Mannie Ferreira and Álvaro Gutiérrez's cinematography was amazing and detailed. Great work on editing, stunts, and sound effects too. Art direction, set decoration, and production design deserve much kudos for the sheer effort they brought to bear on this project. Kate Carin's costume design was the cherry on this cake. Hair-makeup and VFX were the icing. All crew members brought Verne's fictional world to life.
I've seen other versions of this story made for the screen, but "Around the World in 80 Days" 2021 has risen to attain gold standard status, in my opinion. Suits, bowler and top hats, horse-drawn carriages, olden-days newspaper printing... They bottled the Victorian era in each episode. This, by itself, was their winning factor.
An amazing cast helped pull off the outstanding story, starting with David Tennant who played the iconic protagonist Phileas Fogg. Not to forget Passepartout, played by Ibrahim Koma, who was great. Abigail "Fix" Fortescue, played by Leonie Benesch, was remarkable. Bernard Fortescue, played by Jason Watkins, was memorable. Jane Digby, played by Lindsay Duncan, was great. Aouda, played by Shivaani Ghai, was noteworthy. The rest of the ensemble were splendid.
The story was 'altered' in select places to suit progressive sentiments, a move I quite appreciated. There were numerous serious, multi-historical, cross-cultural, dark, and pathos-driven elements interwoven into the script - loved the creative decisions made all round.
"Around the World in 80 Days" S01 streaming on BBC iPlayer was a nostalgic ride through one of literature's classic favourites adapted for the small screen. It felt at once familiar yet new, a balance that only a select few competent creators have managed to pull off over the years. This series had everything, and then some. I never quite expected to enjoy it as much as I did.
Each of the eight episodes in season 1 was neither too short nor prolonged. I didn't even feel the time go by. It was thrilling and amazing, and felt surprisingly true to the book despite the contemporary VFX and action sequences. Great balancing work all round.
Directors Steve Barron, Brian Kelly, and Charles Beeson did wonderfully on this project, which is currently streaming on BBC iPlayer. The writing crew did a fantastic job keeping every loose end wrapped and each dialogue meaningful. Great work in this regard by Ashley Pharoah, Caleb Ranson, Claire Downes, Stephen Greenhorn, Ian Jarvis, Peter McKenna, Debbie O'Malley, Jessica Ruston, and Lane Stuart.
Christian Lundberg's musical scoring was elegant excellence. Composing it was none other than Hans Zimmer himself. Mannie Ferreira and Álvaro Gutiérrez's cinematography was amazing and detailed. Great work on editing, stunts, and sound effects too. Art direction, set decoration, and production design deserve much kudos for the sheer effort they brought to bear on this project. Kate Carin's costume design was the cherry on this cake. Hair-makeup and VFX were the icing. All crew members brought Verne's fictional world to life.
I've seen other versions of this story made for the screen, but "Around the World in 80 Days" 2021 has risen to attain gold standard status, in my opinion. Suits, bowler and top hats, horse-drawn carriages, olden-days newspaper printing... They bottled the Victorian era in each episode. This, by itself, was their winning factor.
An amazing cast helped pull off the outstanding story, starting with David Tennant who played the iconic protagonist Phileas Fogg. Not to forget Passepartout, played by Ibrahim Koma, who was great. Abigail "Fix" Fortescue, played by Leonie Benesch, was remarkable. Bernard Fortescue, played by Jason Watkins, was memorable. Jane Digby, played by Lindsay Duncan, was great. Aouda, played by Shivaani Ghai, was noteworthy. The rest of the ensemble were splendid.
The story was 'altered' in select places to suit progressive sentiments, a move I quite appreciated. There were numerous serious, multi-historical, cross-cultural, dark, and pathos-driven elements interwoven into the script - loved the creative decisions made all round.
"Around the World in 80 Days" S01 streaming on BBC iPlayer was a nostalgic ride through one of literature's classic favourites adapted for the small screen. It felt at once familiar yet new, a balance that only a select few competent creators have managed to pull off over the years. This series had everything, and then some. I never quite expected to enjoy it as much as I did.
A great finish
mytrizone3 January 2022
If you got this far, you already know that this is an adaptation, not a replica of the book.
Although the story ends in the same fashion as the book, it's the journey that's important. Good dialogue, well acted (you can't beat David Tennant for a troubled gaze), and of course, great filming.
Will there be a second season? Plenty of other Jules Verne to deaw from - yes please!
Although the story ends in the same fashion as the book, it's the journey that's important. Good dialogue, well acted (you can't beat David Tennant for a troubled gaze), and of course, great filming.
Will there be a second season? Plenty of other Jules Verne to deaw from - yes please!
Brilliant ending
jasonbuckley-029625 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
What a wonderful season.
I see that David T was the executive producer so coughed up his own money to make this.
Shame Bellamy got the money but he would never be accepted in society ever again.
Season 2 has been commissioned - goodness knows what story that will be.
I see that David T was the executive producer so coughed up his own money to make this.
Shame Bellamy got the money but he would never be accepted in society ever again.
Season 2 has been commissioned - goodness knows what story that will be.
Most Satisfying
gkashtan-122 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Yes, there were the predictable suspense builders. But it was worth it and the ending was very gratifying. Of course David Tennant was superb, but the supporting cast of Ibrahim Koma and Leonie Benesch were a real delight. I very much enjoyed this whole ride.
Season One Review
southdavid3 March 2022
Whilst not as wild a departure from the source material as Howard Overman's "War of the Worlds", this version of Jules Verne's classic novel will, no doubt, upset some reviewers with its extensive reimagining of the plot and characters. In my review of the BBC's "Dracula" adaptation a few years ago, I argued that slavishly recreating the story exactly isn't always the way to go - but that adaptations can go well, or badly entirely on their own merit. All this is precursor to say that I thought this was rushed, but OK - but if you're looking for the "they've ruined it by putting a woman in it" argument, maybe click "no" and move on.
Wasting away in a London club, Phileas Fogg (David Tennant) is inspired by an article to attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days. He's accompanied by Abigail Fortescue (Leonie Benesch) who wrote the article and by Passepartout (Ibrahim Koma), a French Valet who is has his own reasons for wanting to get out of London in a hurry. As the trio attempt the journey, they face hazards to both their success and their lives. Particularly as Fogg has placed a wager with his old friend, Bellamy (Peter Sullivan) whom is in dire financial straits and who needs desperately for Fogg to fail.
I like the central three characters. They play off each other well and, as the relative relationships change over the story, they became my main reason for watching. I actually read the book to my young son not that long ago, and were forced to skip the odd section that takes place in an opium den, or descriptions of native Americans crushed under steam locomotives - so I can understand why they didn't do a straight adaptation. What they've replaced it with are a series of dramatic problems, perhaps even melodramatic would be a better term, as our heroes cross damaged Italian bridges, are lost at sea, fight the KKK and steal a priceless antique in Hong Kong. It's all fine, if perhaps a little uninspired.
It does feel rushed though. Eight episodes is perhaps not enough time to tell this sort of story (Willy Fogg took 26!) and whole countries are dashed over or ignored altogether. I'd have liked a little more travel struggles, rather than just the main epic problems too.
The finale does the surprising thing of hinting that the second season may adapt "20,000 Leagues under the sea" which would be an interesting story to push these characters into. Though I don't think this was particularly memorable I like those characters enough to be back for that one.
Wasting away in a London club, Phileas Fogg (David Tennant) is inspired by an article to attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days. He's accompanied by Abigail Fortescue (Leonie Benesch) who wrote the article and by Passepartout (Ibrahim Koma), a French Valet who is has his own reasons for wanting to get out of London in a hurry. As the trio attempt the journey, they face hazards to both their success and their lives. Particularly as Fogg has placed a wager with his old friend, Bellamy (Peter Sullivan) whom is in dire financial straits and who needs desperately for Fogg to fail.
I like the central three characters. They play off each other well and, as the relative relationships change over the story, they became my main reason for watching. I actually read the book to my young son not that long ago, and were forced to skip the odd section that takes place in an opium den, or descriptions of native Americans crushed under steam locomotives - so I can understand why they didn't do a straight adaptation. What they've replaced it with are a series of dramatic problems, perhaps even melodramatic would be a better term, as our heroes cross damaged Italian bridges, are lost at sea, fight the KKK and steal a priceless antique in Hong Kong. It's all fine, if perhaps a little uninspired.
It does feel rushed though. Eight episodes is perhaps not enough time to tell this sort of story (Willy Fogg took 26!) and whole countries are dashed over or ignored altogether. I'd have liked a little more travel struggles, rather than just the main epic problems too.
The finale does the surprising thing of hinting that the second season may adapt "20,000 Leagues under the sea" which would be an interesting story to push these characters into. Though I don't think this was particularly memorable I like those characters enough to be back for that one.
Good enough
Breezly26 January 2022
The story is one would expect if you made it this far. The needless display of 19th Century wokeness is so out of place. Shocking and regrettable it may be, but two unmarried people would not be dancing alone, much less two people of different races.
Here goes my rating for each episode
willfilm200126 July 2022
1. 4/10
2. 5/10
3. 4/10
4. 5/10
5. 5/10
6. 5/10
7. 6/10
8. 6/10.
I must admit that the last couple of episodes somehow improved in several ways and didn't leave such a bad taste in my mouth. The standard of the series has fluctuated from terrible to decent, but the actors have gotten more space as the series progresses, and the pace has generally calmed down.
I must admit that the last couple of episodes somehow improved in several ways and didn't leave such a bad taste in my mouth. The standard of the series has fluctuated from terrible to decent, but the actors have gotten more space as the series progresses, and the pace has generally calmed down.
Episode 8
Prismark109 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It's the journey's end. It looks like all Fogg needs to do is hop on a boat from New York to Liverpool. Then a train to London and off to the Reform club.
However I just found the whole thing too stop and start. If there was a race against time, it was contrived.
Fogg meets his lost love at the train station. Minutes seem to tick by like it was days.
Even when Fogg tries to rush to the ship. He bumps into Kneedling. A man who seems to have travelled around the world faster than Fogg.
What was Kneedling doing in New York? Fogg, Fix and Passepartout were presumed dead before they landed in America.
Surely he would had sailed home back to the UK.
Even getting to the Reform Club, Fogg stops needlessly. He even gives the wager money to the treacherous Bellamy even though he tried to have Fogg killed.
It was poorly structured and Fogg should had bought Bellamy down.
The final episode does set up a follow up journey. It looks like the centre of the earth which is 20,000 leagues under the sea.
However I just found the whole thing too stop and start. If there was a race against time, it was contrived.
Fogg meets his lost love at the train station. Minutes seem to tick by like it was days.
Even when Fogg tries to rush to the ship. He bumps into Kneedling. A man who seems to have travelled around the world faster than Fogg.
What was Kneedling doing in New York? Fogg, Fix and Passepartout were presumed dead before they landed in America.
Surely he would had sailed home back to the UK.
Even getting to the Reform Club, Fogg stops needlessly. He even gives the wager money to the treacherous Bellamy even though he tried to have Fogg killed.
It was poorly structured and Fogg should had bought Bellamy down.
The final episode does set up a follow up journey. It looks like the centre of the earth which is 20,000 leagues under the sea.
Extra stars for being the last episode
keithfmanaton5 January 2022
The dragging of time continues. More tedious 'journey sabotage' this time even more 'honest conversations'. Where was the creative story telling, character building and beautiful locations, of the original story? Another load of poor backlot sets and drab anonymous scenery. Even Hans Zimmer recycled the scores of the Sherlock Holmes films! Worst of all they're talking about making another!
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