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Reviewspreviews
Around the World in 80 Days
Eric Idle, Peter Ustinov and a pre-Bond Pierce Brosnan combine to bring alive the century old Jules Verne’s novel — Around the World in 80 Days – as a mini series for TV, now available in a two-DVD box set. Although this adaptation was made in the late ’80s, it is entertaining even today, as it depicts the novel successfully.
Brosnan stars as Phileas Fogg — a typical 1880s Englishman, who prides himself on his unfailing punctuality. He wagers a fortune with the members of the reform club, believing that a man can travel around the world in 80 days and undertakes the journey with his French servant Jean Passépartout (Idle) to prove his theory correct. Incidentally, the Bank of England is robbed at the time and Detective Fix (Ustinov) suspects Fogg has used the wager to flee the country. With aeroplaes not yet invented, a cat and mouse chase begins via trains, ships, balloons and even an elephant, leading the trio from England to England with trouble in between.
During the quest, Fogg also falls in love with the very beautiful Princess Aouda (Julia Nickson), rescuing her from a senseless Indian ritual. While Fix, after becoming their travel companion, uses every tactic to delay their journey, the viewer is left bewildered beyond words as a brilliant twist in the tale unfolds itself.
Brosnan is as stone-faced as Fogg was devised to be by Jules Verne and uses common sense, even at bizarre times. Loads of extras are used to give the 1880s feel while alterations such as Fogg meeting the James Brothers or the Emperor of China along with guest appearances from renowned actors like Christopher Lee, Sir John Mills, Robert Wagner and many more give a fresh feeling to the mini series. This box set provides five hours of non-stop entertainment as Fogg’s simply-anxious-to-leave attitude hooks you to a journey you’ve never taken, but would surely enjoy. — Omair Alavi
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