BS: Terry Pratchett

Subject: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Pogo
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 02:39 PM

I'm in a babbling Pratchett fan mood. Gaw I love the Discworld series but I so want to see it on screen. For the Brits...heard anything? Movies or TV series? Anything?

Oh yes...I also heard that a radio play of Guards! Guards! has been done quite recently...is there anywhere I can download it or buy copies of it? I'd be very interested in hearing it.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 02:49 PM

"Wyrd Sisters" & "Soul Music" were done by Cosgrove Hall (Makers of Danger Mouse, Count Duckula & The BFG) as animations and shown on UK4 (the British 4th chanel)

The page linked above states that both are available on VHS or DVD

CHEERS

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 03:23 PM

Just checked, both available at Amazon

So cheaper copies may be available on E-bay

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 04:31 PM

They are indeed available on VHS and DVD, we have one of each and they are brilliant.

I've only found them in selected stores ('Borders' to be exact, they have a much larger selection of 'suitable for children' DVD/video) so a search on eBay is your best bet.

ISBN Numbers - 'Soul Music' 5028974104727 VHS Pub 1997
               'Wyrd Sisters' 0440078022724 DVD Pub 2000

Both were originally made in 1996. Hope this helps.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: kitchen piper
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 09:07 PM

Guards Guards is on BBC radio 7 at the moment.
You can hear it online.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/

There is usually a Pratchet at some point on!

:-))
VIcki

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 11:37 AM

Tere's always a danger with something like this that you'd lose the magic if you could see it. Having said that, the animated versions Nigel mentions were very good indeed, and the voices well chosen for the characters. Radio is the best medium for this kind of thing: the pictures are better, as the old saying has it (i.e. they are in your head, if you need that explained). Or you can get audio book versions, which can be excelent. Depends who's reading, thoiugh: I was disappointed with Celia Imrie's Wyrd Sisters, which was a surprise: she's a great character actress.

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: vectis
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 01:01 PM

The books are brilliant. My son gets each new one on as it is published and I get to read it after him.
The films were good as were the games but their pictures were nowhere near as good as the ones in my head.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Megan L
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 01:25 PM

quite a lot issued on talking books read by Tony Robinson great for long journeys.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 07:09 PM

Why, certainly, I'll have your whelk! How do we do it? Volume!

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: open mike
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 10:44 PM

oh good i am asking mylibrary about his books on tape or c.d. right now!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jul 04 - 09:08 AM

As long as they don't introduce dibbler brand sausages in a promotional campaign...

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: The Walrus
Date: 27 Jul 04 - 09:33 AM

I saw "Guard! Guards!" on stage once - I was most disappointed, come the interval they didn't have someone trying to sell sausageinnabun.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Jul 04 - 09:40 AM

the covers are wonderful, but like other Mudcatters I much prefer my own pictures. I really can't see how they can be filmed. Tho maybe Peter Jackson could do it?

I have 2 Discworld books beside me for reading later this week. Seems like every trip to the library I find a new one (or 2 or 3!!), but then I only started reading them a few weeks ago, & I can easily read a book a day.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 27 Jul 04 - 12:31 PM

It was like that for me, Sandra. Then I caught up, and ever since it seems I'm just waiting for him to finish another book. I wish he'd write faster!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 27 Jul 04 - 01:17 PM

Gratuitous Filk link

Nigel (not at all apologetic!)

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 27 Jul 04 - 11:26 PM

G'day Sandra and Nigel,

I have to get around to reading the latest (Hat Full of Sky) - even if Dymocks have it displayed in the 'Children's Books' section! I think Pratchett is going to do interesting things with Tiffany Aching (previously in Wee Free Men) ... maybe he's building a base for another generation of Discworld witches.

In the Discworld Companion (latest revision) Terry Pratchett mentions that he doesn't expect any non-animated film versions ... they would be seen as parodies of LOtR ... and nowadays first-time readers seriously accuse him of "stealing" from Harry Potter ... then, if he replies "But I wrote this in 1985 ... " they come back say: 'Oh! Are you accusing her of "stealing" from you ... ?' It's rather hard pointing out the breadth and depth of the genre ... but Pratchett draws on it all.

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: LadyJean
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 12:49 AM

My friend Karen met Terry Pratchett at the 2000 Worldcon. She is Wiccan and a big fan of his discworld books. So, she told him she wanted to be like Nanny Og. Pratchett said he could see her becoming Granny Weatherwax. Karen said she'd rather be like Nanny Og, because Nanny Og has sex. Mr. Pratchett was more than a little nonplussed by this.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Flash Company
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 07:25 AM

I have all the Pratchett's except A Hatful of Sky, although I don't think it will be long before I add that to the set.
Of the recent ones, I found Monstrous Regiment totally brilliant, anyone who has been in the Army would recognise most of the characters and situations in an instant.

FC

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 09:40 AM

steve - are you saying I'll run out of them one day? - eeeek, I can't believe it, how will I survive?

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: GUEST,Anne Croucher
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 11:47 AM

Well - if you read them enough and you dream as well as I do it is possible that Disc World places characters and situations will entertain you nightly - or however often your subconscious - unconscious? whatever mind requires - so you sort of run into rather than run out of the Discworld.

It can be really strange to be dreaming and realise not only that you are dreaming but where you are dreaming from.

My versions are a lot better than anything produced in other mediums.

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 11:58 AM

At least TP is still writing, Sandra: Patrick O'Brian died (but he did finish the last book first); Colin Dexter is still going, but he's killed off Morse; Patrick Cornwell ran out off Napoleonic wars and has had to start doing Sharpe prequels (which is playing the game, at any rate). I've lost touch with John Mortimer, so I've no idea if Rumpole is still doing the rounds, and my library has run out of Reginald Hill: even the BBC is showing repeats of Dalziel & Pascoe. There's quite a good forum attached to the OU Book Club, but I don't even try to keep up with them.

Somebody should write a song about this, then we couild all sing it and get it off our chests.

Steve
PS I'm the kind of insatiable reader who reads the back of the cereal packet when there's nothing else available, and since the age of seven I've been able to quote "Cette sauce de haute qualité est une melange des fruits et d'épices orienteaux ..."

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 12:28 PM

Yeah Bob,

They are drawing off the same genre tradtions. It might be possible that Rowling used some of the same devices as Pratchett (real witches dont get burned, talking wizard hats that sort of thing) and even had the ideas sparked from him but it is hardly stealing. The similarites are minimal, and because of the nature of l-space, a little overlap is inevitible.

I recently read "Hat Full of Sky" and loved it! He is really building Tiffany's character fast and I cant wait till he writes the next one.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Megan L
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 01:47 PM

Tiffany is ok but its time he used the wonderfully ambiguous relationship between Sam vimes and Havelock Vetinari again.

QUESTION
Who is your favourite character?
Where is your favourite place?
Which is your favourite relationship?
And What is your favourite situation?


Mine are
The Luggage
The Library
See above
Lance copral Carrot writing home about Reet and his lodgings.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: lady penelope
Date: 28 Jul 04 - 05:18 PM

The Librarian
Lancre
Sargeant Colon & Corporal Knobbs
Vetinari, Leonard de Quirm, Colon & Knobbs 'infiltrating' Klatch


Apart from that, I don't like either of the animations, nor the readings, nor the radio versions. I saw Guards,Guards! at the Hackney empire with Paul Darrow as Captain Vimes and it was a belter. The best bit was, during the scene that Vimes etc. are watching the dragon burn down half the city, someone behind the theatre bar dropped a crate of empty bottles. The audience's collective breath was held till Paul Darrow said, in a voice wracked with dread, "Tell me that wasn't Bearhuggers distillery?" Now that's an actor !   : )

TTFN Lady P.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 29 Jul 04 - 09:21 AM

I am *so* jealous - we don't get the radio plays.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 29 Jul 04 - 09:41 AM

I read Reaper Man today & have Moving Pictures to read tomorrow. Then nuffin' (my library better have another title when I visit on Saturday, that's all I can say. Maybe I'd better go to the main library rather than the small branch, I'd hate to be caught out this weekend without another one to read. Or two, or more.

sandra (not addicted at all)

And I have "Inspector Morse's Oxford' to read as well. The pictures looked good & it's the only way I'll get to see Oxford.

and furthermore, speaking of authors inconsiderate enough to die before they finish a book - did anyone ever read the work of 'A Lady" who had the bloody hide to finish one of Jane Austin's books? Finishing or continuing popular authors' books could make a whole thread of it's own.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Pogo
Date: 29 Jul 04 - 10:30 PM

Yep I have to say...movies are allright but nothing beats the book. That's why I was so glad I had read Lord of the Rings before seeing the movie...it was great finally seeing it on the big screen but they made me love and prefer the books even more because good as the movies were they just couldn't compare.

Being fond of old timey radio (Prarie Home Companion is a favorite when I can get it) I'd really enjoy hearing any of the Discworld series in a good radio play. As well as seeing it in the theater. *sigh* both seem to be underappreciated art forms in this day and age :( As for the radio plays it's really annoying...I can't seem to find radio play versions of any Discworld books on the internet anywhere. I checked the BBC radio link unfortunately I don't believe I have the plug-ins in order to listen to Guards! Guards!

grr...

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 30 Jul 04 - 09:34 PM

Speaking of Worldcons, Terry's the Guest of Honor at this year's Noreascon in Boston. Looking forward to catching a couple of his panels and his speech! 8-)

-- Gary

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 31 Jul 04 - 02:39 PM

At a small convention (Reminiscon) in Cardiff last Feb Feb 2002 Terry spent most of one afternoon while waiting to take centre stage sitting at ease in the coffee lounge chatting to about a dozen fans. Having met him several times before (including the 1990 & 1995 Worldcons(C)) I was happy to head off to the bar to natter with Dave Langford and a few others. But Terry was, as always, very approachable.
And I got a few nice photos of the occasion.

CHEERS

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Penny S.
Date: 31 Jul 04 - 07:00 PM

I used to use his books as a reward system while working through the OU. As in drop assignment through tutor's letter box at about 11.30 p.m. on deadline day, and pick up and read next book on D+1 before starting next unit on D+3. As it had taken me some time to discover them, I didn't have to wait for the new one to come out. I was also using the OU as a rationing system, as in, not buying the next one until I had submitted the assignment.

I'm very much enjoying the Tiffany books. The latest came out just in time for me to read the extracts concerning the girls'"relational bullying" to my class, who needed it just at that moment. (I had asked at a conference if the bookshop had anything helpful, but they said that books would be published next year - very helpful for last year's class.) Odd thing, the ring leader of my little bunch clearly identified herself with Tiffany, and recognised the bullying behaviour as something she had experienced from someone else. And I don't know who.

But the real reason I enjoy them is because of the Chalk - my great grandfather was a shepherd (we don't know if he had a hut, though). When he died, the local paper said that he had loved the sheep as much as his family. A bit ambiguous, that.

Penny

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: open mike
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 04:50 PM

sandra--do libraries in Syndney have inter library loans?
we can request a book from other branches and it will be
sent to our branch....ILL are great--ask your librarian..

we can aslo request movies, c.d., book on tape, videos
and microfilm.

good luck!!

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 05:27 PM

The stage play version of Mort is not as good as the book. Yhe Illustrated Eric disappointed.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 13 Feb 05 - 11:29 PM

Speaking of "Mort", it's currently running on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesdays from 11.00-11.30 Greenwich Mean Time. Unfortunately, 3 of the 4 parts have already aired, although you can listen to Part 3 (up until Part 4 begins) by clicking on the "Listen to the latest edition" link (you'll need Realpalyer or the BBC Radio Player). I think they've done a great job adapting it.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 14 Feb 05 - 12:32 AM

G'day open mike,

Sandra is sure to have exhausted all legitimate Library channels ... being a Librarian herself! And we do have good Inter Library Loan systems - Australia's past history really drew on the facilities of libraries, since it was a world away to Britain, Europe and America - a long way when it took even fast clipper ships six weeks, or more, to reach us.

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 13 Dec 10 - 12:50 PM

Going Postal, the movie
A good way to pass a few hours!

Charles Dance as Vetinari, a masterstroke.

Plus a cameo appearance from Terry right at the end.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Claire M
Date: 11 Jan 14 - 03:32 PM

Hiya,

Only got into TP cos of Steeleye's latest. Could've looked up plot of Wintersmithbefore gig but wanted to know more. Gig, book & cd all so stunning I know not which I prefer, though I think it may be the cd. Really pleased to find out TP was/is also a Spanner.

Dearly miss country upbringing, still know lots of lore (ye cannae argue w/ the lore!) Got 7 y/o collie, Merlin, who's really protective (I wuv im). Have wanted to be a witch since I was tiny.

Love the cartoons. Like sausageinnabun if they're proper sausages, as opposed to what family call "catering". ("if the sausage is too shiny/tied up @ the end, don't eat it") there's been quite a few people I'd've loved to call "noxious extrusion of the bowels"

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Mo the caller
Date: 12 Jan 14 - 08:42 AM

I had a badge saying "There will be Folk Dancing - at sword point if neccessary". Which is a bit like some of the weddings I call at :)

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Mo the caller
Date: 12 Jan 14 - 08:51 AM

I must say I opened this thread with "oh, no, not another one gone". So that's a relief.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 12 Jan 14 - 12:42 PM

Mo:
It's Ok. TP rolls on.
...



Although, if the roll's from C.M.O.T.Dibbler I'd watch out :)

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 12 Jan 14 - 04:35 PM

G'day again,

I gave "Raising Steam" to my wife Pat as a Christmas gift ... so I got round to reading it shortly after Christmas!

It's good stuff ... and it's great to see that's it just straight from Terry!

(All right, there's a world of difference between Terry's rather sentient prototype locomotive on the Discworld ( ... I've been reading too much about historical development of railways in Colonial Australia ... quite important to our folksongs ...) but we don't expect the Discworld to be a pallid imitation of historical Britain!

Regards,

BobB

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: keberoxu
Date: 24 Dec 16 - 04:03 PM

Regarding "The Shepherd's Crown," those of you who have yet to read it:
Before you read "The Shepherd's Crown," suggest you first read "Raising Steam," as the steam locomotive is something of a character in itself -- and has a sort of off-stage off-in-the-distance presence on the Chalk in "The Shepherd's Crown."

Just read "Reaper Man" at last, so now I know where Death-of-Rats (SQUEAK) comes from, which I did not know before. This is good to know, since one of my favorite "Hogfather" moments is Death-of-Rats trying to tell Susan that there is an emergency going on, and imitating Death as Hogfather:
"HEEK! HEEK! HEEK!"

When Terry Pratchett's writing makes me laugh, it really, really makes me laugh. The man himself may have gone to a better place, but his writing lives on.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: michaelr
Date: 24 Dec 16 - 06:51 PM

Good point, keb - it's the writing that's funny. It doesn't translate well to film, which must by necessity leave out most of it. I watched the (movie? TV series? not sure) of The Colour of Magic (with Sean Astin) and was not disappointed, because I expected it to fall short for that very reason.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Dec 16 - 11:16 AM

You are right, michaelr, about the verbal emphasis -- maybe audiobooks and radio are the way to go.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: Hollowfox
Date: 25 Dec 16 - 05:22 PM

I agree, keberoxu. by the way, Death-of-Rats is my wallpaper here on my home Computer.

Subject: RE: BS: Terry Pratchett
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Dec 16 - 08:27 PM

Not everybody likes "The Last Hero," but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Everybody from Rincewind to Captain Carrot got in on that one, and we got an extended visit to Dunmanifestin, another witticism that always amuses me. I read the illustrated version, and in my opinion the detailed artwork enhanced the book greatly; but what was in the artwork was, admittedly, described in considerable verbal detail, bringing us back to the writing at the core of the book.