Triumphrat

welshrob · 01-29-2010, 09:14 AM

I read the book when it first came out, loved it! I`m a bit of a closet survivalist and I have followed the genre with interest, ever since the BBC series "Survivors" which I have coincidentally just watched on DVD. I was very dissappointed with "I am legend" after watching Omega man so.... "The Road" has just been released in Aus, my question is to everyone that enjoyed the book, "Is the film worth watching?"

propforward · 01-29-2010, 09:31 AM

I don't know - but man you've picqued my interest now. Survivors was excellent - I also have the DVDs. I see that the BBC remade series 1 last year. Don't know if it was any good, but wouldn't mind seeing it.

"I am Legend" wasn't very good. The big difference between things like "legend" / "Omega Man" and "Survivors", is that the former concentrate on the fantastic, trying to shock with mutant zombies and so on. Survivors was much better, because it was realistic - almost total annhilation of the human race through a severe disease outbreak. This then gave them a fantastic backdrop to explore the meaner parts of human nature. Fighting to the death for a few gallons of petrol and some tinned food and so on - the inevitable power struggles in communes. But not just that - the difficulties in decision making. For instance enforcing law and order in a small commune - or when one guy gets a dog bite and everyone wants to kill him because he might be rabid.

Brilliant stuff, and since it's going to be freezing ass cold this weekend I think I might watch some survivors this weekend.

"The Road" I don't know about, but I'm going to look into it.

Blockhead · 01-29-2010, 03:54 PM

I finally read The Road last year and loved the story. I didn't fall head over heels with the writing style but the story was excellent.

The movie has been completed for a couple of years now. Why is it only now being released? I'm wanting to see if they hold true to the book

propforward · 01-29-2010, 04:34 PM

Did you ever read "The Death of Grass" another survivalist story, and pretty good. I understand they made a movie of that too, though I believe more of a B movie, forgotten about and most likely mediocre at best.

Blockhead · 01-29-2010, 06:44 PM

Haven't heard of that one. I'll have to check it out at the local Half-Priced Books...

welshrob · 01-29-2010, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propforward

Did you ever read "The Death of Grass" another survivalist story, and pretty good. I understand they made a movie of that too, though I believe more of a B movie, forgotten about and most likely mediocre at best.

I have quite a collection of post apocalyptic fiction novels, I started a book swap on a survivalist forum which went well for a while until it fizzled out. I can recommend "Swansong" by Robert McCammon and "Lucifers Hammer" by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, as two good originals. I`ve recently read "Deep Winter" and "Shatter" by Thomas Sherry, which are OK.

The whole survivalist and self sufficiency thing is more of a fun second hobby for me, than a lifestyle. Its a chance to learn about long forgotten skills like basic agriculture, hunting etc.

propforward · 01-29-2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blockhead

Haven't heard of that one. I'll have to check it out at the local Half-Priced Books...

If you find one, grab it. Last time I checked it was out of print, and was going for ridiculous money used (60 bucks for a used paperback silly).

steventhechef · 01-29-2010, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshrob

The whole survivalist and self sufficiency thing is more of a fun second hobby for me, .

Come and play at my place Rob, I'll set you free down in the back gully. See if you can make it back to the house!

I can send the dogs out after dark with the survival rum barrel.

Blockhead · 01-29-2010, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propforward

If you find one, grab it. Last time I checked it was out of print, and was going for ridiculous money used (60 bucks for a used paperback silly).

Wholly crap batman! Must be a good one to fetch that kind of bucks for a used one.

Nickwiz · 01-29-2010, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propforward

Did you ever read "The Death of Grass" another survivalist story, and pretty good. I understand they made a movie of that too, though I believe more of a B movie, forgotten about and most likely mediocre at best.

BBC radio 4 did a radio play of "The death of Grass" recently. Probably available on CD. Good for long car trips.

I have Len Deighton's Bomber. The Radio play is excellent. Not exactly on the same theme but seriously, if you like WW2 stories its a must. Probably the best book I've ever read.