Kevin's Watch

I don't watch alot of TV, but I've gotten the feeling in the last few years that cable series like The Sopranos, Rescue Me, Weeds and others would be an angle by which producers could tackle the extremely complex Covenant series. Without having to cram all the information of the book into a 2-3 hour vision, a 15-20 episode series could do much more: Flesh out the backgrounds of characters (LOST does this quite well from what I'm told) in specific episodes, reveal plotlines as needed without being restrained by concrete chronologies, explore Land history and KEEP THE EMPHASIS ON CHARACTER, which is what I believe makes the series so compelling.
I loved the movies made of Lord of the Rings, but would the books and the memory of Tolkien have been better represented if the constraints of moviegoers' attention spans hadn't been a factor? And Peter Jackson's little additions/omissions/revisions (which many found insulting and trite) would have been lessened and/or rendered completely unnecessary.
I think that given Mr. Donaldson's enthusiasm for a screen adaptation to be made, along with his desire to remain in an advisory role only, would allow for a magnificent and compelling adult series to be made for cable TV. And with the dark themes of today's entertainment, the success of LotR and Narnia and Harry Potter as proof, I think the time is ripe for a real, honest to goodness faithful adaptation of one of the best fantasy stories ever created to be brought to the screen!

You're right, as far as we're concerned. Unfortunately, the cable networks would be hesitant to spend the money on such an unknown series.

If it were pitched correctly to the right person at the right cable network.... you never know. The problem is that the FX budget to make it look right would probably make it too expensive... the premium channels (that would be least wary of the subject matter) would balk at the FX expense, since they don't get any ad money. The 'tier' cable networks might be the best place.

DW

Its the same sort of idea that many of us "Dark Tower" efficianados have tried to advance. The DT books, like the TC books are too involved and complex (and frankly too adult) to simplify into a movie format.

I can't imagine the rape of Lena being removed from the story as it would likely have to be for a big screen adaptation. It is central to the entire series of books.

Exactly. The rape has to stay, and it needs to be very clear.

Lets hope it has more than the ten dollar budget that most of those crappy movies have.

And yes the rape is pivitol to the story.

I still think the cable networks could jump on it, they just need the right pitch. It would be the first fantasy series of its kind, and its dark subject matter would fit right in with the current cable series offerings. I guess the "hero" in Rescue Me raped somebody this season... The Sopranos whack people all the time... I think that the key element in all these series is the complexity of the characters, which is the main reason I find Covenant so fascinating. I think that the cable companies might actually think that their viewers are halfway intelligent (as opposed to big Hollywood studios who feel--somewhat rightly so--that their audiences are sheep).
So... Any good pitchmen out there? And yes, the rape has to be in there, no question. It is a necessary evil, if you will, and crucial to every aspect of the story.

OK,Slipperypick, having the Sci-Fi channel do TC is a great idea.They did UNBELIEVABLY well with DUNE.That remains to this day my favorite rendition of Frank Herbert's wonderful tale.I do agree with you there they would not be constrained by time limits and could stretch it out to 6 hours per book easily.T Total B.A. selection there................

Sorry to re-post but the rape of Lena would have to be in the film to translate the suffering by TC in the story, otherwise it's just parlor pink........

spacemonkey wrote:OK,Slipperypick, having the Sci-Fi channel do TC is a great idea.They did UNBELIEVABLY well with DUNE.That remains to this day my favorite rendition of Frank Herbert's wonderful tale.I do agree with you there they would not be constrained by time limits and could stretch it out to 6 hours per book easily.T Total B.A. selection there................

Agreed, I think the best chance for this would be on SCi-Fi.

Yep, the only question is how would they get the PROPER funding to do justice to SRD's tale?They would have to have a moderate budget for SFX, CGI,etc.. Then have enough available funds to still pay good quality talent to play the parts.....

I've already rambled at length on this subject elsewhere, but the short version is: I'll watch any adaptation of the Chronicles, be it TV or film, but I personally wish for a big screen treatment.

big screen = dumbing down, studio cut by numbers. i like the cable idea, didn't the Rome series have a big budget?

Well the could get Peter Jacksons Software to make the armies I heard it was only 85K to get, of course that might have changed since I heard that.

or somebody could slip Peter Jackson a set of the Chronicles?

Peter Jackson is an overrated director. I thought his LOTR was a disappointment, I can't bear watching it again on DVD.

I agree with the idea of a cable series over a movie. Show each book over an entire season.

Baracka wrote:Peter Jackson is an overrated director. I thought his LOTR was a disappointment, I can't bear watching it again on DVD.

I agree with the idea of a cable series over a movie. Show each book over an entire season.

To each their own. But the success of LotRs is such that any adaptation of TC is likely NOT to make it on the big screen. I find it difficult for any producer to see beyond the "ring" aspect of TC. Plus, there is much in the content that a film maker would be tempted to remove.

Peter Jackson is an overrated director. I thought his LOTR was a disappointment, I can't bear watching it again on DVD.

Actually, I loved the movie adaptation. I read the books at least three times as well. I am usually very critical of books from movies, but I have no Issue with Peter's movie adaptation at all.