Random Play by Graham Reid

some of the dialogue does seem to still belong in the mouths of children younger that the teens who are delivering it in this aged-up version

When I watched the DVD of the TV series, the twins seemed to be speaking like middle-aged farmers.

The Topps as uncredited script advisors?

Hi Graham, your link to the Elsewhere subscription page in fact leads to the contact page instead.

Speaking as one who thoroughly disliked the book - to my surprise as I've loved all Maurice Gee's adult fiction - I'm looking forward to being pleasantly surprised.

I'm almost as excited by the idea of seeing Under the Mountain as I am by the idea that The Halfmen of O is being made. Childhood dreams coming true there.

I loved the book as a kid and was terrified by the Wilberforces even in written form -- I'm sure they'd make fantastic movie monsters!!

Yes Grace and other folks, that is how you subscribe through the lin provided. Just fill in a few details and that be it. Done.
Just about to do the competition/giveaway for subscribers: concert tickets, a pack of CD and DVDs etc etc.
If you ain't in you can't win.
G

I'm sure they'd make fantastic movie monsters!!

Well I was terrified by Oliver Driver in person, so I'm expecting good things.

Ben: haha :-)
I always thought Oliver Driver was kinda cute and fluffy but then I've only seen him on tv.

I'd have said he was more sharp and angular. Looks and manner.

I'd say "looming"

I didn't know about Halfmen, but I can't say I'm surprised, given the success of other YA fantasy adaptations made around here.

Childhood dreams coming true there.

Yes, but you know it's never going to look as good as it does in your head. Halfmen is such a vividly written series that it's going to take work to replace my own mental images of the bloodcat, Jimmy Jaspers et al. Goodness knows how they'll film the completely pitch black underground bits.

Not take away any glory from Maurice (who is a writer I truly esteem) but the NZ series I'd deeply *love* to see filmed is the late & lamented Gayelyn Gordon's wonderful trilogy,which began with a short story, "Mist", and then went into the 3 books...she had a sharp & quirky sense of humour, and her characters - human & patupaiarehe, taniwha, and other Others - are utterly memorable...

(argh) GAELYN Gordon (just glanced at the cover of "River Song" which I am now rereading-)

Looking forward to Under the Mountain, I'm also impressed at the way it's snuck up without too much hype. I watched the TV show before i could read, then read it and found the book better, not expecting to have my mind blown having seen some slightly cheesy fire effects but the Wilberforce look like the real deal, and I recall loving the twist on the traditional sci-fi of the age. less laser guns, more twins with stones. Some super cool ideas there Gee.