The Day of the Triffids is a renown classic of sci-fi literature. I was aware of the book due to my father having read it back in the 70s when he was in school but didn't know much else. All I knew was it featured walking plants that could kill people. It didn't sound particularly appealing when I heard about it but as I got older I realised that I recognised the author, John Wyndham. He had written The Midwich Cuckoo' (which the Village of the Damned series of movies is based on) and The Chrysalis, which I had read.
It was whilst I was browsing my local CEx (Computer Exchange) in Tonbridge a couple of years ago that I came across the DVD of the 1981 BBC serial production. I have a penchant for cult TV series as you may know (check the other cult series I have reviewed in the links below if you want a quick catchup) so I bought it and it joined my 'pile of shame' where it sat until the pandemic and lack of WiFi gave me cause to finally visit the DVD. There were no excuses now not to view this series and I'm glad I did.
The story revolves around the eponymous plants, which are farmed for its use in the production of oil. The plants escape from a farm and kills people after a meteor shower renders most of the world blind. Society quickly crumbles as only a few people are left with their sight and it is in this scenario that our lead, Bill Masen, a Triffid Farmer/ biologist who was injured and had his eyes bandaged and so kept his sight, seeks to survive in this apocalyptic and dystopia world. The beginning is very 28 Days Later as Bill walks around the silent hospital and then the quiet streets of his city.
Now the premise is pretty standard sci-fi fare; something dreadful escapes the lab and changes the world into a preppers wet dream, but what makes this story interesting is the focus on the human angle. There is no deus ex machina that fixes the world and the protagonist gets beaten up trying to stop gangs from raping, pillaging and hunting the blind. It is quite unflinching in its portrayal of the downfall of society.
The actors are all relative unknowns, at least to me, however my wife was convinced that one of the small roles was played by a guy from Howard's Way, but they act with such earnestness and conviction that it doesn't matter. You empathise and feel for them as they are being hunted down by walking rhubarb. The special effects could have been silly or ridiculous but the fact that we rarely see the Triffids, and when we do the cinematography presents them at an interesting angle, means the production has aged well and can be appreciated as a period piece. The introduction credits are spooky sounding and quite eerie until a lady gets hit on the face with a quite-obvious foam stinger (see the video below at 37 seconds).
Having watched quite a few of these cult TV serials what I find holds up the most are the shows with an economy of design; it is the silences and the moments of tension that bring classic BBC productions much acclaim. Much like 'The Stone Tapes' and 'Children of the Stones', this series does not have much in the way of music but the uncomfortable silence lends the proceeding an air of ever present dread.
At 6 episodes, Day of the Triffids clocks in at just over 2 1/2 hours but it is time well spent. The series is a time capsule to show the fashion, hairstyles and Cold War fears of the 80s but, more importantly, it is a good example of what can be done when you create a human story within a sci-fi setting that is not demanding on production or special effects. This is a masterclass in the story being king.
LINK- Dead of Night: Cult TV Review
LINK- Children of the Stones: Cult TV Series Review
LINK- The Stone Tapes: Cult TV Review
