Troll Bridge

Adapted from the 1991 short story of the same name written by Terry Pratchett for 'After the King: Stories In Honor of J.R.R. Tolkien' - published to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Tolkien's birth - this short film made by Snowgum Films finds Cohen the Barbarian (Don Bridges) and his talking horse (Glenn Van Oosterom) heading off to battle a bridge troll.  However, instead of fighting the two fall into reminiscing about the changes in the land and their dissatisfaction with this new (disc)world they find themselves in.

The film-makers make good use of their crowdfunded budget and the scenery is suitably epic and Cohen is suitably decrepit. The animation of the trolls is understandably limited but not to the extent that it mars what is a sympathetic and enjoyable glimpse of the Discworld.

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Wyrd Sisters

Based on Terry Pratchett's book of the same name this animated adaptation was made in 1997 by Cosgrove Hall Films, home of Danger Mouse, Count Duckula & the Doctor Who animation, Scream of the Shalka.  Sticking closely to the plot of the book (Granny wouldn't have had it any other way) it tells to tale of the murder of Verence, the King of Lancre by the deeply unsuitable and unstable Duke Felmet and of the three witches - Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg and Magrat Garlick - who hide the King's infant son, Tomjon, and protect both him and the - very angry - land until he comes of age.

There's a nicely rustic quality to the animation, if you've grown up on high budget animations from the likes of Studio Gibli and Pixar you may find it all a little crude but for those of us of the Roobarb generation that's, at least, half the appeal.  The voice cast is top notch with the likes of Christopher Lee (DEATH), Jane Horrocks (Magrat), June Whitfield (Nanny Ogg) and Annette Crosbie (Granny Weatherwax) all perfectly cast but I'm less (much less) enamoured of Les Dennis' performance as The Fool.  The joy though is of course the source material which Cosgrove Hall treat with the utmost respect and which the extended run time allows all the space it needs.

I have to admit that I've never been much of a fan of the Discworld books but in recent months I've been having another go (on audio) and have discovered a real fondness for the books featuring the witchy trio with this one being a particular favourite, it's Shakespearean allusions never failing to raise a chuckle from me and hopefully from you too.

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Affiliate links are provided for your convenience and to help mitigate running costs.

Good Omens on Radio 4

It's just been announced earlier today (September 5th) that BBC Radio 4 are going to follow up their successful dramatisation of Neil Gaiman's 'Neverwhere' with an adaptation of his and Terry Pratchett's 'Good Omens'.

I absolutely adore 'Good Omens'. First time I read it I laughed so hard that I honestly thought I'd damaged my throat at one point.  The BBC have always been top notch at radio plays - if you at all doubt me on this go and check out the Sherlock Holmes series they did with Clive Merrison and Michael Williams for a masterclass of the genre - and with a cast like the one announced this should be a real treat.

more info at the link.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/r4-good-omens