Around the World in 80 Days

I am diverting from my Montgomery Mondays this week because I re-discovered one of my favourite stories this week by accident, and have to write about it!

Around the World in Eighty Days is, in my humble opinion, an incredible story, which could only have been concieved by the eminent writer, Jules Verne.  First published in 1873, it follows an unlikely hero in his tour around the globe, a globe which must be of historical interest to readers today, since the book reflects the state of the British Empire at that time.

Phileas Fogg is a rather eccentric, ever British gentleman, who just happens to get into an arguement with some random from his club, an arguement that leads him to make a bet that the globe can be traveled around in a mere 80 days (remember folks, the airplane wasn't around yet).  He sets out to proove it, along with his French valet.  Along the way he is faced with many adventures, which test his stoic and precise outlook on life.  He travels to Dover, then across the continent, to India.  In India, the practice of burning widows on the funeral pires of their husbands was still very much alive in the country, and Fogg and his friends stumble across such a ceremony being performed.  And of course, they save the poor hapless widow, who turns out to be a young and beautiful woman, and who ends up having feelings for Mr.Fogg that extend beyond gratitude.  To add some suspense to the trip (as if the fact that one good wind storm could have lost Fogg the whole wager and cost him his life savings wasn't enough), the British authorities suspect him of being a bankrobber and have detectives stationed at all British outposts across the globe looking for him.  So will Fogg win his bet?  And will he discover his love for the Indian beauty before it is too late? (Cough - Spoiler - obviously).   It's just a great old book, just as appealing to guys than girls, and one that has earned its good reputation.  :)

There have been several film adaptations of Around the World in 80 Days, the most recent of which was a Jackie Chan spin-off version.  Yeah, crazy, where does Jackie Chan fit into a story from a French author in the 1800s?  Well, I'll tell you - Jackie Chan stands in for Fogg's French Valet, and turns out to be the bank theif that Fogg is mistaken for in the book.  But he didn't steal 30000 pounds, no not Jackie.  He stole...drumrole...A JADE BUDDHA.  Yup.  Well despite the fact that this movie ruins the entire story, it is actually quite a funny journey, which I would recommend provided one does not associate it too closely with the book.  Call it a parody.  Whatever it is, Jackie Chan is always fun to watch, and Steve Coogan puts in an solid eccentric performance as Fogg, with a special appearance from none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger (who clearly doesn't mind having a laugh at himself), Luke and Owen Wilson, Rob Schnieder, and John Cleese.  So you're wondering if there will be laughs?  Look at the names and judge for yourself.  It definitly made for some great inside jokes in my family.  :)

There was a 1956 version made which is perhaps the most famous, starring David Niven, which won Best Picture of the year.

But the difinitve film, which I would most highly recommend, is one that has lost its stature with age, though not its brilliance.  It is a 1989 miniseries production which, though it does alter the story slightly, stays true to the spirit of the adventure like no other.  And it stars Peirce Brosnan.  Which really, is reason enough for anyone to watch it.  The role acts as a hilarious backdrop to his Bond fame, for as you may see if you watch the series, Fogg just doesn't know how to throw a punch.  But it is EXTREMELY well acted, if a bit long at parts, and is well worth digging up from the vault and watching.  It too has some cameos by famous actors, most noteably from Christopher Lee, who initiates the bet which sends us following Fogg on his journey.

And since no story is ever worth anything until Mickey notices it, it is worth mentioning that yes, there is a Mickey, Donald and Goofy version out there.  :)  Do you have 12 minutes to spare?  If you do, watch it.  Maybe Jules Verne would be horrified....but who could possibly judge Mickey?!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ck-M3ToZk4

Travelling around the world in 80 days was once an impossible feat.  But the world has, metaphorically, gotten smaller since those days.  You could definitly do it in under a week now.  That is, if you were as rich as Mr. Fogg.  But never, never could you encounter such adventure by stumbling groggily through english-speaking airports around the globe.  No no, Fogg's voyage defined the epic reality of world travel, and has entertained millions of readers, and film watchers, in the doing.