Gulliver’s Travels

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The timeless story by Jonathan Swift, titled Gulliver’s Travels, has been remade for the silver screen numerous times since motion pictures were first created (such as the 1939 animated film pictured above). However, it appears that our dear traveler Lemuel Gulliver is preparing to embark on a journey through television screens in an upcoming adaptation by Oscar-nominated Uberto Pasolini. This Italian writer, director, and producer is best recognized for bringing The Full Monty to the big screen; he developed the concept which Simon Beaufoy later wrote and Peter Cattaneo directed. Unlike previous adaptations of this tale, this one seems to emphasize the original story’s satirical aspects more prominently.

Based on a recent report from Variety, British screenwriter William Ivory (known for “We Want Sex” and “The Great Escaper”) is planned to write all six episodes of the project. However, it’s Pasolini who will take on the role of showrunner. This series is being marketed as a premium production, boasting an impressive international background: Roberto Sessa from Italy (known for “The Sea Beyond”) and Jan Wünschmann from Germany (known for “The Swarm” and “Concordia”) are both listed as producers. Notably, the show doesn’t currently have any broadcasters or streaming platforms associated with it, but it’s expected to present the series to potential broadcasters at an upcoming festival.

Pasolini expressed to Variety that his fascination with the project stemmed from a desire for amusement and exploration, much like how Swift approached his work in his time.

In my perspective, Gulliver’s Travels offers us an opportunity to create something truly engaging today. Similar to Swift in his era, it allows us to discuss matters close to our hearts – the world we live in, political landscapes, the concept of greed, the role of Western man globally, and the delicate balance between man and nature. These themes were all present in the original work. It seems as though they are calling out for reinterpretation. Swift was known for his humor, his satire, his use of scatological elements, his fascination with ships, sex, and crude language – all of which he skillfully wove into his narrative.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that life’s journey isn’t devoid of its own cinematic twists: it seems yet another TV series based on a classic, public-domain tale is in development. Can’t wait to unravel the details? Stay tuned.

There’s Another ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ Television Show in the Works, Too

Despite Pasolini’s rendition being based on earlier times, it may face rivalry in terms of fame and infamy due to Federation Studios’ own television adaptation of the story, penned by Emmy-winning writer Tom Bidwell (known for My Mad Fat Diary, Watership Down, The Irregulars). Titled The Gullivers, this contemporary reimagining of the story shares similarities with the Jack Black-starred version from 2010.

For Millennials, a reminder of the 1996 miniseries featuring Ted Danson might bring back memories. Interestingly, Pier Paolo Pasolini played a part in that Hallmark production, which garnered an impressive five Primetime Emmy Awards. Ferdinand Dohna, another team member, expressed his initial excitement about the project as, “This is going to be entertaining for all ages, something everyone can appreciate,” further stating that it’s not just family-friendly but also contains elements of subversion, a trait kids seem to adore in stories.

Now we’ll just have to wait and see who gets to our screens first!

Variety

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2025-03-27 02:32