Jules Gabriel Verne, known in Portuguese-speaking countries as Jules Verne, is one of the greatest writers of all time and practically the father of science fiction. His works have already been translated to several countries around the world and have also won the universe of cinema, television and video games.
The newest work by Jules Verne to win an adaptation was Around the World in 80 Days by the BBC – available in Brazil at Globoplay. the story goes Phileas Fogg, a methodical London aristocrat. In 1872, after being confronted by a postcard and his rival Nyle Bellamy, he decides to step out of his comfort zone and accepts the challenge of crossing the globe in just 80 days.
This adaptation of the book of the same name, has some differences to the original, but that nothing disturbs those who have already read it, on the contrary, it ends up being enriching. And even those who have never read a work by Jules Verne, there is a great opportunity to check out this miniseries and then get to know this and other adventures narrated by the writer.
Read too: Review | Around the world in 80 days
Among the differences is the glaring and unsubtle presence of a black Passepartout, instead of a white or Chinese one (2004 film with Jackie Chan). the french actor Ibrahim Koma shows an unusual ease in bringing Fogg's valet to life, as he is no longer just a secondary character to often become the protagonist during the episodes, especially those that show parts of a 'revolution' in France and racism in the USA .
Another difference from the book – without spoilers – is the character of the actress. Leonie Benesch, who plays Abigail Fix. In the book, Fix is a detective who chases Fogg around the world. In the miniseries, she is a journalist who accompanies the duo to tell the world about Fogg's adventures.
Having a strong and independent woman on this adventure is a good contrast to an even more patriarchal world where women could practically not exercise any type of profession, especially that of journalist. The main role was played by David Tennant. The Scottish actor and famous for the series Doctor WhoJessica JonesDucktales, among others, shows a very different Phineas Fogg.
If in the book we have a typical English aristocrat, but differentiated by thinking beyond the people of his time, in the miniseries Fogg is much more reserved and with serious problems with his past, in addition to emotional ones. The character suffers from bullying and this has serious consequences for his life.
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This new adaptation ends up updating in a sensational way – which even deserved a book -, the story and its characters, by criticizing the way the West sees the East, placing it as a society that is often 'dumb' and without history. And several times, the script demonstrates this as a slap in the face, even more so by showing what happens historically in each part of the world while Phineas Fogg tries to win his bet.
Around the World in 80 Days it is one of the best adaptations ever made, keeping the basis of the book, but at the same time updating the work for the new world we live in today. And also already confirm a second season, which will bring the same actors to a new adaptation of Jules Verne. The most interesting thing is how this will be done, since the production seems to want to “create” a Shared Universe of Jules Verne, something even simple, since his works take place with little difference in years.
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