A few years before he turned 007, Pierce Brosnan gave another literary hero no less legendary: Phileas Fogg may not be as well known as James Bond, but his adventure is world famous. Because he is the protagonist of the popular, oft-filmed novel “Around the World in 80 Days” by Jules Verne.
Brosnan took on the role of the gallantly dressed adventurer in a lavish, internationally produced three-part television series. Brosnan’s journey “Around the World in 80 Days” has been published several times in Germany, but the 4.5 hour orbit around the world has only recently reached the HD world: Starting this week, “Around the World in 80 Days” is finally available on Blu-ray and as a new DVD edition:
Good to know: The TV classic has been dubbed into German twice. If you prefer one of the two versions for nostalgic reasons, don’t worry: In addition to the English original sound, the Blu-ray and the new DVD edition also both contain German dubbed versions.
“Around the world in 80 days”: 007 meets “Monty Python” star
1892: English gentleman Phileas Fogg makes an almost insane bet! He wants to travel the world in just 80 days. He embarks on this perilous journey with his butler Passepartout (Eric Idle), and he also has an unwanted pursuer: insurance agent Wilbur Fix (Peter Ustinov), who thinks Fogg is a devious bank robber…
In addition to acting legend Peter Ustinov, the not yet Bond Brosnan and British comedy veteran Eric Idle of the “Monty Python” troupe, this “Around the World in 80 Days” adaptation features a host of other big names. The adventurers cross paths with “Planet of the Apes” star Roddy McDowall, Bond girl Jill St. John and Robert Wagner, known for “The Pink Panther” and later the “Austin Powers” trilogy.
Christopher Lee also stars in the three-part film, making him one of the most famous villainous actors in movie history – whether as a bloodsucker, a Bond villain, a “Star Wars” villain or a “Lord of the Rings’ antagonist. Incidentally, the nearly five-hour adventure around the world was filmed in Macau, Hong Kong, Thailand and Yugoslavia – and of course in England.