I've been enjoying Luther, BBC America TV series lately - I am fan of both Idris Elba & Ruth Wilson. Thought the Brit. accents might be too difficult to follow show, but no troubles. It's edge-of-my-seat/chilling/fascinating psychological crime/drama/suspense thriller. In doing some web browsing, came across the above thread title series: Life on Mars & see there are 2 versions. I like all the actors in the US version, except for Harvey Keitel (too much...sometimes a subtle performance works better.) Not watching both! Also, thinking, along the lines of Luther, that US series are tamer, overall ~ with that in mind, thinking the same might apply here & that if I went w/the US version, might miss things that are in the UK version...or, will I not "get" the UK version, not being from Manchester or anywhere else in England; though it hasn't kept me from enjoying Luther. Please let's discuss w/out making the thread an international incident! Thanks!! I'll provide the trailers for each, below: Do note, the UK version grabs attention immediately w/opening song! 1 ponit ahead for that! BBC - Life On Mars - Trailer
I've seen both and happen to have just rewatched the UK version (again) this week. I still have the US version but really don't watch beyond the pilot when I go back to it. John Simm and Philip Glenister have a chemistry that Harvey Keitel and Jason O'Mara just didn't replicate. Plus (no spoilers) they totally changed the ending of the US version to wrap the characters once its cancellation was announced. The UK version had a satisfying ending, but it didn't rule out the continuation of three of the main 1973 characters, who are absolutely worth following for 24 more episodes in Ashes to Ashes.
I only know the original from the UK and that is great! Like @slinkyfarm I'd recommend "Ashes to Ashes" as well! "Fire up the Quattro!"
The US version really used music well, very evocative soundtrack of the time. DOes the U.K. Do the same? Shouldn't this be in Visual Arts section, might get more responses.
Thanks! I'd had no idea about the Visual Arts section. Figured it belonged here...had seen other thread re: entertainment UK/US so that's why I entered it here. The UK version looks to utilize music splendidly! I'm sure the soundtracks to both are excellent; I usually tend toward British w/music taste. (Hahah ~ I think I'm working out the answer, from reading kind post-ers & writing this! ) . I'll post this clip of trailer I'd seen, b/c it also looks to be amusing, as well! Very tongue-in-cheek...Between the first trailer I'd viewed, music & this clip, I am veering UK. Thank you all for responding!! Feel free to keep it going...I'll be checking back!
The luxury of our Time is to have access to both, watch both. Where are these both available? AMazon? Netflix?
UK version, not just because it's better (which it is, IMHO), but also because you can then watch Ashes to Ashes and get the conclusion of the story.
Saw both and liked both, although it has been some time. But the UK version is better imho. More dark and edgy, while the American one has that optimistic, sunshine element that we all love over here. I did like that the American one took place in 1970s NYC while I do not even remember the UK setting. But the UK version still prevails. UK: A US: B+
Exactly what I was thinking. I believe it's because the USA version is the typical acting we've seen over the last 20 years or so of predictable plot lines with overly emotional grunting, yelling and screaming dialog in some vein attempt to create a bigger picture to suffice a lacking story line. It kind of sucks it's not even available on Netflix, but if it were I know I'd be tuning into the UK version for sure.
The UK version, as noted above the chemistry of John Simm and Phillip Glenister, and the followup series of Ashes to Ashes, where Glenister is even better (if possible) with his usual crew and the addition of Bolly, Keeley Hawes as Drake. Just an awesome pair of shows with a brilliant finale.
Never got to see the US version, so can only say that the original UK and it's follow up I would consider just about, if not, the most engrossing and enjoyable TV I've ever seen.
Slam-Dunk for UK version!!! It does seem as though UK delivers straight-up better (i.e. Luther being like no US psychological crime drama/thriller). Watching The Fix now & while friends won't watch that too late (nightmares) - for me, after Luther, that's like watching Cinderella!! Not that I need the life scared out of me on a daily basis! The closest US has gotten, I think, is the series Life, which I also just happened upon fairly recently. Have watched Season 1 & will begin Season 2 soon. Received a gift of Stranger Things, so may begin that viewing first. Did just make a bid on UK: Life on Mars!!! Thanks, again! For anyone who likes either of these shows, you may enjoy Life, too. I have no idea how I was not ever aware of this show. I've seen Damien Lewis in Billions & some movie...like him but not Billions. Sarah Shahih co-stars & I like her from Fairly Legal & Reverie. I'll post clip. Warning: Some commentors on youtube say it contains spoils. I don't agree. I purchased based on viewing the trailer & it didn't ruin anything for me. We can keep thread going for any UK &/or BBC America programming discussions!..&/or US crime/thriller/sci-fi series. (Also, just got Travelers (Canada/Netflix) & Humans (looks to be in England; don't know what programming platform originally)!...so, now there's bound to be an onslaught of great US programming!!). Just w/out spoils (or w/warning); it's doable. Anther fantastic psychological crime suspense thriller movie is: The Last Time w/Michael Keaton, Brendan Fraser & Amber Valleta. I thought it was fantastic; didn't understand why this was not a major release ...Outstanding performances! The Last Time movie trailer
Really enjoyed the US version. I liked how they switched certain references to make it more US-centric (Croce instead of Bolan, Miracle Mets, etc). And, though I'm in a minority on this, I really thought they came up with a clever ending to wrap up show when it was abruptly cancelled.
I liked them both. Saw the U.S. one first. Not sure which one I would recommend though. One thing I noticed is that unlike on U.S. TV where the actresses are all underweight, the women in the Brit version look more healthy and normal, not like what we are used to seeing on American shows.
Do you watch foreign TV-shows with subtitles as well? "Humans" is a remake of the Swedish tv show "Äkta människor" (Real Humans) and that one is just fantastic. I loved it. I don't know about the British remake but remakes of Scandinavian shows tend to be inferior.
I watched both and the UK version is far superior. The US version was cancelled before the first season was even finished. The finale they came up with was completely different than the original and the stupidest thing I've ever seen.
