Day of the Triffids to be revived with filming at Winchester Cathedral (From Daily Echo)

Day of the Triffids to be revived with filming at Winchester Cathedral

11:42am Thursday 22nd January 2009 in

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IT is a cult classic that terrified a generation of children.

The idea of the vast majority of the world waking up blind and the survivors being stalked by man-eating plants caused many a sleepless night for impressionable young TV viewers.

Now the BBC is set to revive memories of its 1981 science fiction series The Day Of The Triffids with a new version for the 21st century.

Parts of the two-part drama will be filmed at one of the most idyllic and tranquil spots in Hampshire next month.

A film crew will take over the 12th century church and almshouses at the Hospital of St Cross in Winchester.

The adaptation of John Wyndham’s 1951 novel – which foresaw a postapocalyptic world in which fictional plants were capable of uprooting themselves and displaying animallike behaviour – will hit television screens later this year.

Piers Armstrong, general manager at the hospital, told the Daily Echo: “I don’t believe that they’re going to be having the plant-like Triffids strolling across St Cross meadows!

“I expect on the film you’ll see them on St Catherine’s Hill, but I think they’ll be computer-generated. I don’t think it’s anything for dog walkers to fuss about.”

He said the 21 brothers who live at the hospital – retired men who are usually either single, divorced or widowed – have been made aware of the filming.

He added: “We do of course keep the brothers informed and they know it’s going to be three days of intense activity, but we have been advised that while the film crew is here they’ll be based at the Bar End Park and Ride site.”

A 45-strong crew, six actors and around 20 extras will descend on the historic site but Mr Armstrong said filming would be fitted around services at the church.

The modern day version of the film, which is set in 2011, will be screened on the BBC as a 90-minute two-part drama. It will be penned by ER and Law and Order writer Patrick Harbinson.

Julie Gardner, the BBC Wales head of drama, said: “The Day of the Triffids is a classic title. I’m excited that its powerful story is being remade for television. We’re hoping to attract a legion of fans as well as give nightmares to a new generation of viewers.”