MovieChat Forums > Foyle's War (2003) Discussion > Let's cast an American version: Who woul...

Let's cast an American version: Who would you pick?


It could take place in California. Some small town outside of L.A. would be good.

America didn't have the bombs and direct threat that England faced but it could still cover the same social issues brought about by the War.

I think David Strathairn would be a brilliant "American Foyle".

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I agree, David Straithrain would be an excellent choice.

However, rather than use a well known (and well worn) location, I propose that a locale reminiscent to the obscurity of Hastings, UK. and Los Alamos, New Mexico be instead chosen. There are plenty of obscure 'no-name' small towns and/or cities conveniently located to large cities.

For instance, the Puget Sound area is chock full of the kinds of towns that Stephen King loves to write about: Gig Harbor, Bremerton (a Navy base no less!), there are tons of towns that were farm land in the 40's, Puyallup, etc.

My point is that they are ALL within a 3 hour drive of the Hanford Nuclear Site. How's that for intrigue? I may be misinformed but I believe that until recently, it was a very well kept secret that Hanford and Los Alamos were connected. In fact, as far as the public was concerned, nothing was going on at Hanford at all! thus, any activity in the Northwest was remote and seemingly unrelated to activity in the Southwest.

I've obviously spent some time thinking about new story lines myself. I like where you're going on this. I'd like to see this called "Foyle's World" what do you think?

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YES. Good location ideas!

I have to say one of the things I love about the show is how it deconstructs the nostalgic narrative we've all be raised with about that war and really delves into the effect it had on small towns and every day people who weren't on the front but suffered none the less. There's a subtle sociological conversation happening there.

Things really were difficult for people on a day to day basis. I'm somewhat removed from the memories of that real day-to-day threat and literal struggles of that war (or any for that matter.) I certainly wasn't aware of many of the direct hardships british people dealt with like the requisition of lands that had been in (middle class or poorer) families for centuries, the lack of decent food for so many, etc. America didn't have those issues but it had others. It seems like a good format to remind people that these wars did have real & tangible consequences.

One thing -just off the top of my head- America's Foyle could deal with would be the internment of the Japanese Americans- that would parallel the first episode of the british series and the internment of British-Germans.

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The show called Manhattan set in Los Alamos does have characters mention Hanford. One character thinks he's going to Chicago, but upon his return explains how had he'd have taken his fishing gear. He was sent to Hanford, not Chicago. He said upon his return something about, had he known he was going to Hanford he'd have brought his fishing gear.


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Broderick Crawford used up all the small towns in California.

The Brits are better than we are at this, so let's just leave them to it. The notion that we could do anything as well, is nonsense.

Even when Americans are added to scripts, the project is made less.

Jeremy Piven RUINED "Selfridge" (his enormous fake white teeth are revolting and his short-man syndrome silly "bold walk" is pathetic; when he puts on that ridiculous top hat, he looks like the Monopoly icon).

Shirley MacLaine is NOT believable as Cora's mother in Downton Abbey. She relies on her "reputation" (as a diva) to try to impress, but she is a vulgar, no talent clown who slept her way to the top, and is an embarrassment.

We should do what we do best. Honey boo-boo with body odors and margarine fat slides, the VMAs with grinning fools performing simulated sex acts, PC no-talent shows that only award minorities, and PC talk shows that mock Republicans. Yup, we have much to be proud of!

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Funny about Broderick Crawford. Thought I was the only one who remembered that series! It was a long time ago.

Yes, the British are better at TV mysteries than we are- subtle characters, atmosphere instead of explosions.

Shirley MacLaine's character was meant to be vulgar and distasteful- that is the way they view Americans.

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Samuel Jackson;
Denzel Washington;
Jennifer Hudson!!

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I watched Highway Patrol when I was little, and rediscovered it a couple of years ago on either Antenna TV, or This TV.

I was so surprised at how much open land, and dirt roads there were in California back in the 1950's.

The fun part is that every so often you see someone who will become very famous later on as very young actors & actresses. Leonard Nimoy has a great episode, and Clint Eastwood plays a small part as a member of a good motorcycle gang.

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Ditto..Crawford was famous for his up-tempo speech and flat feet, as I recall..was pretty major star in his day, did some of those great dirty Southern politician movies, I think..

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The Brits are better than we are at this, so let's just leave them to it. The notion that we could do anything as well, is nonsense.


I could not agree more! Trying to do an American "Foyle's War" could never work. There is nothing more to say that would make that point clear. Except perhaps to encourage people to watch every "Foyle's War" story.


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I'd say Whoopi Goldberg and Martin Short.

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Tough go.....physical action is such a big part of american heroes.......jimmy stewert would have been one.....I think, believe it or not, I think Bryan Cranston would be awesome....he's played so many different type roles.....

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This thread has to be an amusing troll. You guys cannot be serious.

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Ok/./.....I admit that my choices aren't everyones cup o tea....what are yours?

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I don't think this premise would work if moved to the US, nor should they try. Foyle's War works because of the context of England during the War. You just don't have that same scenario at play in the US during the War.

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No-one. Why ruin a masterpiece by "americanising" it? Rather come up with an original concept.

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A U.S. version would be cast with large-lipped models.

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No, let's not. It's fantastic; why make a crap American version.

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I recently found this on Netflix and love it. Lots of points to reply to in this thread. An American version of Foyle's War would be nowheres near as good and has an even chance of being very bad.
For one thing it is 100 minutes or so an episode, with only 4 episode in a season/series. This format would not work on American TV, but it works very well for this show.
An American version would have a large chance of being 'politicly corrected', as evidenced by the number of black actors and actresses proposed here. All good actors/actresses, but would not fit the period in a 'Foyle type character.
Yes, the internment of Japenese-Americans would be an issue to deal with, but the U.S. also intered German-Americans (little known fact) so that could also be dealt with.
All in all, while I think a 'Home Front' style show from the American POV would be interesting, I think it would be better as a mini-series covering different areas and issues each episode than trying to americanize Foyle's War.

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