MovieChat Forums > The Tunnel (2013) Discussion > How similar is this story to Bron/Broen/...

How similar is this story to Bron/Broen/The Bridge?

posted 11 years ago by RagingR2
4 replies | jump to latest

I can read from the plot outline that the basic idea is the same as with the original Bron/Broen/The Bridge. But I don't know if they wrote their own version of it, or that they literally just replaced the bridge with a tunnel and remade the exact same story?

Is the bad guy the 'same guy'? Are his/her motifs identical? Does it end the same way? I don't need any spoilers for other people, I just want to hear a yes/no about whether it is the same as the Scandinavion original which I already watched.

Because; I really loved both seasons of the Scandinavion 'The Bridge'. And on the one hand I am a little curious now to see this one, but if I know right at the start that the story is 95% the same, then I don't think I'm gonna bother spending my time. Especially since I read everywhere that The Tunnel is pretty good, but (by far?) not as good as The Bridge.

Thanks in advance.

-- Greetings, RagingR2

[–] RaidLOQ 11 years ago

The core story is the same. You wont have any surprises with the main plot if you've seen the original. The subplot/sidestories are altered a bit, but nothing really worth watching it for if you dont want to see the same main plot again. The original was also much better.

[–] billycan 10 years ago

I really don't understand why "the Tunnel" was produced. To make a British-French version just seems pointless to me especially when the production is so bland and an English language version had already been made.

The yank version is also ridiculous but they were always going produce a re-make of Bron/Broen because the majority of them are too lazy or too unsophisticated to deal with subtitles. At least as far as Hollywood is concerned and they should know their market. Also nothing has come out of the America that has had any originality since the 80's.

Neither of the main actors in "The Tunnel" impressed me in the parts they played. That could be the Director's fault but for the French actress to have dialogue that suggested Asperger's without any other indications was just stupid. She is no Saga, that's for sure. The pommie cop was completely unconvincing in his role as the piss-weak, cheating husband as well.

[–] Julie_Julii 10 years ago

You seem to be criticizing the French/UK version for elements of the plot that came straight out of the Scandanavian original while completely misreading everything else.

They made it very clear why Elise Wasserman behaved the way she did. She was also completely aware that she was different and learned emotional cues through her relationship with Roebuck.

Yes Roebuck was weak, that was the whole point about his character!

What matters is if the French/UK version adapted a familiar story (to some) in a way that felt like it was still thrilling and telling it as a story about France and the UK.

I'd seen the US and Scandanavian versions before seeing The Tunnel and I was still hooked. The performances by Dillane and Poesy were incredibly nuanced and intimate. I don't think it's worth comparing them as performers against Bodnia and Helin in such superficial terms. It completely dismisses what is ultimately very worthy work by Demian Bechir, Diane Kruger, Clemence Poesy and Stephen Dillane.

It's like comparing the various actors who've played the Doctor over the decades. It's pointless.

[–] chrisbarras1 9 years ago

I may be wrong but in regards your comment about nothing original coming out of America since the 80s isn't Breaking Bad as one example original? I can't claim to know the full back catalogue of worldwide productions but I can't think of another show in which a cancer patient becomes a drug lord in order to pay for his treatment and support his family, and ultimately pay the price of greed.