h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was just reading the comments for the film 'Cliffhanger' on IMDB and someone put in: '...and incidentally, while an Englishman might just, possibly, say 'soccer' instead of 'football', he would never use the word 'punk' as an insult...'

Now, the actor being discussed is English and would know about the 'punk' bit, and this set me thinking: do actors ever pipe up with 'Excuse me, but that character is *insert nationality here* and would never talk like that. S/he would say...'?

Or do they say these things and just get ignored? Or are they not expected/allowed to make suggestions of this nature?

Any actors on line who can answer this?

I've noticed the phenomenon and said to myself, "He wouldn't say that!" (Does that count?)
I'm thinking of when, for example, a detective is supposed to be American and says, "Get the lorry!". It's usually a lot more subtle, though, just "turns of phrase" if you will; anyhow I can tell when a book set in the US was written by a British author. (Why are they never set in Canada?)
PLT, Mick.

I'm afraid it doesn't count The actors themselves have to do it.

The book phenomenon works the other way round, too. I find myself complimenting authors on their research, but then making an extra special effort to catch them out. That last one I read was a Tom Clancy effort which mostly took place in Sussex, England (where I live). I reckon he would explain away the errors by saying that it's set in 2011. Not a bad effort, though.

The worst case I can think of in recent years is the 'live action' version of 101 Dalmations, where there were apparently skunks and raccoons wandering about wild in England. Since a lot of the film appears to have been shot in England, I can't believe that no-one told them.

Perhaps none of it was shot in England and they just did a brilliant job of recreating it. Who knows?

Sometimes actors do pipe up and question the script, plot, special effects, whatever. Unfortunately, as far as films go, the actors have little say in the matter, and if the director says no, the actor has to put up with it or leave. As for the use of the wrong animals, I don't think the actors have much say in this either. It's all down to the production crew and, ultimately, responsibility rests with the director (as far as I'm aware).

Nowadays they try to make films wherever they are set, unless there are good reasons for not doing this. Braveheart was filmed in Ireland, for example, and Kevin Costner landed by the White Cliffs rather than at Dover in 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' because Dover's a modern port now. However, on a studio-based film like 101 Dalmations, it could be that all bets are off and they film where they like.

There's a general debate about book adaptations for films going on under the 'Asimov' thread - thread drift strikes again! And if you feel like generally picking holes in films, wander over to http://www.nitpickers.com and join up. Check out the nitpicks on films you have seen, and post your own nitpicks on films that deserve it (provided that nobody's beaten you to it). That must be at least the 4th recommendation for the site I've posted on h2g2. Maybe I should start asking the creator for a commission!