mirror.co.ukFans of high fantasy weren’t pleased with ITV’s latest adaptation of Beowulf, calling it a rip off of Game of Thrones.
ITV had hoped their new adaptation of Beowulf would be a huge hit but, unfortunately, its similar tone and themes has seen it branded a “blatant rip-off” of the hugely popular fantasy series.
Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands, stars Kieran Bew as the hero and is inspired by the oldest English epic. The series is intended to run for over 13 episodes, and cost a massive £17 million to produce.
The show was, a bit ambitiously, touted as a rival to ‘Thrones’ but many viewers didn’t take to it, describing it as “disappointing” and took to twitter to vent their frustration.
On Twitter, people were typically blunt and to the point…
This #beowulf is the poor man's version of GOT. Just awful.
— Emma Jack (@imemmajack) January 3, 2016
And they weren’t afraid to point out the series’ flaws…
A weak adaptation of a great story and bad imitation of Game of Thrones. no thanks ITV. #Beowulf
— Nadia (@nadia_land_) January 3, 2016
The public certainly didn’t hold back in their criticism…
https://twitter.com/redskydarkcloud/status/683726048350056449
This is probably a bit harsh…
That #BeowulfITV series is a steaming pile of horse turd. Painfully bad acting not helped by out of place 21 century hairstyles. #avoid
— Tony Mc (@tonymc589) December 24, 2015
Basically, people really don’t like this show…
Ah, now I see, Beowulf is in fact crap, hence desperate attempts to make viewers think it is the new Game of Thrones. Pathetic.
— Mark Hook (@FuriousPurpose) January 3, 2016
This may be my favourite comment…
Itv's Beowulf looks like an Asda smart price version of Game Of Thrones #woeful
— Athers (@oldathers) December 25, 2015
The costumes were good though…
https://twitter.com/kentindell/status/683735350825594880
Others pointed out the musical similarities…
If the credits and score of Beowulf on ITV isn't a copyright infringement of Game of Thrones, I don't know what is… #GoT #BeowulfITV
— T a m a r (@tamarfeast) January 3, 2016
Not everyone was critical…
Well done #BeowulfITV – Beowulf, was a great watch. No expense spared on the sets either! Can't wait till next episode!
— Peter Long (@PeteLong12345) January 4, 2016
While others reminded each other that Game of Thrones was a slow-burn as well…
lot of gr8 stuff about #BeowulfITV but also some negative. The 1st ep of GOT didn't give us much but developed into a gr8 show. Give it time
— Liam Ainsworth (@ainsworth_liam) January 3, 2016
The main points of criticism seem to be the unrealistic battles and dodgy CGI.
Bew, 35, told The Mirror he was confident that Beowulf would be “thrilling entertainment” for all the family to enjoy.
Game of Thrones will return for season six in the spring when the storyline will finally overtake George RR Martin’s books for the first time, after he failed to meet his October deadline for the book.
More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.
Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.
He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.