Clive Cussler Forum -> The real Al G and Sahara

The real Al G and Sahara

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DirkPitt	Posted: May 16 2005, 01:59 AM
Special Projects Director Group: CCForum ADMIN Posts: 3,525 Member No.: 1 Joined: 20-February 04	As everbody here on the forum should know, the character, Al Giordino is based on Clive Cussler's real life friend from his Air Force days, Al Giordano. He and his wife who are retired and living in Florida, recently went along to the movies and saw Sahara. Al had seen Steve Zahn on the tv talk show circuit promoting Sahara and regarded him as "silly" but respected the way he gave credit to Clive Cussler. As Al watched the movie, he saw past Zahn's blonde hair and thought that he "good job with the character". All in all, Al Giordano and his wife enjoyed the movie and they both thought that Zahn's "character portrayal over shadowed MM's portrayal of Dirk Pitt". Clive is aware of Al Giordano seeing Sahara. To my knowledge, Clive himself has not yet seen it. Please ensure the above information remains in the confines of the Clive Cussler Forum. This site is not publically searchable.

mgopilot	Posted: May 27 2005, 02:16 PM
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 50 Member No.: 6,531 Joined: 24-April 05	If Clive's old friend likes it, that's great. I can hardly believe Clive is still acting juvenile and hasn't seen it. It was the only book where there was an Al Giordino romantic interest, but that would have added another 1/2 hour to the film, at least. Having the Al character be more humorous adds to the chemistry. IMHO

jet_doctor	Posted: Jun 8 2005, 02:41 PM
Honored Member Group: CCForum Member Posts: 623 Member No.: 114 Joined: 29-February 04	IMHO, I wouldn't call it "juvenile," I would call it standing up for what you believe in and I respect Clive for standing firm, even if I enjoyed the movie as well as others. If you don't stand up for what you believe in, there will never be change.

Giordino13	Posted: Jun 8 2005, 04:44 PM
Master Explorer Group: CCForum Member Posts: 1,225 Member No.: 5,945 Joined: 6-March 05	I have complete respect and admiration for Dr. Cussler and all he has done. Saying that, he just needs to wake up and smell the coffee. I think Dr. Cussler was looking for a perfect portrayal of the book, which was never going to happen. He should never have sold his rights to the book unless he was willing to have the movie bend the story a little. Then again, I haven't written a famous series of books that were made into a movie.

Lat	Posted: Jun 8 2005, 04:53 PM
Featured Member Group: Members Posts: 461 Member No.: 245 Joined: 12-March 04	I think there is an important point here - there was a contract whereby Cussler would have the say about the script. Does one approve of people breaching contracts that they have signed? If he wanted movies made out of the books for the sake of it, he could have done so a long time ago.

stevesveryown	Posted: Jun 9 2005, 06:17 PM
Member Group: Members Posts: 21 Member No.: 2,543 Joined: 9-September 04	How would you all feel if you wrote a book and your character was a barel chested, muscular guy with black hair and you get a blonde haired thin fellow to play the part. I always likened Al Giordino to Andy Sipowiz (NYPD Blues) as far as the wise cracks go. Not a jokester looking for laughs. Well, that's just one mans opinion.

tonym5	Posted: Jun 9 2005, 09:01 PM
Philosopher, Pirate, Poet, Poseidon & The Admiral Group: CCForum admin Posts: 13,795 Member No.: 23 Joined: 24-February 04	First I would not sell rights to my books. And if I did it would be for an extremely high price that would leave them nothing to make a movie with. I am with Dr. C. and that he should win this lawsuit mess. It's bad enough that there are lawsuits because that's a whole mess in itself. Lawyers should be shot and not allowed in politics. That's my two cents.

mlp	Posted: Jun 9 2005, 09:02 PM
Member Group: Members Posts: 12 Member No.: 6,604 Joined: 5-May 05	It's my understanding that Dr.Cussler personally approved Steve Zahn for the Al role. I did not see the character as a jokester looking for laughs, but your perception is a valid as mine. I am sure that it was difficult for Dr. Cussler to see changes in his story line, but I know it's the nature of the beast when novels are turned into movies. I think we all hope that the differences beween the author and the studio can be resolved so that we can have more movies that make everybody happy. mlp

Giordino13

Posted: Jun 9 2005, 11:06 PM

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QUOTE (tonym5 @ Jun 9 2005, 09:01 PM)

First I would not sell rights to my books. And if I did it would be for an extremely high price that would leave them nothing to make a movie with. I am with Dr. C. and that he should win this lawsuit mess. It's bad enough that there are lawsuits because that's a whole mess in itself. Lawyers should be shot and not allowed in politics. That's my two cents.

Well, without lawyers, there would be no politics. The whole point of lawyers is to protect a person from injustices and inform them of their legal options. So in that way, they are needed greatly. Things I don't approve of though, are the frivelous lawsuits. They just waste everyone's valuable time and money.

In this case with Dr. Cussler, I think he has the full right to take legal action if he truly feels his "contract" had been violated (even if I personally disagree with him in principle).

This post has been edited by Giordino13 on Jun 9 2005, 11:07 PM

jet_doctor

Posted: Jun 9 2005, 11:54 PM

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QUOTE (Giordino13 @ Jun 8 2005, 10:44 AM)

Saying that, he just needs to wake up and smell the coffee. I think Dr. Cussler was looking for a perfect portrayal of the book, which was never going to happen. He should never have sold his rights to the book unless he was willing to have the movie bend the story a little.

Dr. Cussler is not a stupid or naive man (not saying you said that). I'm sure he's well aware that a movie cannot be an exact replica of his book. The point of the suit is that Cussler had script rights. After many drafts, he had finally approved and signed off on a script. Shortly thereafter, they changed the script without his approval. I'm glad he's standing up and doing something about it. My only hope is that all this will not keep him from pursuing someone to do any future movies the right way by honoring their contract.

oswalder

Posted: Jun 10 2005, 10:16 PM

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QUOTE (jet_doctor @ Jun 9 2005, 07:54 PM)

After many drafts, he had finally approved and signed off on a script. Shortly thereafter, they changed the script without his approval.

Thanks for the scoop, Michelle. I had always thought that after Clive turned down the first 7 scripts, the producers said "enough of him, let's go ahead and make a movie anyway." I didn't know he had actually approved a script. Hmm. Perhaps there is more merit to that one ridiculous imdb post that talked about CC suing because the producers took Dayna out of the movie. Might that be the change they made to the approved script? Hmm.

BlueChrome	Posted: Jun 11 2005, 03:51 PM
Special Member Group: CCForum Member Posts: 137 Member No.: 169 Joined: 4-March 04	This is a very belated posting.... I decided from the very beginning that the movie was just that -- a movie. I knew I would have to detatch myself from the 'conditioning' of the book (I remember "Raise the Titanic"....)! The movie was a great action movie. I too was very disappointed with the initial choices of actors, as we all have our own characters and what they should look like in our own minds, but I was nicely surprised and allowed myself to believe... I think the movie put Doc Cussler into the 'mainstream' for all those mindless, non-readers who have never heard of Clive Cussler. Now, I also believe the movie has given him a greater name recognition. I am always travelling around and usually I end up at some restaurant or book shop where I inevitably run into another die-hard, Cussler devotee. They are few and far between, so I think the movie will help this. I am looking forward to more Dirk Pitt adventure movies and that's what they'll be, just adventure movies. Because I am a true fan, it won't bother me, because I've read all the books anyway! Anybody going to the Clive Cussler Convention??? Me? You bet! Already have my reservations! Cheers! DAVEY

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