The One Game

I saw this series when it first came out in 1988. For whatever reason, it seems never to have been repeated. It is highly enjoyable, despite many things happening that are implausible. The story involves a managing director of a successful games company being forced into playing a series of deadly games by someone from his past.'The Game' starring Michael Douglas is clearly copied from The One Game, though the makers of The Game never appear to have admitted it. The story and title are very similar: even the main character's name is similar! The One Game is darker takes itself a little more seriously than The Game. The One Game is very much of its time, and that has added to its attraction over the years, set during a period when computer games are beginning to eclipse traditional games. But as we see in the drama, there is still room for games don't play on a computer screen...

While it is astonishing that this was never repeated on TV (I wonder why?) it does add to the attraction of obtaining it, which took me until the DVD was finally released some 18 years after the one and only broadcast.

While 'The One Game' does have some serious plot holes (Especially regarding certain deaths which are never revisited) it is still an excellent mini-series and has not dated as much as I expected.

I suppose it can be compared to 'The Game (1997)' and while it is almost certain that the writers of that 'borrowed' some ideas, they are not entirely the same. If anything 'The One Game' is a much better written and paced story with a lot more depth.

If you can find the DVD get it - it only cost me £6.99 and is well worth it for a 4 hour mini series - and it includes a nice booklet with a history on the show, I guess they decided to include the booklet rather than have it as an extra on the DVD - i'm glad they did, it is much nicer to read a booklet than a screen full of text.

But oh god - those pre-episode recaps - we could have done without those, what were they thinking!

I would love to see this film again. It was fascinating and unique, but the involved story needed more than one viewing. The music, Sayon Dola impressed me and I bought the single. Now it has been recorded by Russell Watson on his CD The Voice.

I dimly recalled seeing this on telly years and years ago when I was pretty young - bit of a stay up late on a Friday(?) night treat - and really loving it, but thought I was going mad as no-one else remembered it. Is it available anywhere on VHS or DVD? I'd love to see it again! I can't remember much of the story now but it looked great :)

I've seen this original TV movie around 1989 and even now I am wondering who can tell me where to buy this on DVD.

For some reason the story and its cast left a solid impression and whenever I see a similar story on another movie, I always compare it with this one. The score was well chosen, the plot was brilliant. Anyone who knows where to get this, let me know! (tro2@xs4all.nl) The American version (the Game) was good, but in my opinion it lacked being convincing.

Britsh film-making at its best, without special effects, but an exciting, thrilling story, highly recommended!