The original Marathon - A Vague Sketch Idea

Apologies for not writing this up as a proper sketch, at the moment it's more of an idea that needs working on.

OPENING SCENE - we see Pheidippides, the Spartan herald being told that he needs to run from Marathon to Athens to tell them of their victory over the Persians, that this important information must reach the Athenian authorities as soon as possible.

After a few shots of him running through the Greek countryside (with a few obvious references to establish the historical context) then we see shots of him running alongside people dressed as Mickey Mouse, Rhinos etc, he gets stopped and interviewed by Claire Balding which really annoys him as he needs to get to Athens with the news.

The final scene is of him arriving at Athens to be given a foil blanket and a Mars bar, then being shepherded off to get his medal, all the while protesting that he needs to go to the forum to tell them about the Battle.

I kind of see it as a running joke (no pun intended), in that we keep cutting back to see how he's getting on (perhaps at one point we see him running across Tower Bridge with thousands of other people).

I like the idea Tony.

Thanks Bigfella, me too, but I've no idea what to do with it as it'd require quite a big budget and a lot of resources to do successfully.

Was wondering if I should try to work on it as an audio sketch, which is obviously much cheaper and easier to do.

It's an excellent idea. Very 'Big Train.' Defo a visual number rather than audio. Could be produced on a reasonable budget: green screen the first scene with the appropriate backdrop. Inferred battle through audio. Then shoot the journey scene on an actual race day: something like the Nike 10K. Or even the marathon itself. Not sure if the transition from Greece to the streets of London would work though.....maybe avoid recognisable landmarks. Or that might add to 'the funny'.

I think audio would be quite hard to get to work.

For my the visuals are what would make it.

The runner, is there in his armour or whatever they wore, running in the blazzing sun, he is clearly flagging. The out of no where a group of big hairy men all dressed as nurses pushing a bed and shaking buckets run past cheering - shouting "come on mate" all in a good cause.

I think it would be too hard to "set the scene" with just audio.

I think you need a credible reason for his being transported magically across time and space.

I'd have him running along the road, then occasionally holding his crotch as if bursting for a wee and looking around for a suitable place to relieve himself. Maybe there are passers-by on the road and that means he can't just 'do it' there.

Suddenly he sees a Police Box by the roadside. Obviously, he's never seen one before but it will serve his purpose and he darts inside.

A minute later, he emerges with a look of great relief and continues his run.

Then we see shots of him running alongside people dressed as Mickey Mouse, Rhinos etc . . . ?

I dont't think you need to have him transported across time and space.

The funny is that he "thinks" he is running the first Marathon and then all these strange characters start passing him.

For me anyway...

Quote: bigfella @ November 12 2009, 12:25 PM GMT

I dont't think you need to have him transported across time and space.

The funny is that he "thinks" he is running the first Marathon and then all these strange characters start passing him.

For me anyway...

View original

This was my imagining of it, the intended humour is in him running the first Marathon for a very serious reason but he ends up embroiled in our present day version of it.

Quote: bigfella @ November 12 2009, 12:25 PM GMT

I dont't think you need to have him transported across time and space.

The funny is that he "thinks" he is running the first Marathon and then all these strange characters start passing him.

For me anyway...

View original

Think it's a great idea and was just about to write almost word for word the post above so; what Bigfella said, keep it Greek. Good luck with it.

Too slow at posting - see quote

Hi Tony. I have to agree, I think it's funnier without the time and space travel. This is a winning idea.

Yes, like this a lot. Would work best visually, if you could write it to keep the cost down, but worth trying an audio version.

Different viewers will interpret the sketch in different ways and see humour in different aspects of it.

The script makes it clear that the runner is a character from Ancient Greece and that the action begins in that time and place. It also makes it clear that, unless he's hallucinating, he is transported through time and space, arriving in Modern Britain.

The transition from there and then to here and now is comical and an explanation of how it happens is by no means essential. It'll still get laughs without an explanation - as long as viewers realise there has been a space/time shift.

My reason for introducing the Police Box is three-fold:

1) it explains how he is transported and confirms that he's really an Ancient Greek and not. as it may appear, just some guy being egged on by his mates to play a theatrical role in a modern marathon race.

2) it appeals to millions of Dr Who fans

3) the idea of taking an easy way out of trouble and landing one's self in a great deal more trouble is a highly successful dramatic/comedic device as old as Ancient Greece itself.

But let's not analyse too deeply.

If it were mine, I'd do it without the London Bridge section - it removes any need for explanation and may only confuse viewers. Plus it spoils the original joke that it's the first marathon but it's still being handled in the same way as the modern version. Imo.

I do like the way Roodeye thinks, btw.

Slag A speaks wisely.