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Traffic: The Hit Film's Underrated British Origin
27 Jan
Summary
- Steven Soderbergh's 2000 film 'Traffic' was inspired by a 1989 British miniseries.
- The original 'Traffik' miniseries also depicted interconnected drug trade storylines.
- The British series humanized poppy growers and won prestigious awards.
Steven Soderbergh's 2000 cinematic hit, "Traffic," which depicted the War on Drugs through multiple interconnected storylines, was based on an earlier British miniseries. The original production, titled "Traffik" and airing in 1989, also featured interwoven narratives focused on the illegal drug trade within the U.K.
The British series presented three distinct story arcs. One storyline mirrored Soderbergh's film, following a Scottish minister combating heroin imports while his daughter struggled with addiction. Another focused on Fazal, an opium grower displaced by the government, and the third involved Karl Rosshalde, a German drug smuggler.
"Traffik" received critical acclaim for its empathetic portrayal of poppy growers affected by governmental actions. The miniseries achieved significant recognition, earning an International Emmy Award for best drama and four BAFTA awards, highlighting its impact and quality.
