If you can watch BBC TV then...

[philip.ed]

Originally Posted by PeterPanPan

I am attempting to put my finger on the reasons why, but I was rather disapointed by it. The best and certainly most moving pieces were the visuals and audio of GW himself. I would have preferred much more of him than a drama which, in my opinion, missed too many crucial parts of the book and failed to inspire the viewer in the way the book does. And as for the many scenes with Grace ... I found these both unecessary and uncomfortable to watch and, as they were not in the book, am left wondering as to their authenticity. I just wish Spielberg and his budget could have been thrown at this to make something more akin to Band of Brothers. Imagine a first person, shaky view as GW scrambled to his Spit etc. etc.

I think that Brian Kingcome's portrayal, and the way he treated GW, was unnecessarily harsh. I understand there was a certain aloofness, borne out of necessity to protect one's emotions. However, IMHO having read both First Light and BK's A Willingness to Die, BK's character was over cooked.

Also, although not crucial to the essence of the story, you'd think the makers would have made an effort to get the aircraft markings a) correct and b) consistent, even if incorrect. 92 Sqn's code was 'QJ' but aircraft were marked with 'AI' which has never been used for any Squadron. Maybe it stood for Artificial Intelligence, a nod towards the CGI used?! GW's aircraft also seemed to change in the same scene, for example, the 'lost in a storm' sequence.

I really think the BBC missed a golden opportunity here to do so much better and to inspire and educate future generations about what it really meant to be one of The Few.

PPanPan

I agree. Although they were on a budget, I can't understand why they had to have the spitfire mark 9(?) and also why a load of scenes were shot in reciprocal, so it was like looking at them in a mirror.
Not as good as the book. A good opportunity missed IMO.

[Cap Loz]

Originally Posted by philip.ed

I agree. Although they were on a budget, I can't understand why they had to have the spitfire mark 9(?) and also why a load of scenes were shot in reciprocal, so it was like looking at them in a mirror.
Not as good as the book. A good opportunity missed IMO.

Have to agree. Not as good as the book, which I am now going to re-read.

The drama side of it was laughable in parts.
Did anyone else have trouble making out what the Scottish Mac was saying.
And did he have a bad hair day throughout the period??
He did not take off his hat ONCE!! How ridiculous, he even wore it while dancing with a "popsy" LOL

[philip.ed]

Originally Posted by Cap Loz

Have to agree. Not as good as the book, which I am now going to re-read.

The drama side of it was laughable in parts.
Did anyone else have trouble making out what the Scottish Mac was saying.
And did he have a bad hair day throughout the period??
He did not take off his hat ONCE!! How ridiculous, he even wore it while dancing with a "popsy" LOL

It might have been tradition. I couldn't guess. They were fond of their caps, but whether they'd have worn them in pubs is another matter. I'd have thought it would have been bad manners.

I would have loved to have seen this filmed over a 6 week period with a 1 hour episode broadcasted every week. They could have used mostly all of the books details right up until he went to malta this way.

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by philip.ed

I would have loved to have seen this filmed over a 6 week period with a 1 hour episode broadcasted every week. They could have used mostly all of the books details right up until he went to malta this way.

+1

That would have been a far better bet, but you can also bet your life that when the people that conceived that very idea tabled it at the BBC, they rejected it as being too expensive for the level of interest and viewing figures it would generate in the UK.
I'm off work for two weeks, so caught the BBC lunchtime news today, September 15th, the 70th anniversary of the 'Greatest Day'. No mention was made of this at all, and yet we were subjected to a 5 minute report on the propensity of common garden snails to return 'home' every day, as long as they weren't further away than 30 metres from where they started.
I actually complained to the BBC for the first time in my life.
Snails??
For F**ks sake.

[Igo kyu]

Originally Posted by Dutch_851

Snails??
For F**ks sake.

It's science, sort of (I do understand that snails aren't the most attractive or active animals).

Would you rather have had some "history" theory (communism) or religious theory (from a theocracy)?

[WTE_Galway]

Originally Posted by Igo kyu

It's science, sort of (I do understand that snails aren't the most attractive or active animals).

Would you rather have had some "history" theory (communism) or religious theory (from a theocracy)?

I have a friend that sees a person who apparently channels the "King of the Dolphins" who, surprisingly is actually from Alpha Centauri (the same person also channels Buddha and the Archangel Michael but that is another story) and apparently the truth about cosmology is its turtles all the way down

[RCAF_FB_Orville]

Predictably, my prophecy has unfurled.

Don't listen to the Grognards and Spielberg wanabee's chaps, this was excellent.

Well acted throughout, studiously avoided sentimentality, and conveyed superbly the world weary sense of ennui interspersed with terrible violence many of these pilots experienced, very sobering stuff and moving in parts.

Maybe the fact that it was so understated bothered some, I saw it as a strength. What would you have preferred, Tom Cruise as Wellum bursting into the mess with his Scientology Clown Hat on screaming

"MR PRESIDENT!!! Uhhhh....CHURCHILL!!! We have only 10 days to save Planet Britain, GODDAMMIT!!!"

*Brian Kingcome* I don't like this guy, he's dangerous......

*Cruise* DAMN RIGHT I'M DANGEROUS!!! GET ME THE PRESIDENT ON THE MUTHAF*KKIN PHONE!!!

Etc etc. We are British, after all.

There was a palpable sense of detachment too, you could empathise with why many pilots would avoid becoming too 'close' with colleagues, in the knowledge that they may well not see them the next day. Not all doom and gloom though, some great "gallows humour" moments and laughs too, and more than anything their resolve and fighting spirit shone through.

His 'first Spit flight' was excellent too, the musical score complementing it superbly. Gave a real sense of the elation and joy he was feeling, it was a beautiful part of the film and should be applauded.

Why do flight sim nuts always complain when you see a bit of skirt in a film or drama? What are you all, a bunch of raving GAYLORDS or something? *Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course* LMAO (BTW 'Grace' was well fit, very easy on the eye).

Its drama, and yes "romantic relationships" are a big part of life *Duh*. Me Tarzan, you Jane, and all that. Drama just reflects this. Christ. I give up.

They are all full of sh*t lads, it was very good. Point taken though Phil, it would have been much better as a series, "band of brothers" style, but people (as per usual) are being way too harsh. Yes the book is better (they always are! 'Condensed?' someone wrote? How do you fit a book into 1hr plus otherwise FFS?) For what it is, its well worth a watch.

Ok, righteous and indignant rant over Chaps.

Carry on.

[RCAF_FB_Orville]

Originally Posted by WTE_Galway

I have a friend that sees a person who apparently channels the "King of the Dolphins" who, surprisingly is actually from Alpha Centauri (the same person also channels Buddha and the Archangel Michael but that is another story) and apparently the truth about cosmology is its turtles all the way down

Your mate might be onto something regarding the "Dolphin King" Galway, for are we not all 'Children of Gaia' ?

PS Peace be upon the Prophet Terry Pratchett, Godlike Genius and sad to hear of his illness.

*Sorry for double post chaps*

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by Igo kyu

It's science, sort of (I do understand that snails aren't the most attractive or active animals).

Would you rather have had some "history" theory (communism) or religious theory (from a theocracy)?

Neither! In a dedicated science programme, I'd've been happy to hear about the snails. I have nothing against snails per se.
I'd also be happy to watch a history programme about communism or a religious programme about whatever.
However this was BBC news, and my gripe was the omission of a report on the 70th anniversary of Battle of Britain day.
The inclusion of snails, but the omission of a mention of BoB day seems to me to be a strange kind of priority for a British 'news' broadcast.

[SEE]

I haven't read the book but enjoyed the Drama/Ducumentary styled format. I imagine that it was presented in a way that would appeal to a wider general viewing audience and, in that respect, I felt it conveyed the emotional suffering and camerade these pilots experienced. 18 years of age and surviving as a rookie Spit Pilot at the onset of the BOB was a hell of an achievement in itself. I wasn't aware of the book but will get it.