If you can watch BBC TV then...

[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.

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by RCAF_FB_Orville

Point taken though Phil, it would have been much better as a series,

So you agree then.

[SEE]

...and we have Sunday Night on the BBC to look forward too!

[Mysticpuma]

Ditto Sunday!

Cheers, MP

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by SEE

...and we have Sunday Night on the BBC to look forward too!

And as one of the first to post after the event, I'll concede the Beeb did a great job on Sunday.
I'm not a religious person, but also watched the afternoon service and march/flypast, which I found excellent. (David Cameron looked completely bewildered though!)
The McGregor brothers were great fun and the programme well presented, although they kept referring to Douglas Bader as 'Leader of 12 Group' with no mention of Leigh-Mallory. Strange research/scripting, especially as Stephen Bungay was on hand(!).
It was great to see Colin Mc go through the three aircraft one by one, and also interesting to note that a time served RAF Tornado pilot still got choked up after flying and landing a Spit.
They should show this sort of stuff every year.

[PeterPanPan]

Originally Posted by Dutch_851

And as one of the first to post after the event, I'll concede the Beeb did a great job on Sunday...

Totally agree, this was amazing TV, especially in HD which I was lucky enough to watch it in. I was seriously impressed with C McG's Harvard landing. The Spit landing was bloody hard work and you can see how many low time pilots would have come to grief on the roll out. And how many pints had Geoff Wellum had before they started filming?!? He looked nice and relaxed which was great to see. Top TV and definitely one to buy if it's ever released on DVD.

PPanPan

[ATAG_Dutch]

Originally Posted by PeterPanPan

And how many pints had Geoff Wellum had before they started filming?!?
PPanPan

They didn't dub him 'The Boy Drunkard' for nothing!
Not that it bothers me at all, if I was him at 89, I wouldn't give a stuff either.

[PeterPanPan]

Originally Posted by Dutch_851

They didn't dub him 'The Boy Drunkard' for nothing!
Not that it bothers me at all, if I was him at 89, I wouldn't give a stuff either.

Hee hee. Quite agree. I think he's more than earned the right to drink whatever he wants - I just hope the BBC were paying!

... and what was the phrase he used about trying his luck with the girls? Just priceless to see him laugh about that with that twinkle in his eye ... he's 89 going on 18 I think. Good for him. Just brilliant.

[PeterPanPan]

Originally Posted by RCAF_FB_Orville

Predictably, my prophecy has unfurled ...

You make some good points, but why do you have to be so God damned rude? Why is anyone who disagrees with your opinion "full of sh*t" and a "sad b*stard" with "nothing better to do with their lives"? Your moronic words, not mine.

Your Tom Cruise piece is actually quite funny but I don't think anyone here has stated that that's what was missing from the drama. What was missing was budget and vision ... and excitement. Look, we're all flying enthusiasts here, so we're all going to have liked this drama a bit or a lot. But my wife, who doesn't share my interest, fell asleep during First Light. So did my mum. And a review in The Independent says First Light ... "achieved the implausible task of making the subject a tiny bit dull". It just wasn't gripping enough for many viewers, flight sim nuts or not.

There was so much more material in the book that could have been used but wasn't. The opening scene should, IMHO, have been a wide shot of a school cricket game in progress, with Wellum, as captain, in bat. He was a school boy at the start of this whole process, and this was not properly emphasised. Or what about his initial interview, or his being torn off a strip during flight training or watching one of his colleagues get killed on a night take-off during training, or watching his transition from tiger moth, to harvard to spit? Or developing his friendship with Peter Pease only to find out that he was killed soon after being posted to his Squadron? And of course, the incredible story of Wellum's time in Malta and the extremely risky carrier take-off in the Med? There was so much which could, no should, have been included. The bad weather flying scene, his first 109 encounter and his brief trip home were included and done very well, I must say.

The drama was indeed well acted and moving at times. Rubbing names off the chalk board in the mess was particularly poignant. The signed blackboard in the pub was a nice authentic touch too. I also agree that his first spit flight was extremely well done - my heart was racing with his as he was strapping in.

As for the bit of skirt ... yes, you put your finger on it. I am a gaylord and would have much preferred to see Wellum copping off with Kingcome. Band of Brothers didn't need any skirt to keep it interesting, authentic, exciting, moving and appealing to a large audience. It's almost as if the BBC thought they ran out of material and needed to fill it with some skirt, as you put it. My real reason though for feeling uncomfortable is that I have met Wellum twice and felt uneasy for him having to watch some of those scenes which I can only assume were made up as there is no mention of them in the book.

The TV version of First Light wasn't bad, it was just disappointing. However, if it inspires more people to read the book and get Wellum's story as he intended it, then I'm happy.

PPanPan

[Viking]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...0/First_Light/

“Not available in your area” I am in Bangkok right now but perhaps it can be seen in the EU?

Regards

Viking