Something to look forward to for those of us outside of the BBC's thrall. Some background: Foresters raised morale in trenches. The Sergeant printer was George Turner (not Harris) according to the British Medals Forum member who has his gongs.
-- Edited by Rectalgia on Friday 13th of September 2013 04:11:18 AM
"Sometimes things that are not true are included in Wikipedia. While at first glance that may appear like a very great problem for Wikipedia, in reality is it not. In fact, it's a good thing." - Wikipedia.
I lasted 15 mins; maybe I just didn't 'get' it, but found the black and white sketches annoying and the plot seemed a bit too twee and predictable. And 'Footlights-ish'? Maybe it's not being a fan of Private Eye, not having gone to 'Oxbridge' and just having finished Gary Sheffield's superb 'Forgotten Victory' that spoiled it for me.
I went back for another look after Whitechapel finished on ITV, but only lasted 5 mins.
There: grumble over.
Mr Hard-to-please.
-- Edited by Excelsior1 on Friday 13th of September 2013 05:20:41 PM
Well I thought it was good. Yes, the face-painted scenes were a bit nasty (I've never liked clowns, and the full face paint of the master-of-ceremonies was faintly reminiscent of one), plus the whole tone was a tad too facetious, but overall I think a decent job was done. The B&W scenes were a handy way to illustrate the gags, most of which were amusing (the duckboard joke was lame), and the jokes were a vital part of the story.
I thought it was brilliant. The one thing I have in my advantage is Hislops book "The Wipers Times" published in 2009 (I think) you have to have read that to really appreciate what the Wipers Times was all about.
What could have been a very dry subject was put over in a very entaining way. Yes it was a little like 'Private eye' (not my cup of tea) but so was the 'Wipers Times' in its attack on the politicians and authority in general. I nteresting that the comments about the Daily Mails' contents and style are just as relevant as almost 100 years ago!
Was that bit about the German 'hymn of hate' a piece of propaganda - ? The lyrics reminderd me of the Mexican nation antham
Would agree the Black Adder IV last episode was a masterpiece in timing and highlighting the nature of the conflict.
-- Edited by RCD on Sunday 15th of September 2013 06:03:38 PM
good program. To fully understand the folly of the war, you need this type of humour. Will have to check out the book. Wonder if anyone is thinking a TV version of the play 'Accrington Pals' , no humour though.
For me one of the most powerful TV scenes depicting WW1 was the closing scene in Blackadder goes Forth.
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Mainly interested in narrow gauge railways, currently working a number of WW1 projects in 1/35 scale , website http://www.rue-d-etropal.com/
RCD, I read a book on the Christmas Truce a month or two ago (out of season, I know!), and there was mention in that of the "Hymn of Hate", so no, as far as I recall it was not just propaganda - although much was, naturally made of it by the British press, for whom it was a gift.
A number of years ago, in the 60's if my memory is correct. The ITV midlands news produced an artical on the Wipers Times. Our neighbour George Turner, the printer, got in touch and appeared in a later rogram. I do not know if ITV still have any of the programes