BillyH Posted 2 January , 2012 Share Posted 2 January , 2012 The BBC have done an adaptation of this great book, scheduled for BBC1 at the end of this month. I presume it will be in at least 3 parts but don't know any more at the moment - keep an eye open for it I am sure it won't generate as much vitriol as the recent topic on War Horse? - at least I hope not ! Regards, BillyH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Fisher Posted 2 January , 2012 Share Posted 2 January , 2012 Thanks for the heads up. I was contacted by the production company in Bulgaria wanting to hire Vickers guns for it only a few months ago so they've turned it around quick (they ended up converting Russian Maxims in the end - oh well!). Thanks, Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 2 January , 2012 Share Posted 2 January , 2012 Can't say I'm overtly enthusiastic. I've read it; and voila! Can't say that I need a BBC rendering of the text to make sure that I've understood it according to the Beeb's criteria. I wouldn't call it a "this great book" - but there we are - to each his/her own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliecoco Posted 2 January , 2012 Share Posted 2 January , 2012 Hi Billy, You might be opening a can of worms here!! For me, I was excited to read your news, because reading 'Birdsong', changed my life, and I really mean that! But if you research old posts on here, 'Birdsong' has not always been popular... Alie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandy hall Posted 3 January , 2012 Share Posted 3 January , 2012 The BBC is currently showing a trailer for new british drama, which shows some clips for Birdsong. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00mwrms Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFayers Posted 12 January , 2012 Share Posted 12 January , 2012 I did wonder what those clips in the trailer were from! I thoroughly enjoyed the book for what it was (i.e. an entertaining story with, I believe, no intention of being an authoritative historical account!), and in the same regard I'm looking forward to seeing the TV adaptation. Cheers Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick63 Posted 19 January , 2012 Share Posted 19 January , 2012 Another trailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem49 Posted 20 January , 2012 Share Posted 20 January , 2012 I for one am really pleased that the Beeb has been advertising this. My Granddaughter phoned me asking if I had a copy of the book and she will be reading that and not watching the adaptation. At least the trailer made it known to her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Banning Posted 20 January , 2012 Share Posted 20 January , 2012 Here's the TX card Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
War13Memorial Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 not long now remember it is not a factual documentary it is light entertainment put the magnifying glasses aside and enjoy Billy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joanbelge Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 here here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 where? where? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithfazzani Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 not long now remember it is not a factual documentary it is light entertainment put the magnifying glasses aside and enjoy Billy Same to raise the same old chestnut as Warhorse but it seems that some people regard Birdsong as history,so much so that in my travels I have encounterd school trips doing "Birdsong" tours of the front as if it were a book of historical fact. Nothing wrong with fiction as long as it isn't treated as history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanCurragh Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 I've not read the book - but apart from the war scenes, does anything happen other than the characters looking meaningfully into the middle distance? As that's all that seems to be happening so far.. PS - good grief - I agree with Norman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 Well I have managed to watch the first 30 minutes without falling asleep that only leaves another 150 minutes to come. Looks like the Downton tradition of wooden acting has been taken to a new level. In defence of such stories I do think that it is almost impossible to make an interesting and absorbing film of WW1 subjects without basing the story on some degree of fact and having a very strong storyline which so far nobody has achieved with the notable exception of Paths of Glory from Stanley Kubrick. The long pregnant pauses in this latest effort are painful to watch but luckily there is snooker on BBC2! Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Armstrong Custer Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 not long now remember it is not a factual documentary it is light entertainment put the magnifying glasses aside and enjoy Billy If you want to restrict discussion of this to applause for 'enjoyable' 'light entertainment' without any discussion of its depiction of the Great War, why come on to a Great War forum to do so? In any case, so far it's anything but light - heavy going would be a better description of it as 'entertainment.' George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 I've not read the book - but apart from the war scenes, does anything happen other than the characters looking meaningfully into the middle distance? As that's all that seems to be happening so far.. PS - good grief - I agree with Norman! Well I certainly do not!!! ------------ Whoops forgot I am Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 Is anyone else having difficulty listening to the recorded sound? There's so much whispering you need to be a lip-reader to fathom the dialogue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 Is anyone else having difficulty listening to the recorded sound? There's so much whispering you need to be a lip-reader to fathom the dialogue. Exactly what I was thinking. I cannot make out a word. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
War13Memorial Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 I have the volume up much higher than usual, annoying Billy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 Much better with the sound off Kate. Still never mind at least we have a real treat on Tuesday (2300) when BBC4 show a welcome repeat of "Delius - Song of Summer" by Ken Russell, now this is real talent. Those of you unfortunte to miss the recent repeat of KRs Elgar are advised not to miss this one Norman Added - OMG! he is NOT dead, amazing and just like Downton when that guy got blown up and changed into a Canadian or when Matthew was a cripple and then he was cured!!! Great Stuff and almost as good as Blue Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 Probably still available via the iPlayer Norman. It was the classic Monitor programme, with dialogue spoken by Huw Wheldon. There was a chunk of WW1 footage too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 Kate, the Elgar film was one of the very best programmes that I have ever seen and caused a rebirth of interest in his music that remains to this day. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
War13Memorial Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 Well I thoroughly enjoyed that and can't wait for the next [and final] exciting installment - TV for men. Billy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Mackenzie Posted 22 January , 2012 Share Posted 22 January , 2012 I enjoyed it for what it was but I too had trouble with the sound and had to turn it up - you don't expect a Great War film to be too quiet!!!! Was it me or was one of the soldiers who went underground also the guy who played Albert in War Horse at the National Theatre? I saw the play about 18 months ago so cannot remember the guys name. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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