Simon Mills Posted 16 April , 2013 Share Posted 16 April , 2013 Just came across this on one of the periodic pre-production e-mails that I receive: http://www.theknowledgeonline.com/the-knowledge-bulletin/post/First-World-War-drama-from-Red-Planet-Pictures?utm_source=tko&utm_medium=bulletin&utm_term=16.4.13&utm_content=great+war&utm_campaign=knowledge I'll keep my eye out for more as there will probably be a lot more WWI projects in the coming weeks... S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 16 April , 2013 Share Posted 16 April , 2013 Simon's link: First World War drama from Red Planet Pictures 12/04/2013 comments News Red Planet Pictures, the makers of hits such as Life on Mars, Hustle and Death in Paradise have been commissioned by BBC One to produce a major new drama series, The Great War. The epic series is told through the eyes of two ordinary young men who, like so many who enlisted, believed the war would be short lived. Each of the five chronological episodes will cover one year of the war, mainly centred on the Western Front but also taking in major events such as Gallipoli, the Battle of the Somme, Ypres and the point when America joined the conflict. Tony Jordan has written the drama and will also executive produce alongside Bethan Jones of BBC Cymru Wales Drama. The series forms part of the BBC’s planned programming for next year to commemorate the centenary of the start of the war. Filming is still some time away – anticipated for early next year. Jordan says: “The First World War is undoubtedly one of the most catastrophic events of modern history with a devastating impact on human life across the world. The story look at all aspects of the war – from the families left behind to the strategic decisions by generals that led to unimaginable bloodshed and the men fighting in the trenches.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 16 April , 2013 Share Posted 16 April , 2013 Thanks for the heads up, Simon. Another one to look forward to (amongst others hopefully). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 16 April , 2013 Share Posted 16 April , 2013 If this is anything like the usual efforts from the BBC forget it! Quote: The First World War is undoubtedly one of the most catastrophic events of modern history It may well have been but just how were we to drive the invader from most of Belgium and large tracts of France. I am willing to bet that this latest production will fall neatly into the "they were all victims" depiction of the Great War certainly those made in recent times. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anneca Posted 16 April , 2013 Share Posted 16 April , 2013 Sounds interesting and look forward to hearing more. Thanks for posting Simon. Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin kenf48 Posted 16 April , 2013 Admin Share Posted 16 April , 2013 Previously mentioned in Centenary events http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=193263&hl= - we managed to keep it from Norman - nevertheless we're all enormously looking forward to the dum-dum scene. My money is on a dying Tommy saying ' you're not my mother ... dum - dum' Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi Posted 16 April , 2013 Share Posted 16 April , 2013 Thanks Simon for the posting. I quite like Tony Jordans writing, 'Life on Mars' was very good, mind you the follow-up 'Ashes to Ashes' was not. (Don't think he was involved in that though) Maxi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil andrade Posted 16 April , 2013 Share Posted 16 April , 2013 and the men fighting in the trenches.” Thank Goodness this did not contain the almost obligatory "..and women.." that current commentary so often demands. Phil (PJA) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 To those of you with a sensitive nature please go to the fluffy kittens, for the rest here is an article from yes, the Daily Mail. No comment other than this quote from the series creator who was a scriptwriter for that other classic "Eastenders". Quote: He said: ‘If there’s a moron in Tunbridge Wells who thinks that what we’re commemorating is beating the s*** out of the Germans, then all I can say is these are the kinds of people who made the war happen in the first place. ‘Back then, no one knew what a world war meant. It was all going to be over by Christmas and so all the kids dashed in – it was the equivalent of an iPod craze.’ Article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2312365/Hero-BBCs-Great-War-tribute--German-TV-bosses-sensitive-offending-Germans-hope-sell-drama-them.html Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T8HANTS Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 I presume we will get the normal Blackadder view of WW1 with doughty but simple northern lads being sent to their deaths in their thousands by southern aristocratic homosexual officers, only interested in their chateau H.Q's wine cellar, or exercising their hunters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arboskittler Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 .....but surely, there has to be a 'story' that will tempt viewers into watching and so eagerly await the next and subsequent episodes. This will elevate the writer/s and producer/s et al, so that all could be lined up for awards etc.. It also then allows the BBC to justify the costs against the licence fee. The 'alternative'???................a Dan Snow documentary! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanCurragh Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 As ever with threads about WW1 dramas, nonsense takes over. I've hidden quite a few posts, and would ask that we try and stay on topic (although as the subject is a programme that hasn't even been made yet, that might be difficult) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 Good luck with that, Alan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 Nonsense?, I take it that you are reading some of this like: Post 2: "from the families left behind to the strategic decisions by generals that led to unimaginable bloodshed" Post 9: "It was all going to be over by Christmas and so all the kids dashed in – it was the equivalent of an iPod craze" What exactly is this?. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanCurragh Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 They are the opinions of a BBC drama writer. I am quite sure you can point out the error of his ways without mentioning whippets and tripe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 I am adding 'Morons of Tunbridge Wells' to the Origins of the Great War- who knew? Maxi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt2568 Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 Does anyone know if Tony Jordan has any previous knowledge of or interest in WW1 ? What does the forum think will be on his reading list for the background to this drama? I really dread to think............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Foster Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 I'd say it was almost impossible to remove the tripe from Normans posts, but then that's my opinion based on previous knowledge. As for the forthcoming drama, which I believe is the subject of this thread and not the opinions of the drama writer, I'm going to do something really cutting edge, and actually wait until I've seen it before passing comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 I'd say it was almost impossible to remove the tripe from Normans posts, And the whippets ...? I'm going to do something really cutting edge, and actually wait until I've seen it before passing comment. Steady on, old boy. Steady on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarylW Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 ..............As for the forthcoming drama, which I believe is the subject of this thread and not the opinions of the drama writer, I'm going to do something really cutting edge, and actually wait until I've seen it before passing comment. Me too! Seems to be the sane option, rather than condemning a writer or series before it's been aired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Foster Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 And the whippets ...? 9 times out of 10.. usually up the wrong tree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lang Posted 21 April , 2013 Share Posted 21 April , 2013 This type of programme, albeit will have its merits, but will be another of the 'struggle of the troops' type. To describe it as: "The story looks at all aspects of the war – from the families left behind to the strategic decisions by generals that led to unimaginable bloodshed and the men fighting in the trenches" leaves out the pre-history and the troubles and woes of the Royal families and their households across Europe which led to, and were a major, if not THE cause of WW1. There had been in-fighting and wars in Europe for centuries prior to the assassination of Franz Ferdinand. I have not seen a programme yet that tells the roles of European monarchies. I get the feeling that programme makers are afraid to make a programme about those tales of woe. Such a programme would have to bring into the affray the UK monarchy (and 'we can't have that old chap'). Empire building was not just a British 'thing', The Austrian Empire, The Austro-Hungarian Empire, The Holy Roman Empire,... The ability of such royal families to languish in such a rich life-style required an immense amount of money and wealth, which did not just fall out of the sky. It came from taxing the population. It also required an army to maintain and protect the empire, and that army came from the same population. When a few toes were stood on, it was 'the thing to do' and send in the troops. (Can't have the darn natives kicking up rough). To protect against this, treaties were made to support one another in the event of an attack by a third (and you know where this leads to). Queen Elizabeth II was born in London. Her father George VI was born at Sandringham. His father George V was born in London (He was a grandson of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and the first cousin of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany.) His father Edward VII, was the eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. His mother was the eldest daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark. As a son of the Prince of Wales, George was styled His Royal Highness Prince George of Wales at birth. Edward VII was the first British monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, which was renamed the House of Windsor by his son, George V. His mother was Queen Victoria was the daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, the fourth son of King George III. Both the Duke of Kent and King George III died in 1820, and Victoria was raised under close supervision by her German-born mother Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. She inherited the throne at the age of 18, after her father's three elder brothers had all died leaving no legitimate, surviving children. Victoria married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in 1840. Their nine children married into royal and noble families across the continent, tying them together and earning her the nickname 'the grandmother of Europe'. I'll leave the rest of the history for some future programme maker to put together. I hope that they can conclude that the Queen is German - and I haven't mentioned Phil the Greek yet (the Prince of Greece and Denmark). I just hope that any new programme will show these European families for what they were - the real causes of WW1 and many others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Mills Posted 16 July , 2013 Author Share Posted 16 July , 2013 It's been almost three months since I posted on this thread but I've just come across another industry update on the WWI drama fest that is due to hit our TV screens starting next year: http://www.theknowledgeonline.com/the-knowledge-bulletin/post/2013/07/11/BBC-drama-season-for-Great-War-centenary?utm_source=tko&utm_medium=bulletin&utm_term=16.7.13&utm_content=great+war&utm_campaign=knowledge More as I get it... S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 16 July , 2013 Share Posted 16 July , 2013 Front line medics at base hospitals now that's a great trick if you can pull it off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cherchezlafemme Posted 16 July , 2013 Share Posted 16 July , 2013 I have not seen a programme yet that tells the roles of European monarchies. I believe this is what the 1974 mini-series, "Fall of Eagles," covered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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