kenneth505 Posted 2 February , 2014 Share Posted 2 February , 2014 The wife and I just managed to watch this and enjoyed it. I really liked the juxtaposing of modern imagery with the sepia tones. Especially the trains and the shots of random folk in modern cities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 2 February , 2014 Share Posted 2 February , 2014 Very sound, if somewhat sour, overview in the Times by AA Gill. He also gives the original and most excellent BBC Great War series a good plug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ridgus Posted 2 February , 2014 Share Posted 2 February , 2014 Very sound, if somewhat sour, overview in the Times by AA Gill. He also gives the original and most excellent BBC Great War series a good plugWhen the Great War series was rebroadcast prior to its DVD release, Gill's review was so fulsome that it was used in the publicity for its release and, if memory serves (my copy is at school), was actually printed on the DVD case.I also thought Hugo Rifkind's review in the Times yesterday was very fair. In fact he summed up a lot of the comments on this thread when he started, 'Primetime history documentaries are a tricky business, simultaneously needing to cater for people who know lots and people who know nothing.' David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 2 February , 2014 Share Posted 2 February , 2014 I also thought Hugo Rifkind's review in the Times yesterday was very fair. In fact he summed up a lot of the comments on this thread when he started, 'Primetime history documentaries are a tricky business, simultaneously needing to cater for people who know lots and people who know nothing.' I would certainly agree with this. I generally have no quarrel with the content and tone of Paxo's programme but just thought it a bit sloppy in the presentation. It just needed to be sharper. I often get a feeling with modern tv progs that the whole team does not get together at the end to review the almost finished product and fine tune and polish it - sort out the minor errors and remove the really average bits. Perhaps cost constraints just don't allow this any more. If so it's a pity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 3 February , 2014 Share Posted 3 February , 2014 Well Just watched tonights programme and I find Paxman doing a superb job in my opinion...... Dan Snow please note .... as far as I'm concerned Jeremy Paxman is different class... Well done the BBC regards Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobspark Posted 3 February , 2014 Share Posted 3 February , 2014 Yes tonight's programme was yet again very educational. Hopefully it will be shown in schools? Yes indeed well done BBC! Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 3 February , 2014 Share Posted 3 February , 2014 I missed the first episode as I had a rehearsal, but enjoyed tonight's, especially the personal stories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRANVILLE Posted 3 February , 2014 Share Posted 3 February , 2014 Well Just watched tonights programme and I find Paxman doing a superb job in my opinion...... Dan Snow please note .... as far as I'm concerned Jeremy Paxman is different class... Well done the BBC regards Tom Likewise, second this. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Hone Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 I've already used part of it with my Year 9s (Third Years in old money). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 An excellent effort. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony osborne Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 Watched last weeks and found it most enjoyable. Last night's recorded and looking forward to watching it. in my humble view a very good tool for using in schools as an introduction to the First World War. Have just finished Paxman's book "Great Britain in the Great War" - again in my humble opinion a very good overview and introductory read to the First World War. Good work Mr Paxman. Ant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Phillips Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 As an overview this is proving to be an excellent series. I agree with others a little more 'polishing' would have made it better. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 Dave I like the way that surviving traces of the war are included, last night had the inscriptions on the walls of the prison in particular the drawing of one inmate’s mother and also the gunpowder mill both of which I found very interesting indeed. Of course the letter home from the soldier was very poignant. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron da Valli Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 I have not been able to see it here yet (although a mate with a video feed from the BBC has it recorded for me) Regarding this picture though. I am not sure what it was represented as in the film, but if I had seen this and been asked to identify it here I would be very sure it was not taken in 1914 as he appears to be carrying a Pattern '14 rifle and deliveries did not start until considerably later (1916?). Chris He looks like the bloke that drives the fire engine on Trumpton! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 Paxo was far, far better this week I thought. Incidentally I see Snow has moved on to winter sport - so I suppose snow is falling - Snow on snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 Looked like Paxo didn't agree much with the conshie's either? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 Not only did he not seem to get on with the conchies, but he didn't hold back when interviewing the two guys in Glasgow about the strike by shipyard workers either. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 Yes, I too found the second episode better. Pleasing to see him take a stance on the conscientious objectors and strikers whether one agrees with him or not. I thought he might have mentioned the possibility that the Lusitania was carrying munitions in a quite long section on its sinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 I agree Ian a very refreshing change from the normal attitudes portrayed. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Sheldon Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 Paxo was far, far better this week I thought. Incidentally I see Snow has moved on to winter sport - so I suppose snow is falling - Snow on snow. I love it. You have won a virtual trip to Suchi. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anneca Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 I thought this episode was more interesting than the last. In particular the inscriptions on the walls of the prison, the drawing of the inmate's mother on the wall from his photograph, and the last letter home from the soldier. I don't understand Paxman's reason not to mention the Lusitania had been carrying munitions as this would only have taken a few seconds. Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 I agree Ian a very refreshing change from the normal attitudes portrayed. Norman Norman, do I take it that you view conscientious objection to compulsory military service as wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 I don't understand Paxman's reason not to mention the Lusitania had been carrying munitions as this would only have taken a few seconds. Yes, it would have been an interesting point of balance to the very sad description of the rosy cheeked baby casualty that Paxo seemed to rather relish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 Norman, do I take it that you view conscientious objection to compulsory military service as wrong? YES! Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 4 February , 2014 Share Posted 4 February , 2014 Sixth Commandment, 0 - Norman, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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