..in about half-an-hour ! Preview write-ups are complimentary - I think it's either ITV or C4 ( UK).... ( No! It's BBC2...) [ 18. February 2004, 03:58 PM: Message edited by: Martin Bull ]
Hmm....it's a docu-drama isn't it. Means the thing has got a subjective point or points to make. Someone is in for a bashing. Hopefully it's not going to be the same stupid old incorrect chestnut that Britain abandoned France, because in reality though the French ordered their men not to leave, the French were being taken away from the start EVEN THOUGH the French didn't officially allow their men to go until day 6 of the 10 day evacuation! A third of the men taken were French anyway, about 127'000. Thought it was a damn good idea to show the SS massacre of British troops in a barn, and very effectively done too. Now I sit back and wait for Germany to serve up a formal complaint that the BBC is just stirring up old hates! Hate for the nazis and the SS? They were lovely cuddly misunderstood examples of ****** weren't they? (hmm.......couldn’t eat a whole one though?) No.9 [ 19. February 2004, 12:44 AM: Message edited by: No.9 ]
So far, so good....The acting of the reconstructions was very good, especially the War Cabinet scenes which gave a very good idea of what was at stake between Churchill and Halifax - and what might have happened if Halifax had prevailed..... I thought it was useful, as 'Dunkirk' has always had a rather 'wooly' image among the general public ie gallant Brits muddling through, 'Arf a' mo', 'Itler !' etc etc and the programme clearly showed that Dunkirk was not nice, the fighting was hard and nasty, and very great issues were at stake. Anyhow, the 'general viewer' ( as typified by my wife ) was going to watch for 5 minutes & then make a cup of tea ; watched right to the end of the final credits.
I thought it was pretty good. I didn't get a real feeling for the "overall" picture, except for the graphics....I thought the storyline w/ regards to the infantry/mortar unit was a bit shaky. But then, this is all based on the personal experiences of the men portrayed. What I personally don't like about these docu-drama's is the "reflective-interview-style" of filming at times. Having said that, the story did captivate me and I am looking forward to the second part tonight.
I was watching the second episode, when to my wife's surprise I went ARRRGGG!!!! and threw a cushion at the telly Amongst the shots of Luftwaffe aircraft attacking the beaches, there was a formation of llyushin ll-2 attacking the beaches as well. I HATE it when they do this
The storyline aside, the production gives me a headache. This is BBC which means a 5 bob production and wonderful luvvies with ‘brilliant’ ideas of what war is about and how war should be shown. A 5 bob production means no money for extras, props and location rental. Hence filming is done with very narrow cameral angles and copious use of close-ups. Result – a bloody claustrophobic film full of peoples faces! However, what really induces a headache is regular use of a handheld camera bouncing all over the f***ing place to supposedly give the impression of ‘live action’? What bollocks! – looks like the films my neighbour’s wife takes of her kids and the dog! It all suggests to me this is being made by a drama unit as opposed to a real film unit, with too many ignorant luvvies sticking their oar in with too many cr@p ideas. Sorry, I don’t rate it on composition and technique. No.9
I thought the series was pretty well done all in all, and some the sequences were very good, I found the depiction of the murder of the Warwickshires absolutely wrenching. I would criticise two things. Firstly, the series didn't really convey the enormity of the British losses of weapons, munitions and equipment that were abandoned in France. Secondly, the series made no mention of the RAF, whose aircraft flew thousands of sorties to help cover the evacuation - the 'miracle' of Dunkirk was a tri-Service achievement and the series didn't seem to reflect this. (And yes, that footage of the Il-2 Shturmoviks was bloody stupid).
Excellent point, Greenjacket. ( Altho' I've yet to watch pt. 3 ). The RAF at Dunkirk question was serious at the time - the Army felt badly let down by the RAF and afterwards there were some very nasty pub-fights between soldiers and airmen. Post-war research has shown that the RAF were heavily engaged with Luftwaffe fighters - but not directly over the beaches ; so the only aircraft generally seen by the soldiers were the Luftwaffe bombers which were tormenting them. A true story of this time concerns 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill during the Battle of Britain. A group of 92 pilots were drinking at the bar when a group of soldiers walked in. A Major walked up to one of the RAF officers, prodded his breast pocket and sneered : 'Ah - the RAF . Where's your DFC ?' To which the RAF type replied, looking at the Major's footwear : 'Ah - the Army . Where are your roller skates ?' A lot of damage was done to the bar before the Service Police arrived.....
It was ok. Reminded me of the tales from my grandad who got off Dunkirk beach... Didnt spot him on the archive film footage, but that was probally cos he went loco on the trip back to blighty...
