"We Are History" (2000) TV series 2000-2001

User Rating:

9.0/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

3 April 2000 (UK)

Genre:

Short | Comedy | History

Plot Keywords:

Fake Documentary

Cast

Marcus Brigstocke	...	David Oxley, B.A. (Hons) (12 episodes, 2000-2001)
Danny Robins	...	Miles (12 episodes, 2000-2001)
Daniel Tetsell	...	Keiron (12 episodes, 2000-2001)

Series Directed by
Sean Grundy		(6 episodes, 2000)
Alex Walsh-Taylor		(2 episodes, 2001)

Series Writing credits
Marcus Brigstocke		(12 episodes, 2000-2001)
Danny Robins		(12 episodes, 2000-2001)
Daniel Tetsell		(12 episodes, 2000-2001)

Series Produced by
Sebastian Barfield	....	assistant producer (8 episodes, 2000-2001)
Sean Grundy	....	producer (6 episodes, 2000)
Jeremy Howe	....	executive producer (6 episodes, 2000)
Tom Ware	....	series producer (6 episodes, 2000)
Jon Plowman	....	executive producer (2 episodes, 2001)
Alex Walsh-Taylor	....	producer (2 episodes, 2001)

Series Original Music by
Dominic Haslam		(3 episodes, 2001)

Series Cinematography by
Allan Barrett		(3 episodes, 2001)
David Evans		(2 episodes, 2000)

Series Film Editing by
Graham Portbury		(2 episodes, 2001)

Series Production Design by
Claire Bosworth		(6 episodes, 2000)

Series Costume Design by
Katherine Bohanna		(3 episodes, 2001)

Series Production Management
Jo Randall	....	production manager (2 episodes, 2001)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Lisa Drake	....	assistant director (2 episodes, 2000)

Series Art Department
Will Barrass	....	graphics (6 episodes, 2000)
James Rowell	....	production buyer (3 episodes, 2001)

Series Sound Department
Rama Bowley	....	off-line editor (6 episodes, 2000)
Martyn Harries	....	dubbing editor (6 episodes, 2000)
Steve Gatland	....	sound (5 episodes, 2000)
Sue Malpass	....	dubbing mixer (3 episodes, 2001)
Iwan Reynolds	....	sound recordist (3 episodes, 2001)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
David Evans	....	lighting camera (4 episodes, 2000)

Series Music Department
Dominic Haslam	....	composer: title music (6 episodes, 2000)

Series Other crew
Belinda Kirk	....	researcher (6 episodes, 2000)
Lucy Dwyer	....	production secretary (3 episodes, 2001)
Paul Rehman	....	programme finance assistant (3 episodes, 2001)
Claire Bridgland	....	production executive (2 episodes, 2001)
Liz Trott	....	researcher (2 episodes, 2001)

Series Thanks
The Humberstone Mystery Players	....	thanks (1 episode, 2000)
Pete Jester	....	thanks (1 episode, 2000)
The Kings Head Darts Team St. Neots	....	thanks (1 episode, 2000)
Pupils & Staff of Brislington School	....	thanks (1 episode, 2000)
Staff & Customers of Asda Superstore Bedminster	....	thanks (1 episode, 2000)
Terry Ludbrooke & Family	....	thanks (1 episode, 2000)
The Watt Family	....	thanks (1 episode, 2000)

Production Companies

• BBC Entertainment

Distributors

• BBC Entertainment (UK) (TV)

Runtime:

9 min (12 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Brislington School, Brislington, Bristol, England, UK

Company:

BBC Entertainment

History - the budget version

I wasn't quite sure what to make of We Are History. First of all it is a take-off of the many UK history shows (you know, Elizabeth I, the wives of Henry VIII, that kind of thing). Second, well, the humour is a cross between absurdist and slapstick. Third, a key feature is the use of real life locations and volunteer participation by enthusiastic members of the public in recreations of famous historical events. The episodes are about 10 minutes long, and the history is the concise version with gags.

So does it work? When it works it works well, but when the jokes fail they fail dismally. As a distraction between main event programming the show works well, but I doubt it could be promoted by itself.

I recommend it to anyone with an insane sense of humour, or, alternately, anyone watching late-night weekend programming (that's when the show normal airs here on Australia's ABC) who's had a few drinks.