Island at War (2004– )

Period: Second World War. A quiet channel island community is thrown into turmoil by the invasion forces of Nazi Germany.

Stars:

Saskia Reeves, Owen Teale, Julia Ford

1 win.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Saskia Reeves	...	Cassie Mahy (6 episodes, 2004)
Owen Teale	...	PC Wilf Jonas (6 episodes, 2004)
Julia Ford	...	Kathleen Jonas (6 episodes, 2004)
Clare Holman	...	Felicity Dorr (6 episodes, 2004)
James Wilby	...	Sen. James Dorr (6 episodes, 2004)
Sean Gallagher	...	Sheldon Leveque (6 episodes, 2004)
Joanne Froggatt	...	Angelique Mahy (6 episodes, 2004)
Samantha Robinson	...	June Mahy (6 episodes, 2004)
Ann Rye	...	Ada Jonas (6 episodes, 2004)
Philip Glenister	...	Oberst Heinrich Baron Von Rheingarten (6 episodes, 2004)
Daniel Flynn	...	Hauptmann Dieter Muller (6 episodes, 2004)
Conor Mullen	...	Oberleutnant Walker (6 episodes, 2004)
Benjamin Whitrow	...	Bailiff Francis La Palotte (5 episodes, 2004)
Caroline Strong	...	Margaret (5 episodes, 2004)
Sean Ward	...	Colin Jonas (5 episodes, 2004)
Sam Heughan	...	Philip Dorr (5 episodes, 2004)
Laurence Fox	...	Bernhardt Tellemann (5 episodes, 2004)
Louisa Clein	...	Zelda Kay (5 episodes, 2004)
Stephen Mallatratt	...	Vicar (4 episodes, 2004)
Andrew Havill	...	Oberleutnant Flach (4 episodes, 2004)
Colin Tierney	...	Oberwachtmeister Wimmel (4 episodes, 2004)
Richard Dempsey	...	Eugene La Salle (3 episodes, 2004)
Nick Roud	...	Ronald (Colin's Friend) (3 episodes, 2004)

Storyline

Set during the occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II. The story shows how Island life changed overnight after a German invasion. Islanders were restricted to walking and cycling, town names were changed to German names, clocks were set to continental time, and no society could meet without the permission of German High Command. The focus is on three families, the Dorrs, the Jonases and the Mahys, as they struggle on with day to day life under the restrictive new system.

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Plot Keywords:

world war two | tv mini series | nazi occupation

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Details

Official Sites:

ITV [United Kingdom] PBS [United States]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 January 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ilha em Guerra

Filming Locations:

Castletown, Isle of Man

Box Office

Budget:

£9,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

540 min 540 min (6 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

Constable Jonas's WW1 medal ribbons were worn the wrong way around in every episode. The Bailiff, who had the same medals, was seen wearing them the right way around in episode 2.

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Quotes

[Leutnant Walker has invited Zelda to have a drink with him in a pub]
Zelda Kay: You think I'm friendly?
Leutnant Walker: Well, you're drinking with me.
Zelda Kay: And you're paying. I'm merely observing an alien species - much as one goes to the zoo.

User Reviews

Brilliant

An excellent drama, well acted and very entertaining. The actors have avoided the usual stereotypes often found in dramas concerning with war, portraying their characters as having different sides to them and not one dimensional human being.

Although it is, in some ways, unfair to single out any one performance I have to say that Philip Glenister and James Wilby have been particularly great. Two men on opposite sides, Philip Glenister's character appears strong and James Wilby's character would appear to be the weaker of the two.

However, they are probably more alike than either would care to admit. Two very compelling performances.

Congratulations to all those involved in this production, hope to see another series.