I thoroughly loved this TV series, very interesting and enjoyable. The only negative thing about it is the effects were lacking slightly, I did notice that the belt on one on the Vickers machine guns wasn't very convincing, slight let down but none the less, still very entertaining and realistic. TV series are usually a let down, however this one was the best one I've seen in a while. Hope they release this on a Box set! The actors were very good and the CGI was pretty good. If they do a mini- series about World War 2, I will definitely watch since this series was amazing, shame about it only being 3 Episodes long. BBC did a very good job at making this entertaining and I have to say, it was a must watch series.
27 Reviews
Will more episodes be produced?
tsand-24 May 2015
Just watched all three episodes on Netflix.
Exceptionally well produced, directed and acted. Production values are very good for TV.
I hope that if a season II is produced that they show the horror of poison gas used by both sides during the war as well as the fledgling use of airplanes as weapons of war.
The use of recorded WWI veterans voices is very moving.
As was the use of actual pictures and video blended into show. Not sure I like the introduction of modern music, but I understand the need to use objects to drawer younger viewers.
Does anyone know if more episodes are in production? Thanks
Exceptionally well produced, directed and acted. Production values are very good for TV.
I hope that if a season II is produced that they show the horror of poison gas used by both sides during the war as well as the fledgling use of airplanes as weapons of war.
The use of recorded WWI veterans voices is very moving.
As was the use of actual pictures and video blended into show. Not sure I like the introduction of modern music, but I understand the need to use objects to drawer younger viewers.
Does anyone know if more episodes are in production? Thanks
Excellent! Makes the viewer realize that these weren't grainy, black and white men enjoying themselves in a 'Great War'.
jmer-3500421 November 2017
I take a little umbrage to those who would prefer a more classic portrayal of this war. I have seen it. Yawn.
As for the music, would you rather have the more period specific backing the battle scenes? The music helps put the viewer in the scene by providing a modern touch point of what would probably be playing in the back of the mind of today's soldier if put into a similar situation. Those soldiers had that day's music in their heads; by scoring period music it forces the viewer to distance themselves from the story being told, rather than emotionally putting themselves into the middle of it. The same goes for the GoPro/game play cinematic style.
As far as the Mohawk helmet modification being absolutely unprecedented/not allowed on the WWI battle field, I submit exhibit A: http://tinyurl.com/ybww9dw6 - it did not take long to do a simple Google search debunking this statement.
This is an emotional telling of three distinct periods of a very brutal war.
As for the music, would you rather have the more period specific backing the battle scenes? The music helps put the viewer in the scene by providing a modern touch point of what would probably be playing in the back of the mind of today's soldier if put into a similar situation. Those soldiers had that day's music in their heads; by scoring period music it forces the viewer to distance themselves from the story being told, rather than emotionally putting themselves into the middle of it. The same goes for the GoPro/game play cinematic style.
As far as the Mohawk helmet modification being absolutely unprecedented/not allowed on the WWI battle field, I submit exhibit A: http://tinyurl.com/ybww9dw6 - it did not take long to do a simple Google search debunking this statement.
This is an emotional telling of three distinct periods of a very brutal war.
Brilliant
raypekin-160-32826515 August 2014
I watched this show with anticipation & in the end, I found that it was absolutely brilliant. Not only is the production great, the acting superb, the story line, which are taken from actual diaries & stories of the soldiers in World War I. I found this show to be honest in it's reflection to the soldiers in the Great War. It must have been horrifying for the men & women who in the beginning thought it was to be an adventure. I highly recommend this series for all adults to see. Having said that, I would not let children watch this show as the special effects are graphic but well done. Looking forward to watching the rest of the series.
Excellent but a shame about the music
trevor-mcinsley9 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The stories they chose to portray in this series were well chosen and incredibly well done. Made a real change from the generic trench horror stories and showed other aspects of the war. The action scenes were pretty brutal and intense and really made the viewer connect to what was happening and what the soldiers went through.
My only criticism is that the programme was clearly trying to target a young audience by throwing whatever awful style of music happens to be in the charts this week into the mix. It often jumped around quite randomly and spoiled the ambiance of the performance. I guess that this was out of some kind of desire to make the war seem more modern and relatable. Certainly the overhead thermal drone style shots and news style infographics of unit movements worked well. They made it feel a lot more relatable when we are all used to such things from Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of the music though just seemed like a bad attempt at doing likewise which just came off as being really out of place and bizarre.
Anyway, I apparently missed this when it first broadcast in the summer and only caught it when it was shown again on iPlayer later in the year. Watching this after 'The Passing Bells' really made this show stand out as being especially well directed and filmed. I would say it is definitely up there with the likes of Band of Brothers and The Pacific and considering that it is about World War One that is impressive.
My only criticism is that the programme was clearly trying to target a young audience by throwing whatever awful style of music happens to be in the charts this week into the mix. It often jumped around quite randomly and spoiled the ambiance of the performance. I guess that this was out of some kind of desire to make the war seem more modern and relatable. Certainly the overhead thermal drone style shots and news style infographics of unit movements worked well. They made it feel a lot more relatable when we are all used to such things from Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of the music though just seemed like a bad attempt at doing likewise which just came off as being really out of place and bizarre.
Anyway, I apparently missed this when it first broadcast in the summer and only caught it when it was shown again on iPlayer later in the year. Watching this after 'The Passing Bells' really made this show stand out as being especially well directed and filmed. I would say it is definitely up there with the likes of Band of Brothers and The Pacific and considering that it is about World War One that is impressive.
Puts you in 1914 and you can feel the tension...
Jose Guilherme11 April 2016
Reading some of the previous reviews I feel them to unjustly pick on the music used. I thought it helped and gives the right emotional tone. Its modern yes... so is the audience. Using the music from back then might be awkward.
Be it the music or the camera work... the program gives a fresh view of WW I and of the people who fought it. You feel like you are in the trenches waiting for battle. The actors look very much like the men they portray. I am very glad this is now available in Netflix and I sure hope to see a 2nd season. If you haven't seen it do so... this is some very very good directing and filming.
Be it the music or the camera work... the program gives a fresh view of WW I and of the people who fought it. You feel like you are in the trenches waiting for battle. The actors look very much like the men they portray. I am very glad this is now available in Netflix and I sure hope to see a 2nd season. If you haven't seen it do so... this is some very very good directing and filming.
The series I have been waiting for
donb-519-33507530 April 2015
Warning: Spoilers
With the 100th anniversary of WWI, we will see many specials and documentaries about the Great War - this may be one of the best.
The first episode deals with the battle of Mons (August 1914). The situation: after declaring war on Germany for their invasion of Belgium, the British sent 80,000 professional soldiers to the north of France and Belgium. Mons was the first serious engagement of the war for the British. The 4th Royal Fusiliers are featured in this episode.
This episode perfectly captures the naiveté and lack of reality the "boys" had before engaging in combat. They were joking and even fighting amongst themselves, just hours before first contact with the German army. This naiveté was symptomatic of all of Europe, which believed this would be a short war - the boys would be home by Christmas. No one recognized the horrors which were ahead of them during the next 4 years.
An interesting sidelight before the battle begins is the scorn of the Royal Fusiliers towards the new weapon - the machine gun. The Fusiliers were famous for very accurate and rapid shooting by which they could deliver approximately 15 shots a minute - an amazing rate with bolt action rifles. But the Vickers machine gun could deliver 600 rounds a minute. The efficacy of the machine gun would no longer be debated just minutes after the battle starts.
This episode presents the tactical situation just before and during the battle with over head shots of the Mons-Conde canal, using what looks like heat sensing capabilities to show troop deployments.
The role of runners - trying to relay the tactical situation between headquarters and the front line is a key feature in this episode. The futility of this method of communication was well demonstrated as the situation being faced by the men at the front was not understood by those "directing" the battle and often changed minutes after the runner had taken off with the information. One sees how dangerous this job was as basically the runner had no protection as he ran along the fire lines. Casualties among runners was horrendous.
This is one of the slightly irritating things about how the film was shot. Following the runners, the camera was jolted to simulate the actual experience of running. It was very realistic as running in this type of situation is anything but smooth, but I have never enjoyed the "jumpy camera" approach - whether it is a runner in WWI or a scared kid in the Blair Witch woods. Being fain though, had they not done this, I would have been critical of it not being realistic.
Finally the depiction of the actual fighting is very real. What struck me was the futility of calling for a stretcher during the height of the battle - an entirely fruitless effort. Casualties and deaths were occurring at such a rate, that saving anyone who was injured was at best, impossible at worst, suicidal.
Other reviewers commented unfavorably about the choice of music (80's rock). I guess I was so captivated by the action, I did not notice the music. The documentation for the specifics of the fighting (who did what) was the result of the actual citation written by Lt. Steele (who lived only three weeks past Mons). The document is shown in the Fusiliers museum in the Tower of London. Seeing the actual artifacts of historic events like this has always been very impactful for me.
Having seen only episode 1 of this series, I am already bemoaning the fact that there are only 2 episodes left. Recommendation: if you are interested in the action of WWI, this is a must see for you. If you are put off by scenes of violence and death, better pass on this one.
I am constantly humbled by the sacrifice made by men and women of both sides of this conflict which, in my opinion, is the most fascinating event in history.
The first episode deals with the battle of Mons (August 1914). The situation: after declaring war on Germany for their invasion of Belgium, the British sent 80,000 professional soldiers to the north of France and Belgium. Mons was the first serious engagement of the war for the British. The 4th Royal Fusiliers are featured in this episode.
This episode perfectly captures the naiveté and lack of reality the "boys" had before engaging in combat. They were joking and even fighting amongst themselves, just hours before first contact with the German army. This naiveté was symptomatic of all of Europe, which believed this would be a short war - the boys would be home by Christmas. No one recognized the horrors which were ahead of them during the next 4 years.
An interesting sidelight before the battle begins is the scorn of the Royal Fusiliers towards the new weapon - the machine gun. The Fusiliers were famous for very accurate and rapid shooting by which they could deliver approximately 15 shots a minute - an amazing rate with bolt action rifles. But the Vickers machine gun could deliver 600 rounds a minute. The efficacy of the machine gun would no longer be debated just minutes after the battle starts.
This episode presents the tactical situation just before and during the battle with over head shots of the Mons-Conde canal, using what looks like heat sensing capabilities to show troop deployments.
The role of runners - trying to relay the tactical situation between headquarters and the front line is a key feature in this episode. The futility of this method of communication was well demonstrated as the situation being faced by the men at the front was not understood by those "directing" the battle and often changed minutes after the runner had taken off with the information. One sees how dangerous this job was as basically the runner had no protection as he ran along the fire lines. Casualties among runners was horrendous.
This is one of the slightly irritating things about how the film was shot. Following the runners, the camera was jolted to simulate the actual experience of running. It was very realistic as running in this type of situation is anything but smooth, but I have never enjoyed the "jumpy camera" approach - whether it is a runner in WWI or a scared kid in the Blair Witch woods. Being fain though, had they not done this, I would have been critical of it not being realistic.
Finally the depiction of the actual fighting is very real. What struck me was the futility of calling for a stretcher during the height of the battle - an entirely fruitless effort. Casualties and deaths were occurring at such a rate, that saving anyone who was injured was at best, impossible at worst, suicidal.
Other reviewers commented unfavorably about the choice of music (80's rock). I guess I was so captivated by the action, I did not notice the music. The documentation for the specifics of the fighting (who did what) was the result of the actual citation written by Lt. Steele (who lived only three weeks past Mons). The document is shown in the Fusiliers museum in the Tower of London. Seeing the actual artifacts of historic events like this has always been very impactful for me.
Having seen only episode 1 of this series, I am already bemoaning the fact that there are only 2 episodes left. Recommendation: if you are interested in the action of WWI, this is a must see for you. If you are put off by scenes of violence and death, better pass on this one.
I am constantly humbled by the sacrifice made by men and women of both sides of this conflict which, in my opinion, is the most fascinating event in history.
Emotional Down to My DNA
angelique-903694 July 2017
I had six second cousins (two times removed) that I've discovered from ancestry research who died in WW1. From the ages of 18 to 42 they died in Turkey, France, Belgium, and India. All of them were buried where they died except one who died of his wounds and is buried in Kent, England. Two of them were in the Manchester 18th. Watching this series took me to the battlefields, and I felt as if I were in the thick of it with them. The series is an emotional experience when you know that you have the DNA of distant cousins who served, fought, and perished in this terrible war. This has been undoubtedly the most moving re-enactment and documentary about the war, at least for me. Well done.
Well produced but too revisionist
ekwright7-70-55665610 July 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I enjoyed the series as entertainment but became too irritated by the historical inaccuracy. Not so much of the war itself but of the social relationships between the officers and their men. In episode one they portray the Australian officer as a bolshie individualist - some of his men might have been - but Australian officers were schooled in exactly the same way as their English counterparts and had attitudes to match.
There is no way that officers would have taken the lip offered by their men as shown in the series. Such men would have been tied to artillery wheels for their impertinence. Nurses were given the rank of lieutenant and would not have fraternized openly with other-ranks - although there would have been some secretive liaisons behind the matron's back for sure. Capital punishment courts martial was a formal procedure and not awarded in the field as portrayed in episode 2. The Northern Irish army chaplain would not have taken kindly to being addressed in the manner of a Catholic Priest. Not on the Somme. And as a major he would not have accepted back-chat from a private either. *As a small side note on this, the Ulster volunteer contingent had actually named a part of the front line the Pope's Nose, so as to encourage themselves in the assault.
And the private with the Mohican helmet? in 1916? are you serious? He would have been up on a charge for not wearing his regulation helmet straight.
As for the Germans marching towards the bridge in formation order. Argghh. I can understand them being ambushed whilst on the march - and I think this is what actually happened - they were caught in a railway cutting or such like.
So no. Not brilliant. Entertaining, yes. Maybe even a little sinister if it is insinuating lost values.
There is no way that officers would have taken the lip offered by their men as shown in the series. Such men would have been tied to artillery wheels for their impertinence. Nurses were given the rank of lieutenant and would not have fraternized openly with other-ranks - although there would have been some secretive liaisons behind the matron's back for sure. Capital punishment courts martial was a formal procedure and not awarded in the field as portrayed in episode 2. The Northern Irish army chaplain would not have taken kindly to being addressed in the manner of a Catholic Priest. Not on the Somme. And as a major he would not have accepted back-chat from a private either. *As a small side note on this, the Ulster volunteer contingent had actually named a part of the front line the Pope's Nose, so as to encourage themselves in the assault.
And the private with the Mohican helmet? in 1916? are you serious? He would have been up on a charge for not wearing his regulation helmet straight.
As for the Germans marching towards the bridge in formation order. Argghh. I can understand them being ambushed whilst on the march - and I think this is what actually happened - they were caught in a railway cutting or such like.
So no. Not brilliant. Entertaining, yes. Maybe even a little sinister if it is insinuating lost values.
Brilliant depiction of a bygone War we all need to remember.
TruthTwentyFour12 May 2015
What the negative reviewers are failing to appreciate...
This is a mixed genre piece... Also, get over it.
Remember Knights Tale, and how effectively they used modern music to connect with a modern audience? "We will rock Rock you" for a jousting tournament? Remember Moulin Rouge! Solid examples of modern music, used in period pieces--to great effect, I'm thinking. We all imagine WW11 to the musical stylings of Vera Lynn, or can't imagine a WW1 piece without: It's a Long Way to Tipperary, all in black and white of course.
How does that hit our hearts now? This series has accurate uniform, armory, battles, replete with letters, and recorded statements from the participants involved. You don't get anymore historically accurate than this... Seriously, I can safely say it is a well researched portrayal. How about communicating that portrayal, so it is fully appreciated nowadays? How about expressing the extreme violence, nobleness and depravities of this period of history, in a language understandable to a modern day teenager--which were the fodder that we grinded up in this war? Perhaps, maybe, tell it in now, in this same young person's vocabulary, to express a greater truer impact of this conflict, in a way that will communicate to their own sensibilities? You know are youngsters now have currently been equally called out, and died in wars recently, that are perhaps stupider than this, and they just might benefit from what WW1 has to tell them. Why not make this piece accessible to them? This is nothing new in cinema, that hasn't been done many times over in the spirit of showing a generation, what previous generations have experienced. In my opinion, this is one of the stand outs, which makes history more tangible, something you can taste and feel, instead of a dusty old relic.
This is only a hundred years ago. We didn't have tails and were trying to avoid being eaten on the kalahari. The automobile, airplane, and telephone had already been incorporated into modern warfare.
They were listening to songs, like we are. This mixing of genres brings it home. It shows the relevancy of this war, and these young people, not it's antiquatedness. It was supposed to be: The war to end all Wars, and because it didn't, we might take pains to remind everyone of that fact.
Same assessment, for the modern in-camera portrayals, for the exact same reasons. YES!!! If the filmmakers of that day, could show what their generation went though, with the Pizazz this BBC production has, they would have been equally blown away, as I was watching this show.
Way to go BBC! Another brilliant example of how you are out-pacing other markets. A must see for anyone I can think of.
This is a mixed genre piece... Also, get over it.
Remember Knights Tale, and how effectively they used modern music to connect with a modern audience? "We will rock Rock you" for a jousting tournament? Remember Moulin Rouge! Solid examples of modern music, used in period pieces--to great effect, I'm thinking. We all imagine WW11 to the musical stylings of Vera Lynn, or can't imagine a WW1 piece without: It's a Long Way to Tipperary, all in black and white of course.
How does that hit our hearts now? This series has accurate uniform, armory, battles, replete with letters, and recorded statements from the participants involved. You don't get anymore historically accurate than this... Seriously, I can safely say it is a well researched portrayal. How about communicating that portrayal, so it is fully appreciated nowadays? How about expressing the extreme violence, nobleness and depravities of this period of history, in a language understandable to a modern day teenager--which were the fodder that we grinded up in this war? Perhaps, maybe, tell it in now, in this same young person's vocabulary, to express a greater truer impact of this conflict, in a way that will communicate to their own sensibilities? You know are youngsters now have currently been equally called out, and died in wars recently, that are perhaps stupider than this, and they just might benefit from what WW1 has to tell them. Why not make this piece accessible to them? This is nothing new in cinema, that hasn't been done many times over in the spirit of showing a generation, what previous generations have experienced. In my opinion, this is one of the stand outs, which makes history more tangible, something you can taste and feel, instead of a dusty old relic.
This is only a hundred years ago. We didn't have tails and were trying to avoid being eaten on the kalahari. The automobile, airplane, and telephone had already been incorporated into modern warfare.
They were listening to songs, like we are. This mixing of genres brings it home. It shows the relevancy of this war, and these young people, not it's antiquatedness. It was supposed to be: The war to end all Wars, and because it didn't, we might take pains to remind everyone of that fact.
Same assessment, for the modern in-camera portrayals, for the exact same reasons. YES!!! If the filmmakers of that day, could show what their generation went though, with the Pizazz this BBC production has, they would have been equally blown away, as I was watching this show.
Way to go BBC! Another brilliant example of how you are out-pacing other markets. A must see for anyone I can think of.
Brilliantly Haunting
doctorravello15 May 2017
I'm not sure why so many feel the need for spoiler alerts. Do you NOT know about WWI, the Armistice, Guns of August, etc.? If not, then you probably need a spoiler to appreciate this. Anyway, the drama is top notch and the other features (maps, real-life voices of Vets, etc. ) are well done. Music to me added an interesting twist, but nothing to worry about really. The acting & directing are spectacular. My only regret was that there were only three segments. it would be nice someday to see something similar from the German perspective.
Even if you have just a passing interest in this era, this is well worth watching.
Even if you have just a passing interest in this era, this is well worth watching.
Great Other Than 80's Music
donnadave100227 April 2015
The series is excellent, great scenery and special effects and story line but the choice of music is so inappropriate for the time period.
Why modern rock style music used?
Other than that its pretty good but the music selections are such out of character for the times back then. Makes me wonder what the producers were thinking.... perhaps they were just lazy or maybe they owed someone in the music industry a favor? Not that I didn't like the music on the series, it would have been better on some coming of age film set in the 90's. Its just not appropriate for that time period and distracted immensely from my enjoyment.
The camera work is very good, the angles and composition excellent, I wish the producers (and possibly director) would have thought about their music choices as much as they did the camera work. Thats why I gave it 5 stars, reissue this with more timely background music and I would update review to 10 stars
Why modern rock style music used?
Other than that its pretty good but the music selections are such out of character for the times back then. Makes me wonder what the producers were thinking.... perhaps they were just lazy or maybe they owed someone in the music industry a favor? Not that I didn't like the music on the series, it would have been better on some coming of age film set in the 90's. Its just not appropriate for that time period and distracted immensely from my enjoyment.
The camera work is very good, the angles and composition excellent, I wish the producers (and possibly director) would have thought about their music choices as much as they did the camera work. Thats why I gave it 5 stars, reissue this with more timely background music and I would update review to 10 stars
An excellent drama/doc
bootsblakeleyimdb3 April 2020
Got recommended this by a friend. It is now back on Iplayer and I am confined by lockdown. Have to sat this was one of the best I have seen for a long time. The stories picked to shine a light on small aspects of the great war were incredibly well done.
Wow
jrob091421 September 2017
This is what telling a story is all about. It feels like a real story and it is. The interspersed scenes of the real war work perfectly and the character development is just right for me. They do a great job of showing the progress of the battles which is missing in most all war stories. Finally this show affected me like nothing in a long time. Yes I cried like a baby at the end of episode 3. The first episode broke me up also and the knowledge of the bravery and the awards for it truly exhausted me. Action, truth, great stories, Perfect. The directors and producers need to learn from this how to tell the war stories from all wars in the last century.
Incredibly well done
SudaNim23 January 2021
The BBC do a good job with drama-documentaries, and this is a contender for their best yet. I watched it on release in 2014 and, 6 years on, have just watched them all again.
Forget a sterile narration of the strategic direction of WW1, these three episodes look at real events from the war and the stories are on a much more personal level, showing the war as a dynamic, mobile affair rather than focusing on the stalemate of the trenches. This gives an insight into the sort of horrors our grandfather/great grandfather/great great grandfather etc might have experienced. Definitely not for children, as the language and violence is on the strong side.
The endings feature the real recorded voices of the people whose stories are told and I thought that was a genius touch.
The only negative I can find is that there are only 3 episodes.
Forget a sterile narration of the strategic direction of WW1, these three episodes look at real events from the war and the stories are on a much more personal level, showing the war as a dynamic, mobile affair rather than focusing on the stalemate of the trenches. This gives an insight into the sort of horrors our grandfather/great grandfather/great great grandfather etc might have experienced. Definitely not for children, as the language and violence is on the strong side.
The endings feature the real recorded voices of the people whose stories are told and I thought that was a genius touch.
The only negative I can find is that there are only 3 episodes.
A great teaching tool.
shlaunchbury11 November 2020
My class loved it. Used this to inspire a "Letters from the Front" unit around Remebrance Day. Those kids will never forget it. The students were amazed to learn that the last Canadian killed in the Great War was buried at Mons, and recognized just how much was sacrificed for so little. My son and I have watched the series a few times over. Those who don't like it might not have the perspective of having seen kids learn history in a way that reaches them today.
Thanks BBC
Well I loved it!
wgfaej19 September 2017
Very much enjoyed this show. I don't get all fussed about rivet counting. And judging from some of the reviewers, they were expecting a tried and true formula. The "video game" graphics and modern music may have well drawn in the younger gen, and that's important.
There's lots of war movies out there, so you're comments about '80's rock music etc are misguided, this is how younger gen see things and it works.
Plus, I hate to say it, the US ones are usually better, and all I hear is "the yanks think they won the bloody war themselves!" Most of those in the know, know that's not true but frankly, Spielberg, Hanks et al. nailed it, sorry, they did, and if another country does the same, good one them. Dunkirk is a fine example, there was even a Canadian series modelled somewhat on BOB style that was modern, easy to follow with an accompanying web site (although it's gone now I think) History Canada's War Story. Same with Paul Gross in Passchendaele.
So I hope this give some of the younger less uptight gen a glimpse, of what the great war was like, from a first person perspective.
There's lots of war movies out there, so you're comments about '80's rock music etc are misguided, this is how younger gen see things and it works.
Plus, I hate to say it, the US ones are usually better, and all I hear is "the yanks think they won the bloody war themselves!" Most of those in the know, know that's not true but frankly, Spielberg, Hanks et al. nailed it, sorry, they did, and if another country does the same, good one them. Dunkirk is a fine example, there was even a Canadian series modelled somewhat on BOB style that was modern, easy to follow with an accompanying web site (although it's gone now I think) History Canada's War Story. Same with Paul Gross in Passchendaele.
So I hope this give some of the younger less uptight gen a glimpse, of what the great war was like, from a first person perspective.
Powerful and very moving
sabreur131 July 2019
Disappointing
billgrasha2 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I wasn't surprised when this suffered from what I have come to call British sound, with several bits at unintelligible levels. What made me stop watching was the heavy metal music. Seriously, rock (bad rock, at that) in a period piece/historical drama? And then the Go Cam hooked to the courier for running selfies that made viewing an annoying experience. I thought I had flashed back to the old Invisible Man TV series. And then there was the absurd shooting practice scene where the machine gun crew couldn't hit a large stationary can, but the infantry squad all seemed to be distant relatives of the Sundance Kid. They all seemed to hit the target while it was sailing through the air.
The stories told will help people to never forget the tragedies of the war
lomasjackson25 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Exceptional...though a bit hard to watch.
planktonrules7 August 2018
World War One was perhaps the most god-awful war to have fought in and although more documentaries and films have been made about the Second World War, the First killed off far more soldiers....leaving almost an entire generation of men gone or physically and emotionally damaged. "Our World War" is a show that finally gives the attention this hellish war deserves. However, it's NOT a traditional documentary consisting of grainy old footage. Instead, the BBC recreated select battles based on the notes and letters of enlisted men. It's brilliantly made and the BBC spare little expense to get the British soldier's experience right.
By the way, I do NOT recommend this great series to everyone. It's bloody, awful to watch at times and it's not a bad idea to have some Kleenex handy. This is because you get to know and like the men...and then, much of the time, then see them die before your very eyes in very vivid ways. If you've had PTSD, do not watch the show. If you have kids, do NOT let them watch the show. And, as for yourself...think twice about watching because the show is so well made, it's also horrid to watch.
By the way, I do NOT recommend this great series to everyone. It's bloody, awful to watch at times and it's not a bad idea to have some Kleenex handy. This is because you get to know and like the men...and then, much of the time, then see them die before your very eyes in very vivid ways. If you've had PTSD, do not watch the show. If you have kids, do NOT let them watch the show. And, as for yourself...think twice about watching because the show is so well made, it's also horrid to watch.
Outstanding series!
mtroypalmer17 December 2018
very well done
jjsoltis23 May 2018
Excellent series: gritty, realistic and engaging
grantss27 March 2019
Three true stories of British soldiers fighting in World War 1. Each one takes place at a different time and place in the war, focuses on a different unit and shows a different aspect to the war. In Episode 1 it is 1914 and we follow an infantry company defending a bridge in the Battle of Mons. In Episode 2 it is 1916: a soldier is on a firing squad, formed to execute a deserter after the Battle of the Somme. In Episode 3 it is 1918 and we follow a tank crew at the Battle of Amiens.
Excellent series. Very gritty and realistic in its feel, and quite accurate in its depiction of the events and action. The plots are based on actual accounts from soldiers involved, making for engaging viewing. Adding to the engagement is that you get to know the characters, their backstories, motivations etc. Makes it quite an emotional experience at times.
Not perfect though. In an effort to appeal to younger audiences a few modern-day features are thrown in. These are quite subtle though and don't detract too much from the stories. The modern music in the soundtrack is far from subtle but actually blends in quite well. Some of the first-person-shooter views are a bit jarring though.
Biggest negative: only three episodes were produced! This could easily have been expanded to dozens of episodes, there are that many documented unit-level stories of WW1 worth telling.
Excellent series. Very gritty and realistic in its feel, and quite accurate in its depiction of the events and action. The plots are based on actual accounts from soldiers involved, making for engaging viewing. Adding to the engagement is that you get to know the characters, their backstories, motivations etc. Makes it quite an emotional experience at times.
Not perfect though. In an effort to appeal to younger audiences a few modern-day features are thrown in. These are quite subtle though and don't detract too much from the stories. The modern music in the soundtrack is far from subtle but actually blends in quite well. Some of the first-person-shooter views are a bit jarring though.
Biggest negative: only three episodes were produced! This could easily have been expanded to dozens of episodes, there are that many documented unit-level stories of WW1 worth telling.
Enjoy this Immensely
wsidejack15 June 2018
I'm quite well read on the First World (Great) War and I enjoyed these three episodes a great deal. Although I was not there (on the battlefield) myself, the three episodes smacked of reality. They nicely drew on the experiences of individual soldiers (Paddy Kennedy, for example, is a major figure in Martin Middlebrook's classic work The First Day on the Somme and his story can found in print there) and the somewhat larger military picture was provided with some very nice computer graphics that added to the information but did not misrepresent or distort the real story. Later history (events since 1918) has obscured some things from the current view, but this war was a REALLY BIG DEAL for Great Britain and it and the subsequent events (political and otherwise) are in important ways responsible for how the Edwardian (Victorian) UK became the UK of today.
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