I liked man in the Man in the High Castle, although a lot of the time you are spoon fed the concepts and told what's going on more by pointless dialog and not by a simple matter of deduction. SS-GB is nothing like the Man in The High Castle, as far as I'm concerned, that's Sci-Fi and SS-GB is fiction. And I admit that I was put off thinking its UK version of the above and some pretty bad reviews. I should have ignored them, because after watching the first episode I had to binge on the next 2. SS-GB is dark and gritty, it's what I would expect of a UK based crime thriller. No fast car chases .. well there might be later, no 1000 bullet magazines or bar brawls. I could smell the "Big Smoke's", War Time atmosphere because the sets where so convincing. The pace was fine the tension build up was perfect, the dynamics between the characters great. The story and concept are an excellent piece of "What if", so I'm astounded by so much negativity about this series. What I have found is that all my friends over the age of 30 really enjoyed it and it's become a talking point during socialising. However below that age, it seems to need a lot of explanation, as in "Were the SS the German police?" etc., although Sam Riley's character made a good attempt of trying to explain the differences. And all this "Douglas Archer", mumbled a lot, total tosh! Stop watching it on your phone on the tube and appreciate the surround sound and glorious HD on a decent TV.
55 Reviews
British suspense and intrigue
KathleenK226 March 2017
I am thinking I must be watching a different show going by some of the comments on here. It is English not American so the style is probably what some people are unable to respond to positively. I hate everything spelled out for me. I like the English style which is more subtle and allows the viewer to imbibe the atmosphere and fill in some gaps and silences. Some other shows allows one to do this more but this one is still very English. I am liking the characterisation and the costumes and the setting all of which provide drama. Not everything is told in the dialogue. The main protagonist is handsome and mysterious. The female characters offer the possibility of more than one choice for romantic tension. The Nazis are dangerous but there is another group that will be difficult for the inspector to negotiate and stay on good terms with. He has a son to protect which means he has to tread carefully. I like this show and think it is worth at least an 8.
Moody and full of atmosphere
Sleepin_Dragon15 May 2017
The concept is definitely a good one, one of the darkest 'what if's' you can imagine, what would Britain have looked like if the Nazis had won the war?
As always the BBC gets the visuals spot on, the whole thing looks fantastic and slick from start to finish, the costumes, sets, effects are all amazing, it looks incredibly high budget. The story is very engaging, the first episode is a bit of a drag, but get past that and it opens up very well. It's definitely better then The Man in The High Castle, so much more realistic, you watch this and realise it could have happened, this is what life could have been like.
The sound at times was a little bit poor, with a little bit of mumbling, not a great deal, definitely nothing like Jamaica Inn. Accents, however, spot on, I'm glad they didn't use non authentic dialects.
If you're a fan of film noir, this will suit you, I hope very much that we get a second series. 8/10
As always the BBC gets the visuals spot on, the whole thing looks fantastic and slick from start to finish, the costumes, sets, effects are all amazing, it looks incredibly high budget. The story is very engaging, the first episode is a bit of a drag, but get past that and it opens up very well. It's definitely better then The Man in The High Castle, so much more realistic, you watch this and realise it could have happened, this is what life could have been like.
The sound at times was a little bit poor, with a little bit of mumbling, not a great deal, definitely nothing like Jamaica Inn. Accents, however, spot on, I'm glad they didn't use non authentic dialects.
If you're a fan of film noir, this will suit you, I hope very much that we get a second series. 8/10
Good!
borislav-us21 February 2017
I enjoyed this much more than The Man in The High Castle.
Maybe it's the way the characters are developed, or it could be the location, but it is smart and stylish and purely enjoyable to watch.
There is definitely a huge potential into creating a thrilling and complex series set in a fantastically well imagined alternative history setting.
Hope it gets momentum!
I did not experience any sound problems but did not watch it live.
Maybe it's the way the characters are developed, or it could be the location, but it is smart and stylish and purely enjoyable to watch.
There is definitely a huge potential into creating a thrilling and complex series set in a fantastically well imagined alternative history setting.
Hope it gets momentum!
I did not experience any sound problems but did not watch it live.
difficult first episode but better than most people say
ib011f9545i24 February 2017
I have read the book about 10 times,I am a fan of the writer,Len Deighton,he is a World War 2 nut and obsessed by detail,which seems to be unpopular nowadays.
I admit it was a difficult first episode,the plot is not clear at the moment but I hope people will stick with it,I am sure it will grow on us. If people are expecting a fast paced thriller they will be disappointed but I think it will turn out to be a quality production. No plot spoilers but Deighton is a World War 2 expert who has upset some people by pointing out facts from 1939-1941 that some people want to ignore or forget. I did not have any problem with the so called mumbling,I would have liked more pace but I really don't understand why people are being so negative about this production. As for the constant comparisons with The Man In The High Castle,I know that book and it is based on history,unlike SS-GB.
I admit it was a difficult first episode,the plot is not clear at the moment but I hope people will stick with it,I am sure it will grow on us. If people are expecting a fast paced thriller they will be disappointed but I think it will turn out to be a quality production. No plot spoilers but Deighton is a World War 2 expert who has upset some people by pointing out facts from 1939-1941 that some people want to ignore or forget. I did not have any problem with the so called mumbling,I would have liked more pace but I really don't understand why people are being so negative about this production. As for the constant comparisons with The Man In The High Castle,I know that book and it is based on history,unlike SS-GB.
I'm in love!
MadeleineP28 March 2017
Incredible TV show! I watched all the episodes and I really enjoyed them all. Sam Riley is incredible as Douglas Archer. Smart dialogues, the characters are great and is a great drama. So stylish! SS-GB deserves to have more success. And this final?! What happened with Douglas? I hope it will have a second season. Please BBC give us five more episodes!
You'll need to turn on the closed captions
cbradbur29 December 2018
Gritty and enjoyable; a great alternate-history BBC drama
cybersnake12 June 2019
SS-GB gives us a new taste for gritty British 1940's drama in this TV-adaptation of the novel by Len Deighton. Featuring impressive acting by the entire cast, especially Lars Eidinger as Standartenführer Huth, the show exemplifies BBC drama at its best. With much of the show left open to interpretation and the show ending on a rather inconclusive note it is no surprise that some critics complain about not being spoon-fed every aspect of the show. However, if this should be taken seriously as a criticism is doubtful.
All in all, I can definitely recommend this show to anyone who enjoys a really gritty atmosphere and some goose-stepping.
Side note: It is so rare that TV-shows from outside of Germany employ actual German actors to play German characters. It was very enjoyable to not have to listen to terrible accents and instead actors who can actually speak German well.
Side note: It is so rare that TV-shows from outside of Germany employ actual German actors to play German characters. It was very enjoyable to not have to listen to terrible accents and instead actors who can actually speak German well.
Good, if Limited in Scale and Scope
By-TorX-130 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
By coincidence, I read Len Deighton's novel only a few weeks before discovering that it had been dramatised by the BBC, so the plot and characters were fresh as I watched SS-GB. Overall, I think it is an effective drama (I'm not concerned with the 'Mumblegate' that has surrounded the series) with a number of strong performances, especially those of Lars Eidinger as Oskar Huth and Maeve Dermody as Sylvia (whose role is nicely expanded upon in comparison to the novel). Yes, Sam Riley is a little on the young side to fully convince as 'Archer of the Yard', but he does provide a stylish presence, and it would be good to see more of the character. Fundamentally, the concept is an imaginative one, however the reality of a Nazi-occupied Britain does not quite come off due to obvious budget restrictions, as such, the scale and social impact of the German military presence is never really fully established or effectively visualised. Furthermore, the series really needed an extra episode as the plot strands (the atomic research base attack and the freeing of the King) rather abruptly come to a crux. However, by adding some revisions to Deighton's plot, the series does leave the way open for further Archer adventures, which hopefully will appear in the near-future
my gosh, anyone understand the main actor's Riley spoken English ?
surfisfun4 March 2018
Horrible muffle/mosh spoken English by Riley . Would be great to fairly hear and understand the dialogues.
its amazing how many complaint ,not only this series,about creating tension or something wt actors talking low wt throathy and mouthy muffle talking most of the time. its ridiculous.
show ok but hard to get into because of this.
Seems to be getting better
mnorthco-128 February 2017
A lot of reviews seem to have this series decided from the first episode. Well I enjoyed the first episode and the second seems to have improved the quality of the series.
The premise is hardly new and despite the book being out in the 70s it seems like it has similarities to "The man in the high castle" but, other than the premise that Germany won the war, it's not.
I think it's closer to 40s film noir where the hero/Nazi Sympathiser(?) is constantly lied to and friends become enemies and visa versa. I'm going to give it a go and see where it goes. I'm hopeful.
The premise is hardly new and despite the book being out in the 70s it seems like it has similarities to "The man in the high castle" but, other than the premise that Germany won the war, it's not.
I think it's closer to 40s film noir where the hero/Nazi Sympathiser(?) is constantly lied to and friends become enemies and visa versa. I'm going to give it a go and see where it goes. I'm hopeful.
Good, but not compelling or entirely convincing
grantss5 June 2017
England, 1941. Germany, having successfully invaded in 1940, is now in control of the UK. The SS now run the country but for general law and order they rely on the British Police. One such policeman is Superintendent Douglas Archer (Sam Riley), a famed Scotland Yard detective. Archer walks a thin line, as his job requires him to work closely with the despised SS, the vanguard of Nazi fascism. To some this makes him a traitor. An English resistance movement exists but Archer believes that resistance is futile and will only lead to further bloodshed. Then a murder case draws him into the struggle, and into a plot of international proportions.
A decent whodunnit, alternate history and espionage drama, all rolled into one. Based on a novel by Len Deighton, there is a fair amount of intrigue and the whole "What if?"" scenario of Germany conquering the UK is interesting too.
Not entirely compelling though. Not everything makes sense, some things feel contrived, there are inaccuracies and inconsistencies which make the script and direction feel a bit loose and the ending (of Season 1) is a bit of a let-down.
Overall: intriguing enough, but feels a bit flat in the end. Hopefully there is a second season, as Season 1 feels a bit up-in- the-air. I was under the impression that this is a mini series though, which doesn't bode well for us that want some sort of closure to the story.
A decent whodunnit, alternate history and espionage drama, all rolled into one. Based on a novel by Len Deighton, there is a fair amount of intrigue and the whole "What if?"" scenario of Germany conquering the UK is interesting too.
Not entirely compelling though. Not everything makes sense, some things feel contrived, there are inaccuracies and inconsistencies which make the script and direction feel a bit loose and the ending (of Season 1) is a bit of a let-down.
Overall: intriguing enough, but feels a bit flat in the end. Hopefully there is a second season, as Season 1 feels a bit up-in- the-air. I was under the impression that this is a mini series though, which doesn't bode well for us that want some sort of closure to the story.
Why mumble?
per-18124 February 2017
The concept of this alternative history is quite interesting, but the same cannot be said about how it is executed in this series. What's with the husky mumbling that seems to permeate all BBC drama productions lately? Sam Riley is even worse than Tom Hardy in "Taboo"... Add to that a whole lot of general whispering and thick Scottish accents, and subtitles become a necessity. And there is nothing wrong with neither my hearing nor my comprehension of regional English – you can throw heavily accented stuff like John Bishop, Jimmy Nail, James Nesbitt and the Wurzels at me all day, no problem.
The bad diction ruins the enjoyment of the show (just as with the aforementioned Taboo, where a ridiculously gibberish dialogue makes the matter even worse – on the few occasions when you can hear what they say, it makes no sense – Jonathan Pryce is the only professional on that show), and it is utterly disrespectful towards the audience.
The bad diction ruins the enjoyment of the show (just as with the aforementioned Taboo, where a ridiculously gibberish dialogue makes the matter even worse – on the few occasions when you can hear what they say, it makes no sense – Jonathan Pryce is the only professional on that show), and it is utterly disrespectful towards the audience.
A rather disappointing effort.
guylyons27 February 2017
Directed in a 1940's style, with a skeleton cast . The series lacks tension, and the script feels wrong, as we try to believe the country is under occupation. All of the characters lack any type of charisma, and the production is rather boring to say the least. Even a better use of extras, might have offered a more active, and believable looking story, with London looking like a desert. The series has the look of a production, where the budget constraints have, created a poorly created visual experience. The problems with episode one were sound related, now into the second instalment, i found myself not giving a toss about what will happen. Having tried to enjoy the Halycon, and given up, this is even worse.A great story is in danger of being ruined, all because the story teller, has failed in the basics. We have so much quality drama to see today,when compared with current successful offerings this production is simply not entertaining, nor anything like good enough.
Casablanca goes to London......
s327616918 March 2017
What to make of SS GB? There's are a lot that's familiar here and a little that's more exotic.
First off the familiar. This series shares a lot in common with films like Casablanca. A sleuth, a mysterious woman and a conspiracy of sorts, set against the backdrop of Nazi occupation.The feel of the series, I believe, quite intentionally tries to capture the atmosphere of this era of film. The detective is a sophisticated type, well educated and debonair in a very 40's kind of way. The blonde love interest, mysterious and stylish. Its all quite calculated and in a superficial way, it works.
The exotic comes in the form of an alternate history, where the Germans win the Battle of Britain and occupy the country. Its a novel idea but not that novel. After all, The Man in the High Castle, takes a similar premise.
The real question is does all of this amount to much? I'd say this series is partially successful. The relationship between the SS and the UK police detective, is a little predictable and the overriding conspiracies need something more. Tying to snatch the King out of the clutches of the SS and spirit him away to safety is not really all that interesting. There's a degree of tiresome elitism about the premise, that's not terribly appealing. There's a nuclear conspiracy thing going on too, that is a little more promising.
As it stands an interesting watch. Lets see where it goes. Seven out of ten from me.
First off the familiar. This series shares a lot in common with films like Casablanca. A sleuth, a mysterious woman and a conspiracy of sorts, set against the backdrop of Nazi occupation.The feel of the series, I believe, quite intentionally tries to capture the atmosphere of this era of film. The detective is a sophisticated type, well educated and debonair in a very 40's kind of way. The blonde love interest, mysterious and stylish. Its all quite calculated and in a superficial way, it works.
The exotic comes in the form of an alternate history, where the Germans win the Battle of Britain and occupy the country. Its a novel idea but not that novel. After all, The Man in the High Castle, takes a similar premise.
The real question is does all of this amount to much? I'd say this series is partially successful. The relationship between the SS and the UK police detective, is a little predictable and the overriding conspiracies need something more. Tying to snatch the King out of the clutches of the SS and spirit him away to safety is not really all that interesting. There's a degree of tiresome elitism about the premise, that's not terribly appealing. There's a nuclear conspiracy thing going on too, that is a little more promising.
As it stands an interesting watch. Lets see where it goes. Seven out of ten from me.
Stylish and realistic alternate history with good character actors
BeneCumb2 August 2018
From time to time, I find myself interested in utopias, dystopias and what-if stories, being not a particular fan, but if the narration is logically developed, then it is catchier than "pure" sci-fi totally based on fantasy.
As ratings here are not so friendly, I had some prior doubts, but alas - the work captivated me from the very beginning and the choice of becoming actors (both English and German, so the German language was used when needed) let the watching smoothly. The era and atmosphere were well taken, the benchmarks of the 1941 events correct (e.g. Soviets and Nazis were rather close until WW II) and the involvement of the US at that time was as it was... True, some moments were odd (e.g. use of public pay phones under dictatorial occupation), the crime itself was soon pushed to the background and the ending could have been wittier, but, in general, SS-GB is a worthy time spending for those interested in both history and crime story.
I suggest to watch this miniseries as an "ordinary" drama, without moral dilemmas or painful spite regarding Nazi symbols in London. Otherwise you will be in the sulks and downgrade its merits...
As ratings here are not so friendly, I had some prior doubts, but alas - the work captivated me from the very beginning and the choice of becoming actors (both English and German, so the German language was used when needed) let the watching smoothly. The era and atmosphere were well taken, the benchmarks of the 1941 events correct (e.g. Soviets and Nazis were rather close until WW II) and the involvement of the US at that time was as it was... True, some moments were odd (e.g. use of public pay phones under dictatorial occupation), the crime itself was soon pushed to the background and the ending could have been wittier, but, in general, SS-GB is a worthy time spending for those interested in both history and crime story.
I suggest to watch this miniseries as an "ordinary" drama, without moral dilemmas or painful spite regarding Nazi symbols in London. Otherwise you will be in the sulks and downgrade its merits...
Watch, if only to remember the evils of Nazism, and the extreme right!!
colinspringett13 March 2017
Although some parts are difficult to understand due to audio quality. The series has some good scenes of London and an opportunity to consider how German occupation would have effected the populous. The 'real' evils of the Nazis does bubble to the surface, but, as yet, not in any horrendous form. I do believe, reading somewhere, that the Nazis were planning a large camp just outside St. Albans, North of London, as they would have taken advantage of the rail network, as they did elsewhere! Worth watching if only not to forget the evil that took place during war.
At Episode 1 - I Like So Far...
joebloggz25 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
1) Interesting so many reviews mainly concentrate purely on reviewers' opinion that the whole show is ruined by a (certainly at times) softly spoken lead actor/character... shame as this is not the case.
Sam Riley in this role reminds me of other popular UK Police/Crime investigators... Foyle, Morse, Holmes & long-running cast members from 'The Bill' who at times (or typically) especially the older, more seasoned officers, are fairly gentle in both mannerisms & their speech - probably finding it more successful with their investigating & the public's assistance? I really fail to get such huge criticism of the audio / his speech as the main comments...
The show very hopefully will appeal to fans of 'Foyles War' as it does me...the widowed main character here Chief Inspector Douglas Archer is also somewhat hen-picked & under-appreciated by his superiors (although more complex relationship & rank structure here as they are often German occupiers), appears quite a nice & polite gent just trying to do a tough job & bring up his son, made all the tougher by political interference.
I still adore Rutger Hauer in 1994's unfortunately all-too-rare 'Fatherland' as the best alternative-War-Drama...but let's give it a chance at least to complete the season?
Sam Riley in this role reminds me of other popular UK Police/Crime investigators... Foyle, Morse, Holmes & long-running cast members from 'The Bill' who at times (or typically) especially the older, more seasoned officers, are fairly gentle in both mannerisms & their speech - probably finding it more successful with their investigating & the public's assistance? I really fail to get such huge criticism of the audio / his speech as the main comments...
The show very hopefully will appeal to fans of 'Foyles War' as it does me...the widowed main character here Chief Inspector Douglas Archer is also somewhat hen-picked & under-appreciated by his superiors (although more complex relationship & rank structure here as they are often German occupiers), appears quite a nice & polite gent just trying to do a tough job & bring up his son, made all the tougher by political interference.
I still adore Rutger Hauer in 1994's unfortunately all-too-rare 'Fatherland' as the best alternative-War-Drama...but let's give it a chance at least to complete the season?
What if ?
peterrichboy19 March 2017
The Germans had won the Battle of Britain invaded and history would have taken a sinister turn for the worse. The truth is we will never know but this series based on Len Deightons book does an admirable job of suggesting what might have been. Sam Reilly plays a Scotland Yard detective now under the rule of the SS who is torn between his new masters and his loyalty to King and country. Whilst not as good as Amazons big budget Man In The High Castle. It still raises many questions of might have been.
A Major Disappointment
scottwood-4824223 February 2017
I had greatly looked forward to this adaption of a very good novel. 5 minutes into the first episode I was appalled by the atrocious quality of the sound and diction from the main actor, Sam Riley. Riley 'spoke' throughout in a ridiculous growly and throaty barely audible mumble which seems to be becoming a BBC speciality of late, with several series garnering similar complaints. Time to put a stop to it. What is the point of actors unable or unwilling to speak clearly?
Kept my interest throughout .
jeanlesley2 May 2018
Excellent . Kept me interested throughout the episodes . Sam Riley was very good as Douglas Archer . I love his voice and those people who complained about the sound should put the volume control up or use an hearing aid .I did not have a problem. If there was a problem with the sound then that is the sound technician' s fault not the actors .
SS uniforms look a little cheap
vojkomecena6 March 2017
I've seen first two episodes, and while I overall like the series so far, I must say that I totally unlike the cheap looking SS uniforms. Somebody who takes care of that could have done his/her job a little better. German movie Downfall (Der Untergang, 2004.) is an example of how it's done properly. BBC should have higher standards.
Mumble; mumble; mumble !!
evanscott-9375319 February 2017
The lead actor mumbles and whispers all the time. Is he worried the Germans are listening? At least he does speak in German sometimes and the subtitles ARE understandable.
Was looking forward to this; rename "The Mumbling Man in the Very Low Castle" !! Awful; hackneyed (though not filmed there); predictable; Ugh !!
Was looking forward to this; rename "The Mumbling Man in the Very Low Castle" !! Awful; hackneyed (though not filmed there); predictable; Ugh !!
Unbelievable fiction
Vindelander12 May 2020
Not Len Deighton's finest story. I only stayed with it as I kept waiting for something for it to improve- but it didn't. Average acting, average directing, poor script.
Time again I wouldn't bother frankly. It's a stupid concept anyway reversing the outcome of WW2 - may as well make a film about Corbyn taking Britain to a glorious future.
Time again I wouldn't bother frankly. It's a stupid concept anyway reversing the outcome of WW2 - may as well make a film about Corbyn taking Britain to a glorious future.
Wonderful
pjolalor-4958012 March 2017
What if.., ? Drama; yes. The human condition is alive and well! It may be fiction, but it's characters, are real.
It could have went further and I certainly would have liked it to. It's refreshing in a day of regurgitated series.
The ending will be its final judgment though.
I am looking forward to it.
It could have went further and I certainly would have liked it to. It's refreshing in a day of regurgitated series.
The ending will be its final judgment though.
I am looking forward to it.
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