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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 1, 2017 0:21:50 GMT
Anyone else catch this on BBC 2 on Monday evening?
I thought it was a heartbreaking but still wonderful piece of television. Beautifully written by Patrick Gale and acted brilliantly by the cast including James McArdle and Frances De La Tour
It will be interesting to see how the second part compares - but I will be certain to be tuning in. It is rare for me to be so captivated by a TV drama. Absolutely worth catching on iPlayer if you can.
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Post by alece10 on Aug 1, 2017 4:59:51 GMT
Recorded it to watch tonight along with some BBC4 progs that were on later and part of the Queer series.
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Post by richey on Aug 1, 2017 5:16:38 GMT
Incredibly moving drama as was Queers on BBC4 afterwards. The Beeb really are excelling themselves with their Gay Britannia series
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2017 6:41:50 GMT
It was wonderful and, sorry to bring the tone down, where has Oliver Jackson-Cohen been all my life? That chest is something else.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2017 7:34:17 GMT
Really excited to see this (love Gale's novels) but I needed a day or two more headspace between McArdle-in-Angels and McArdle-in-this.
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Post by theatreian on Aug 1, 2017 15:48:59 GMT
I echo the thoughts above . A truly wonderful piece of drama. Oliver Jackson-Cohen was an added benefit!
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Post by n1david on Aug 1, 2017 15:57:46 GMT
Can’t wait to see this (I’m on hols outside the UK now). Been a fan of Gale’s novels for years, many of which I have thought would make great TV, so looking forward to it. Will probably do the one-two next Monday with the first on catchup and the second live.
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Post by tmesis on Aug 1, 2017 16:07:16 GMT
I though this was terrific. I can't wait to see how Gale develops this in the second episode.
What a great cast too, with the bonus of the Radiant Redgrave, and James McArdle (how talented is this guy) just breaks your heart.
I can recommend Patrick Gale's books wholeheartedly (I've read every one!) His early stuff is enjoyable, but maybe a tad over-whimsical; all of his later stuff, from Rough Music onwards, is brilliant.
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Post by stevemar on Aug 1, 2017 16:28:55 GMT
A huge thumbs up for Man In An Orange Shirt too - I thought this was almost pitch perfect in showing the consequences of the almost impossible choice Michael made (and lived with) and the enormous heartache and pain on him, his wife Flora and Thomas. I was surprised at the range of Oliver Jackson-Cohen, so not just a pretty boy though his eyes and chest are pretty much perfect - hands off, I saw him first in Mr Selfridge!
James McArdle was wonderful too (pretty much as I would have hoped from Angels/Platanov). Only minor criticism would be the overly romantic swelling of orchestral strings now and again.
I certainly intend to read some Patrick Gale now - enjoyed the interview with Stephen Fry which I caught up with also.
----
Just as overwhelming was Against the Law last week. Daniel Mays was just brilliant, and the mix of real life interviews really worked well and fed into the action even though it seemed odd at first to break off from the drama.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2017 16:32:55 GMT
where has Oliver Jackson-Cohen been all my life? Son of Betty Jackson, the fashion designer too . . . |
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Post by oxfordsimon on Aug 1, 2017 17:16:28 GMT
A huge thumbs up for Man In An Orange Shirt too - I thought this was almost pitch perfect in showing the consequences of the almost impossible choice Michael made (and lived with) and the enormous heartache and pain on him, his wife Flora and Thomas. I was surprised at the range of Oliver Jackson-Cohen, so not just a pretty boy though his eyes and chest are pretty much perfect - hands off, I saw him first in Mr Selfridge! James McArdle was wonderful too (pretty much as I would have hoped from Angels/Platanov). Only minor criticism would be the overly romantic swelling of orchestral strings now and again. I certainly intend to read some Patrick Gale now - enjoyed the interview with Stephen Fry which I caught up with also. ---- Just as overwhelming was Against the Law last week. Daniel Mays was just brilliant, and the mix of real life interviews really worked well and fed into the action even though it seemed odd at first to break off from the drama. Against the Law didn't work for me as well as the Channel 4 take on the same topic ten years ago - A Very British Sex Scandal (which you can find on All4 and YouTube I believe). It was good - but I prefer the slightly broader canvas of the C4 version. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2017 7:49:30 GMT
Excellent drama which really depicts the anguish and heartache of so many would be gay couples back then. As somebody said in the programme "Married men with children, there are a lot of them about" - we have certainly come a ways since then. There are alternatives to living a lie and fortunately more and more people see that.
Superb acting from the protagonists especially Oliver Jackson-Cohen who has shown us he is certainly much more than eye candy. I'd only ever seen him in Emerald City before where he was really just notable for his physique.
Can't wait for next week's episode to see how it all spans out,
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2017 8:07:19 GMT
Oh for goodness sake James McArdle do you have to be so bloody good? honestly if that man devastates me with a look one more time I might sue the bastard. In all seriousness everyone was very good (even 'Lady Edith') and I love the concept of the two parallel stories- can't wait to see where it goes next week. I really liked the post-war setting as well as a really interesting time to explore the relationship in. I feel like there's a fair few war/pre stories about, and a lot more later ones, but that era in terms of social norms evolving but also being held onto was a really fascinating backdrop. Their two lives and the decisions made about how you live your life or not was really interesting, as was the depiction of the women in the story- Gale is particularly good at writing women too if I recall from his books. I recommend Gale's books I haven't read any of his newer ones but they're now on my list! |
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Post by hulmeman on Aug 2, 2017 8:31:13 GMT
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Post by theatreian on Aug 3, 2017 7:02:25 GMT
Thanks for that reminder hulmeman.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2017 7:36:58 GMT
Thanks for that reminder hulmeman. Doing the Lord's work. In fact if anyone is inclined I'd really like some more reminders. For...research. Yeah let's call it that. Research. |
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Post by stevemar on Aug 3, 2017 13:43:41 GMT
From iNews, part of the review reads:
"Michael Berryman (played by the unbelievably handsome Oliver Jackson-Cohen) is away at war, separated from his fiancée, Flora (the equally beautiful Joanna Vanderham). There, he helps save war painter Thomas March (James McArdle) from a bullet, and the two begin a passionate relationship."
It made me laugh - a bit unfair on James McArdle, he's beautiful too in my eyes!
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Post by glossie on Aug 3, 2017 13:47:20 GMT
Just watched on i-player. In bits. (me, that is..not the programme...)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2017 13:50:51 GMT
OK people. Now don't ever say that I don't do anything for you all.  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2017 13:54:46 GMT
From iNews, part of the review reads: "Michael Berryman (played by the unbelievably handsome Oliver Jackson-Cohen) is away at war, separated from his fiancée, Flora (the equally beautiful Joanna Vanderham). There, he helps save war painter Thomas March (James McArdle) from a bullet, and the two begin a passionate relationship." It made me laugh - a bit unfair on James McArdle, he's beautiful too in my eyes! Let me at him, I'll fight him on that one.
@ryan *bows down* I had to strangle a NSFW noise then.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 19:04:42 GMT
This was unfortunately slightly spoilt for me by having watched the preliminary illustrated Patrick Gale conversation with Stephen Fry as I knew exactly what was coming most of the way through. And it was a bit "painting by numbers" anyway. But, even so, it started to work on me eventually. Part Two tonight - another downer, I expect.
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Post by theatreian on Aug 7, 2017 21:28:16 GMT
Just watched part two and have to say it was as good as part one. Beautifully acted and produced. Well done BBC.
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Post by stevemar on Aug 7, 2017 21:48:29 GMT
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Post by n1david on Aug 7, 2017 22:13:18 GMT
Personally, I preferred the second part - I thought the first part was a bit trad BBC period drama, although a high quality version of such given the quality of the writing and the acting. For me the drama came alive in the second part, when the impact fell through the years. The acting wasn't as good (Vanessa excepted), nor the writing, but it had a greater impact on me. I also thought it was interesting that people who might have been lulled into the historical drama in part one ended up with lots of app sex in part two...
The Radio Times interview that stevemar linked above is fascinating - six years from first meeting to broadcast! I read an interview with James McArdle who was disappointed that this ended going out on BBC2 in the Gay Britannia season as he thought this marginalised the series, possibly reducing its audience. Would be interesting tp have seen its reception as a mainstream drama on BBC1 as originally intended.
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Post by peggs on Aug 7, 2017 23:03:39 GMT
That was rather good, for some reason (not remotely based on what had gone before clearly) I was completely surprised by old Flora's reaction to her grandson but how much better not making it some simple easy happy ending. Touching this. And James McArdle in episode 1 is just lovely, fancy singling him out and not commenting on his attractiveness!
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