11 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

"Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated First World War archive feature film They Shall Not Grow Old is to receive its broadcast premiere exclusively on BBC Two on Sunday 11 November at 9.30pm, following its World Premiere at the London Film Festival in October. The film forms part of the BBC’s commemorative coverage around the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day.
They Shall Not Grow Old has been created exclusively with original footage from Imperial War Museums’ film archive and audio from BBC archives.
They Shall Not Grow Old uses the voices of the veterans combined with original archival footage to bring to life the reality of war on the front line for a whole new generation. Footage has been colourised, converted to 3D and transformed with modern production techniques to present never before seen detail.
Peter Jackson, Director and Producer of They Shall Not Grow Old, says: "I wanted to reach through the fog of time and pull these men into the modern world, so they can regain their humanity once more - rather than be seen only as Charlie Chaplin-type figures in the vintage archive film. By using our computing power to erase the technical limitations of 100 year-old cinema, we can see and hear the Great War as they experienced it.”
https://www.bbc.co.u...-rings-director

 

[A-Cell]

Thanks mab for posting this.

[Wiggy]

Ooh, saw a bit about this the other week. Looks incredible. Set to record. Thanks for the reminder!

[Cooperman]

I don't know about all of you, but although I always watch the Festival of Remembrance every year, this year's I found particularly moving.

It was well put together with a good mix of WW1, WW2 and other conflicts remembered.

The courage and bravery of so many is simply amazing. 

[Wiggy]

It was amazing. I'm a documentary buff anyway, but it made it seem so much more real and personal. Like nothing I've seen before.

[mab01uk]

It was amazing. I'm a documentary buff anyway, but it made it seem so much more real and personal. Like nothing I've seen before.

 

I agree, an amazing documentary about the First World War, the restored film made it seem like a recently made film.......something everyone should watch and listen to from those that experienced the terrible conditions of the trenches and battlefields.

[Ethel]

Striking how little we've changed really. Made me wonder how far back you could go to find squaddies being squaddies, just like today's. 

 

The first hand testimonies were the most powerful, I think they were recorded for the 50th anniversary. Jackson and the Beeb did a good job of adding impact to them.

[nicklouse]

as powerful as it was it did seem that there was a shortage of film as I kept seeing the same footage or pictures repeated many times.

[jamesmpi]

What struck me was seeing all those images in colour, especially on a sunny day when you see all the men “resting”, made it seem more jolly (if that’s the right word to use)

I’m not suggesting for one minute it was a happy and enjoyable time considering the thousands of lives wasted... but when you listen to people talking about it and reading about it, the image I had in my head was that it was a dark, depressing environment where it rained everyday and men had to be forced to the front line against their will to fight.

But on the contrary they couldn’t wait to get involved and do their part.

I suppose that makes it even more extraordinary

[Ethel]

It may have started out that way. I think the films are more of a testament to their character and loyalty to each other. After a week or so in the trenches they'd have been happy to take any opportunity for fun and distraction. They willingly went back in to the line mostly out of duty to their fellow Tommies doing the same.

 

You should also allow for some bias in what they wanted to record on film.

[Mini Manannán]

This has reminded me. Must watch.  Been on holiday on an internet-free valley in Wales

[DeadSquare]

All those lives of men from the Empire and Commonwealth..........................................................................and now germany is top dog in europe without firing a shot.