Anyone else notice that this takes place at dusk? It's light when they start but it's dark by the time the rings are lit. That was a masterstroke of timing and choreography and really added to the atmosphere.
@@mrfuriouser This section of the ceremony was named Pandemonium, which was essentially the capital of hell. In other words, evil and sinister was definitely the desired look for this play.
Pandemonium Drummer no 237 here - thanks for taking the time and trouble, I'm one of 40 who did all 4 ceremony's and this was truly a night to remember -we made friends for life and felt one with the world -at that feeling never die x
Thank you, I was one of The Pandemonium Drummers and luckily I had the privilege of performing in all 4 Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies. This is the first footage where you can really feel the rumble of the drums. I've literally just cried watching this, It has brought back such fond memories. I had no idea that the audience stood up during the poppy segment at the Tech Run. You'll be pleased to know The PD's are still going strong doing a lot for charity etc :-)
One of my favourite opening ceremonies this segment is one of my favourite parts of the entire ceremony it was awesome.My friend worked for the Australian media contingent in London and was there broadcasting on the night. How awesome to be in there wow cheers from Australia
Best part of the ceremony IMO and I'm glad we chose this. Too many nations gloss over their history and just present the rainbows and sunshine of their history. I'm glad we presented the grim reality of one of the greatest moments in our history. It makes the final scene of the rings coming together, light and unity out of dark and discourse, much more meaningful.
Since it appears a handful of performers from this segment are in the comments, I want to say thank you for an amazing show. I love going back to relive great Olympic opening ceremonies from time to time, and I honestly believe this is among the best performances the Olympics has ever produced. I still get chills. You should be incredibly proud. Much love from California.
This was my absolute favorite part of the Opening Ceremony in London! Not only is the Industrial Revolution portrayed historically accurate, but the music, visuals, and choreography are incredible! Way to go Danny Boyle and Evelyn Glennie!!!
"The British nation is unique in this respect. They are the only people who like to be told how bad things are, who like to be told the worst." - Winston Churchill And that's what makes this ceremony so great. The Industrial Revolution was a time where the green countryside was destroyed, children were injured and killed working, miners died trying to keep the coal coming above ground: yet we as British don't shy from that. We showed the world how much they owe Britain.
Yes, a ceremony that celebrated the long road to New World Order. Here is the Industrial Revolution, when "We" took the people off the land and enslaved them in our factories. Ain't it grand? Yes, applaud for your demise, you fools.
Hi Dave, I'm sitting here in tears. I was one of the P Drummers and your video bought it all back. You have capture the true essence of our performance. A thousand thanks for posting this...pure gold. Pandemonium drummer 630
sub333 if you watch one of the other behind the scenes videos there is a lady who (through the ear pieces) says something along the lines of ‘and stop for the poppies’
This is such a great version of this segment! I found the BBC coverage didn't quite put across how loud it was in there! I was one of the drummers. Such an amazing night. Gives me goose bumps watching it again and re-living the moment.
Totally agree the BBC version didn’t do the performance justice just goes to show millions of pounds of equipment but in the end it comes down to the look and sound of it
I absolutely love this. I cried when I watched it on TV and this perspective adds a really live feel. Can’t believe it’s almost 10 years ago. Thank you for uploading :-)
This makes me cry every time i watch it, an incredible piece of art and no doubt the single greatest moment of any olympic opening ceremony, A Staggering Visual and musical assault on your senses from everyone involved. Thanks for posting.
Hi James7300 I was one of the Olympic Pandemonium Drummers and yes this was a special preview Tech Run Performance that we did for family, friends, the military and other volunteers. You are right in that the timing eg. of the rings coming together and alighting is different to what we did on the night as we hadn't even seen that bit till then, but luckily it was dead perfect when it mattered :-)
Still amazing 8 years later! Also, love that they written "Save the surprise" in the screens to encourage people to not upload the videos anywhere and spoil it
It was indeed a masterpiece. Evelyn Glennie - so much respect! Thank you Evelyn and to the volunteers for helping to make 2012 so wonderful and very special 🇬🇧😎👍
I'm slowly working my way through every video of the amazing, moving, utterly compelling Pandemonium segment that I can find and your picture and sound quality is by far the best. Thanks so much for posting and you did a great job!
I didnt realise everyone stood for the poppies section. I was holding back the tears while performing but when i just watched that i cried so hard. thank you for uploading this. i was one of the pandemonium drummers and infact i can see me in this video. i hope you enjoyed watching the rehearsal. thank you for coming xx
You guys were absolutely phenomenal. Will never forget it and the hairs still rise on the back of my neck every time I watch and hear it again. Thank you all of you.
I've been searching for this since the Olympics & I just wanted to thank you for posting this. Even being from America watching this gave me chills and still does. Thank you!
This was about the point that I really started sending mental apologies in Danny Boyle's direction. I had been pretty worried about what we were going to get (it was the red double decker in Beijing that did it), should have known better and had more faith. Once again, my apologies Danny for ever doubting you
Saw some of this - especially the rings fusing - on the night when I managed to get some free time when not working. Wow. Thanks for this, brings back happy-sad memories. So long ago now. Danny Boyle - and London - made us all proud
hi there is pandemonium drummer no.700 here, thanks ever so much for recording this wonderful moment for us, i have seen your video few times, it gives me goosebumps every time i hear the track "And I Will Kiss", however, to watch us (the industrial revolution drummers, WMWs, Brunels, Suffragettes ... ) in action/pandemonium in the stadium ... its just pure joy, pride & emotional !!! this video appears on the drummers fb group & timelines all the time, thank you once again !!! ; )
Wonderful and stirring ceremony from all the performers, well done. I love the music from Underworld, I love the concept from Danny Boyle and the performances are so outstanding it never fails to bring a lump to my throat. Only time I was ever proud to be British was this celebration of the amazing sacrifices of the working classes. Beat that, France!
All these months later still get goosebumps watching and listening to this piece of music and footage of the opening ceremony, Britain at its very best!
Hi Slannmage The empty seats you are referring to are the press seats and VIP seats who were not allowed into the stadium during the Tech Runs for obvious reasons....hence why the TV screens through out the stadium have SAVE THE SURPRISE on them :-)
Thanks for posting. Greatest choreography of all time! There are other videos on you tube but sadly one of the best does play all. This video gives a better idea of what it was like as a spectator. Thanks much!
Hi GillFan26 - our auditions for the Olympics started in Nov 2011 and we haven't stopped drumming since. In fact, there are plans to welcome new members, as we have a few exciting gigs lined up for 2013! More news in a few weeks on our website.
From Shakespeare's green hills to the workhouses of Dickens and coalmines of D.H. Lawrence... Powerful, shows how far the UK (and the world, for that matter) has come--and the cost it took to get us here.
Ok from this view, this makes it a whole lot more emotional for me because I can see the whole thing and what everyone is doing. I change my mind I thought this was just ok but this really is one of the best opening ceremonies to date. I’m American by the way, so don’t hate me too much
Great sequence...really good to see it from an audience perspective...But I have noticed something strange on this clip!....in the BBC broadcast the five suspended rings all ignite mid-air in sync to a specific punctuation point in the music but on this video that doesnt seem to happen....did the BBC use some timing trickery to increase dramatic effect?....great post...many thanks...
themarcopirroarchive This is the dress rehearsal the day beforehand not the actually opening ceremony. That’s why the timing is different. They slowed down the movement of the rings for the opening ceremony.
Thanks for uploading this and for good video work - the Industrial Revolution segment was stunning and made me so proud. OK, so the rest was pants (other than the Queen/Bond sgement and the cauldron) but this was magnificent, and moving - and it's great to see here on your video how it viewed to people in the stadium.....
Loved how dark this section was..it tapped into something very profound for us as a nation. It's brutal and honest. It all went downhill for me at James Bond.
-14:00-- wait, so the official OBS footage was edited!? (Tbh I really do prefer it the way it was evidently actually done)- Just found out that it was a practice run. Still prefer this timing though
