The final scene is quite chilling, isn't it? If you didn't already appreciate the insanity and inhumanity up to this point, you certainly do now. R.I.P BBC Drama.
This is so good, drama that relies on the quality of the script, the skill of the actors and the understanding of the direction to make the point. Nothing superficial here. Even all the home front scenes that others are complaining about set the relationships of people involved as of much more importance than the folly of the conflict.
Well when you consider that the very first powered flight took place just 12 years earlier it was amazing that aviation progressed as far as it did in 1915. Shortly after the Wrights made their first flight they would sue anyone who tried to develop aviation farther.
Kevin Morgan : I never knew that about the Wright brothers. I suppose that’s why the US fell behind Europe in aviation, and why the Americans ended up flying French aircraft throughout the war.
The first series was screened on BBC1 from 2/1/1977 to 20/3/1977 (Sundays). The second series was shown on BBC1 on Thursdays from 5/1/1978 to 30/3/1978.
Can you imagine the special effects, blood and guts it would take to do the last scene these days: instead we have 2 superb actors on a stage set, and brilliant dialogue: master class in how to get it right.
I can imagine what a sours ear the BBC would make of that scene today , either they would overload it with sentimental music or use expensive thrilling flashbacks also the acting would be condescending to the viewers intelligence. Even though the BBC was using tax payers money in a more frugal way back in 76 they still had talented directors , actors and set designers who could create effective drama without having to resort to gimmicks.
I love the way this Lt. shaves with a straight razor, so casually and without thinking. I use one and it requires concentration and attention to detail unless you enjoy turning your flesh into carrot peals.😊
the be2 was an excellent recce plane for 1914, just like he aviatik, only it wasnt armed, and so often was victim of the fokkers by 1915 when the e3 entered in service, but when armed with a machine gun for the observer and well escorted both,by fighters, it was a good recce machine also in 1916 even and later, indeed was used until late war
The British were making modern looking , aerodynamic monoplanes , from the 1840's onwards. The engine technology was , alas steam , with it's unsuitable power to weight ratio. The early 1890's saw the advent of petrol engines and flight. Also see , " Gustav Whitehead - first in flight " , one of many , who flew documented , controlled long distance , take off and land , flights , well before Wright Bro's.
elizabeth sheffield So it takes him from Sergeant (Chief Technician) RAF Rank to 2nd Lieutenant then Squadron Leader 17 years later ,I think he might have been too old then Chaps !
At 4:40 there appears to be the sound of machine gun fire. However, I don’t believe that sub machine guns were available at that point in time, being in their infancy in 1915. The German observer appears to be using a standard rifle.
It seems very weird that the British Government allowed such junk airplanes to be put into service. I would think that British mechanical and technology expertise could have come up with something better.
The thing was, the BE2 wasn't a horrible plane for reconnaissance, it was incredibly stable and easy to fly, making it an ideal camera platform, but these same advantages meanwhile made it easy meat for anything with a forward firing gun to take out.
Funny thing was that Anthony Fokker was developing the interrupter gear for a forward firing machine gun as early as 1912. He approached the infant R.F.C about a grant to develop it but apparently it was 'too expensive', so he went to the German air service instead. Typical British Army- never very interested in tech; just look at the snatch Land-rovers they sent to Basra and Afghan. Some things never change.
