30 replies to this topic

[Pighills]

This is a new series starting on Sky Atlantic in September.  It documents 2000 years of British history.

I wondered how much of WWI it will cover and how accurate it's going to be - anyone had any involvement in it?  Can you shed any light?

[Rayessex]

Hi Kim,

Find that really strange, as I thought we were all supposed to be ashamed of our History!

Ray

P.S. Is that to Political! Sorry!

[Ken Santa Fe]

Do you know how many episodes and how long each is supposed to be? A survey like this will likely only devote the most basic glance at a great many items.

[Steven Broomfield]

I don't have Sky (Mrs B, not unreasonably, won't fork out silly money for the privilege of having me watch cricket round the clock), but why do I worry ever so slightly that this programme/series will be on something called "Sky Atlantic"? Surely that's for programmes from across the water? I would infer that this is going to be a pot-boiler for the Colonial market.

[Jim Clay]

Wot Mr B said, largely.  I wouldn't have Sky in the house, personally, and don't think I'm missing much.  (Hmm, should this be in the Rant thread?   )

[Pighills]

See, this is why I'm worried about it!  We've all (well, mostly) seen previous attempts and I don't really hold out much hope for it.

I would still like to know if anyone here's had any input into it though.

[Kate Wills]

What's Sky Atlantic?

A weather system?

[Pighills]

Sky Atlantic is a Sky broadcasting channel, usually showing tv series made in America, which is why I'm wondering about the 'facts' which will be given in this 'upcoming' series.

[Ice tiger]

Steven Broomfield, on 11 August 2012 - 06:12 PM, said:

.....won't fork out silly money for the privilege of having me watch cricket round the clock.....

Is this not cause for divorce under the mental cruelty clause?

Andy

[T8HANTS]

I suppose it could be a re-run of the excellent Michael Woods series, but if is American made I doubt if they will even get the geography correct let alone the history.

[jon_armstrong]

From Sky.com

"The British

2,000 years of British history will be told in epic scale, with a new landmark history series coming to Sky Atlantic this Autumn.

The British tells the history of Britain and Ireland from the Roman invasion to the birth of TV and the Coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953.  Spanning two thousand years in seven hours, the series will bring vividly to life through compelling drama and spectacular CGI the real and often surprising stories of the unsung heroes as well as the icons of history.

A line-up of notable and influential celebrities will give their views on what the history of Great Britain means to them. The list of celebrities contributing to the show includes: Russell Brand, Lily Cole, Tracey Emin, Helen Mirren, Caitlin Moran, Lord Puttnam, Ben Kingsley and Robert Winston.

'The British is Sky Atlantic’s first foray into high end factual and a natural evolution for channel as it continues to grow into a destination channel that has epic storytelling at its heart,' said Naomi Gidney Acting Director of the channel. 'I'm delighted that this distinctive and informative programme will help bring history to life for adults as well as children.'

To accompany the series, Sky is launching an ambitious educational initiative, targeting pupils from ages 7 – 14 with an educational plan tailored to the series.

As part of this campaign, Sky will produce free, flexible teaching and learning resources which will be specifically tailored towards each episode of the seven-part series.

The materials will cover subjects including the Roman invasion of Britain, The Domesday Book, The Caxton Printing Press, and The Great Fire of London amongst others.

All these materials will be available to download from the Sky Skills website free of charge to every school that registers. In addition, a DVD box set of the complete series will be available to the first 5,000 schools that complete the registration and feedback process."

[phil w]

jon_armstrong, on 12 August 2012 - 09:58 AM, said:

From Sky.com


A line-up of notable and influential celebrities will give their views on what the history of Great Britain means to them. The list of celebrities contributing to the show includes: Russell Brand, Lily Cole, Tracey Emin, Helen Mirren, Caitlin Moran, Lord Puttnam, Ben Kingsley and Robert Winston.

The names on that list says it all, definitely one to miss. (As I don't have Sky I'll miss it anyway.)

[Ken Santa Fe]

2000 yrs, 7 hrs.
Our topic, if we're lucky, will only have time for:
Silly hat wearing fellow brutally killed, glorious rearward advance (Brits shoot brilliantly), moment of silence for July 1, silly hat, mud, silly hat mud, victory, oh no a malevolant evil rises in the east let's talk about the 'real' war, bulbous nosed round headed fellow saves Europe, over sexed over paid over here.

[Chris_Baker]

I thought for a moment that I had stumbled into the Victor Meldrew Appreciation Society's website. What a curmudgeonly bunch. They won't get the geography right let alone the history ... won't watch it if she's on ... wouldn't have Sky if you forced me ...  Good grief.   You never know, it could be very good to see British history as it is viewed by others.

[Terry_Reeves]

I agree with Chris on this matter. In addition I would say, that over 2000 years,  WW1 is a mere flea bite.

TR

[Ken Santa Fe]

There is already a quite passable Simon Schama History of Britain. Why another survey? TV history is useful for passing time but not for real learning.

[Steven Broomfield]

And, to be fair, getting 2,000 years into 7 hours (does that include adverts?) with the contribution of some intellectual heavyweights (and Russell Brand) will at least prevent the kids getting bored.

[Paul Granger]

We might be more drawn to the BBC's up-coming (sorry, terrible Americanism) adaptation of Ford Madox Ford's 'Parade's End'. Perhaps i should read it - I've had the books long enough.

[squirrel]

FWIW and IMHO - how often do the Americans get their own history right let alone anybody else's?
Not that I am cynical you understand, but the film of the Charge of the Light brigade with Errol Flynn is a case in point.

[hesmond]

With all due respect the Flynn Charge of The Light Brigade was filmed and billed as entertainment not history ? and made in the 1930s ,as a slice of historical hokem its very very good .

[rose of picardy]

Wow !  I am sure you don't mean to sound as xenophobic as you do. I don't guess any of you have seen Ken Burns' documentary about the Civil War ( that would be the American Civil War).  That is a masterpiece about a pivotal point of our history and it was made here.  Perhaps, you can film a more accurate representation for us over there.   LOL.......

[hesmond]

Well said the Burns series was superb ,also many of his other documentry programes have been excellent ,and over the years bothe BBC and ITV churned out some real stinkers when it comes to historical documentrys ,just read some of the comments on this site ,on the Sky front for many years i had the full package ,but it did drop in quality over the years ,but the history Channel ect had many many stunning documentrys ,what would make me laugh was a mate who is a GWF member would condem Sky ect and trash it non stop ... until he stayed with us and was glued non stop to the History Channel !

[Bernard_Lewis]

Ken Burns on the American Civil War is the greatest series I have seen; better than the World at War, very good though that is. I have copies of both.

Bernard

[RobL]

Sounds quite good actually. Sky Atlantic is one of the few decent channels worth watching

[BillyH]

rose of picardy, on 14 August 2012 - 07:36 PM, said:

Wow !  I am sure you don't mean to sound as xenophobic as you do. I don't guess any of you have seen Ken Burns' documentary about the Civil War ( that would be the American Civil War).  That is a masterpiece about a pivotal point of our history and it was made here.  Perhaps, you can film a more accurate representation for us over there.   LOL.......

Well said Rose,
It's always a good idea to see or hear something before criticising surely.
Too many Mary Whitehouses on here?

BillyH.