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Broadcast on ITV1 in 2007, this fascinating documentary about the Grenadier Guards reveals the enormous amount of painstaking training and work that goes into a royal ceremony and the cruel reality of war as the Grenadiers go off to Afghanistan and Iraq to fight for their country. DVD extras include behind-the-scenes footage and a picture gallery.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
This DVD provides a fascinating look at the Guards today. With UK government cutbacks and active service abroad more evident than ever the Grenadiers along with the Guards in general are more stressed in their duties than ever before. The contrasts between London Ceremonial and live action in Afghanistan provides a very unique strain on time honored units like the Grenadier Guards.
We see also that modern social pressures have resulted in more integration of women and minorities into every aspect of these units. Women in the band show the strange reality that modern social pressures have placed on living traditions. As a purist myself I don't think it makes for a good mix, not because the girls don't have musical ability. Far from it. But when a society feels the need to fiddle with time honored traditions in order to make itself feel good that's when institutions can start to break apart. The Guards seem to be holding up, but the strain is from without as well as within. Women just don't look good in full Guards uniform and bearskins! They stand out by being smaller and different shape in the band! Petty perhaps, but these are traditions of hundreds of years that are being played around with here.
Over all this is a fascinating DVD which shows the inside world of the Guards as never before. Traditions live on and lets hope that current and future UK governments continue to see the value of these historic units. So many others have been eliminated.
The Guards are a living testimony to all that is great and unique about Great Britain. In these fast and changing times there still needs to be something that shows some stability.
These units provide a career and future for the wayward youth of today who lack a sense of direction more than ever. This DVD shows that the spirit of the regiment can still be conveyed to youth of today providing them a solid support system that they wouldn't find anywhere else. True there are hazards of being a modern soldier, and death in Afghanistan is a constant reminder of that, but such reality is what can give life meaning to aimless youth of today who see only a world of illusion and pop around them. Many might also find death at home with drugs and the like. So what is the difference? The Guards provide a daily reality and pride that they wouldn't find anywhere else.
A splendid and moving video which shows the many and varied aspects of daily life in the Guards today.
We see also that modern social pressures have resulted in more integration of women and minorities into every aspect of these units. Women in the band show the strange reality that modern social pressures have placed on living traditions. As a purist myself I don't think it makes for a good mix, not because the girls don't have musical ability. Far from it. But when a society feels the need to fiddle with time honored traditions in order to make itself feel good that's when institutions can start to break apart. The Guards seem to be holding up, but the strain is from without as well as within. Women just don't look good in full Guards uniform and bearskins! They stand out by being smaller and different shape in the band! Petty perhaps, but these are traditions of hundreds of years that are being played around with here.
Over all this is a fascinating DVD which shows the inside world of the Guards as never before. Traditions live on and lets hope that current and future UK governments continue to see the value of these historic units. So many others have been eliminated.
The Guards are a living testimony to all that is great and unique about Great Britain. In these fast and changing times there still needs to be something that shows some stability.
These units provide a career and future for the wayward youth of today who lack a sense of direction more than ever. This DVD shows that the spirit of the regiment can still be conveyed to youth of today providing them a solid support system that they wouldn't find anywhere else. True there are hazards of being a modern soldier, and death in Afghanistan is a constant reminder of that, but such reality is what can give life meaning to aimless youth of today who see only a world of illusion and pop around them. Many might also find death at home with drugs and the like. So what is the difference? The Guards provide a daily reality and pride that they wouldn't find anywhere else.
A splendid and moving video which shows the many and varied aspects of daily life in the Guards today.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
I bought the is DVD for my 5 year old son who went though a stage of being army obsessed. He absolutely loved it and has seen it at least 5 times. Interesting and informative for adults and children alike.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
The DVD, based on an earlier TV series, follows the progress of a young recruit to the Grenadier Guards from his initial posting to ceremonial duties, through to his being sent on active duty to Afghanistan. The DVD, shows the history and traditions of the Grenadiers as a Household regiment from a human and ceremonial persepctive, and at the same time depicts the reality of preparation for and assigment to active duty in a real situation. It is a balanced and objective overview of the day-to-day role of the Grenadier Guards in the 21st century.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great Series
A good insight into the grenadier guards, my son is joing them this year and it gave him an idea about the duties etc, there are some very funny moments and more serious ones as... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Muttly0206
More Depth Required
This is a good documentary, but it could have been better. They have tried to strike a balance between examining the Grenadiers in peace and war, and I found there was not enough... Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2010 by ChinaDoc
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