Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A forgotten "must see" classic, 22 Mar 2007
A truly gripping series that you just can't imagine being made in the fast-paced, channel-hopping television world of today. For people - such as myself - who did not see it when originally brodcast but have clear memories of the (truly awful) spoof 'Allo 'Allo, it takes a little time to judge and appreciate secret Army in its own right.
The pacing is sometimes a little slow - especially in the early episodes, but by halfway through series one you will be watching "just one more episode" into the wee small hours.
The charcterisation is simply superb - with the key Nazis portrayed as rounded three dimensional characters rather than just stereotypical and predictable baddies. The ongoing tensions and differences of approach between the Luftwaffe and the Gestapo constitute a quite brilliant sub-plot.
Also, the key figures running the escape line are not the purist of heroes. Not only do they all have personality flaws, but will pursue morally questionable methods in pursuit of their goal.
My only criticism would be that the British airmen are portrayed as being too hapless and boyish - but as their role in the plot is faciltative rather than central, this is a minor negative.
Most satisfying of all are the genuinely unpredictable twists and turns in the plot. Informed guesses by the viewer as to "what happens next?" are often wide of the mark. This contributes enormously to the tension of each installment - especially as each episode tends to end on a downbeat note. You will find yourself holding yuor breath until the final credits roll.
If you have even a cursory interest in the Second World War and/or are a enjoy movies such as the Great Escape, then this is an absolute "must buy". 40+ hours of some of the best drama ever produced by the BBC and probablyt he best £100 I have ever spent on DVDs. Simply glorious.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic, 28 Aug 2007
Let's get the difficult bit out of the way first. It's quite expensive. There are extras, including some very interesting interviews with some of the cast. It's a very attractive boxed set and the viewing notes have some fascinating insights.
But would I enjoy it if I hadn't been engrossed in watching it the first time around?
Yes, I think I would.
The scripts are excellent with some very compelling running stories, the production values are high for the time, the acting good.
The three series are actually very different and I think it is worth seeing all three of them.
Series 1 introduces Lifeline, a line founded in Belgium by "Yvette" to get RAF fliers back to the UK so they could continue to fight in the war. Yvette and her helpers take huge risks to do this. They use the cover of the Candide, a restaurant, as they do their work. This series has more interaction with the fliers whose existence is crucial to the plot but who are not really part of the story. They come. They go. I liked the human stories.
Series 2 shows a change in the Candide and more involvement with the occupiers.
As someone else has said, this drama spent as much time on the lives of the occupiers as the occupied. It maybe says something that I can remember vividly what happened to Major Brandt but I had not remembered what happened to Monique. There are still some very thrilling stories and mysteries to be solved.
Series 3 - a new direction again, with a natural end with the end of the war, the break down that followed, Special Operations, communists, it's all there still with human stories.
The moral ambiguities of what the characters do under stress are shown.
I found the end very moving but a bit rushed. However, I think it would have been a mistake to try to make another series. It stands up very well. Yes, there are some clunky moments but the sheer force of the narrative drives it through. Also, at this time, there were loads of serial dramas being made and no intention that they would be kept and re-watched. Still, a lot of effort was clearly put into making this as good as it could be and the actors' interviews make it clear that the cast and crew cared about it very much.
Do I think it's the best tv drama ever? No, but on the other hand it has to have been pretty special for me to remember watching it even after all these years and to have really enjoyed watching it again and to have been impressed by it. It is special and I won't be parting with the dvds.
It's not just nostalgia, it is very good television of the kind that may not be made that much now. If anyone were to think about telling this story now, it would probably be a four-part miniseries, no less good for that but different. This programme has time to develop its story but all the same it is not leisurely - you are in the thick of the plot very soon.
If you can manage to, watch it in single episodes, the way it was originally shown. It will be very hard because you will absolutely want to know what happens next.
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A real gem of a series, 19 April 2006
I was in my teens when this first came out, and I remembered from watching a few episodes that it ws quite good. Now having just finished watching all three series between Christmas and now (April) I have to say that I haven't seen a better drama series since. This is compelling drama, the development of the characters from series to series is just sublime. Coupled with intelligent plots and some really stand out performances from the likes of Bernard Hepton and Clifford Rose, this has really stood the test of time.
I must admit to a tinge of sadness when the credits rolled on the last episode, though I will certainly watch it again it just won't be the same second time round.
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