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This BBC documentary provides a fresh perspective on the Somme. By comparing the assault on Thiepval by a company of the 2nd Salford Pals on July 1st 1916 with an attack on the same objective by men of the 12th Middlesex in September 1916, it reveals how tactics changed. The dramatisation of real soldiers' experiences provides a personal view of the fighting as never before.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As you watch this impeccably researched 59min DVD, commisioned to mark the 90'th anniversary of the battle, and listen to the actual words of just a few of the men who fought and died in it; it puts the problems we face today into genuine perpective.
The programme centres around a few volunteers of the 2'nd Salford Pals Battalion/16'th Lancashire Fusiliers; as they attacked and were mown down, by their Westphalian opposite numbers in the 180'th Inf Regt, holding the French chateau of Thiepval on 1'st July 1916. It's hard to believe now, but 19,240 British soldiers were killed, with 37,000 wounded; on the first day of a battle which lasted six months!
This programme differs from many others however, in that it documents the entire Somme 'campaign' which continued on until December 1916. It illustrates how the British Army reacted to those losses; permitting use of initiative by junior officers, introducing combined attacks, creeping artillery barrages, first deployment of tanks, and use of aircraft for observation.
Using these radical new tactics, the British Army and their French allies eventually 'won' the battle of the Somme. German pressure on Verdun was reduced as they were forced to replace 500,000 casualties lost on the Somme; which enabled France to hold at Verdun. Total British casualties were 432,000, France lost 'only' 200,000, plus another 543,000 at Verdun!
This programme attempts to justify those losses by explaining how the Generals 'learned' lessons; and by applying those lessons, eventually emerged victorious from World War One. But it is only when we realize these losses were from just one battle amidst many; and that all were highly selective in nature; being fit young men aged 18-35 years; that the true enormity of World War One is revealed.
Europe slaughtered her best and finest sons, literally by the millions, during those terrible years; with social, economic and genetic effects that have never really been put right. I shall conclude this review with the words of Kaiser Wilhelm who, as he signed the declaration of war in 1914 said; "Gentlemen, you will have reason to regret this.". Never were truer words spoken than those.The Somme - From Defeat to Victory [DVD] [2006]
The programme centres around a few volunteers of the 2'nd Salford Pals Battalion/16'th Lancashire Fusiliers; as they attacked and were mown down, by their Westphalian opposite numbers in the 180'th Inf Regt, holding the French chateau of Thiepval on 1'st July 1916. It's hard to believe now, but 19,240 British soldiers were killed, with 37,000 wounded; on the first day of a battle which lasted six months!
This programme differs from many others however, in that it documents the entire Somme 'campaign' which continued on until December 1916. It illustrates how the British Army reacted to those losses; permitting use of initiative by junior officers, introducing combined attacks, creeping artillery barrages, first deployment of tanks, and use of aircraft for observation.
Using these radical new tactics, the British Army and their French allies eventually 'won' the battle of the Somme. German pressure on Verdun was reduced as they were forced to replace 500,000 casualties lost on the Somme; which enabled France to hold at Verdun. Total British casualties were 432,000, France lost 'only' 200,000, plus another 543,000 at Verdun!
This programme attempts to justify those losses by explaining how the Generals 'learned' lessons; and by applying those lessons, eventually emerged victorious from World War One. But it is only when we realize these losses were from just one battle amidst many; and that all were highly selective in nature; being fit young men aged 18-35 years; that the true enormity of World War One is revealed.
Europe slaughtered her best and finest sons, literally by the millions, during those terrible years; with social, economic and genetic effects that have never really been put right. I shall conclude this review with the words of Kaiser Wilhelm who, as he signed the declaration of war in 1914 said; "Gentlemen, you will have reason to regret this.". Never were truer words spoken than those.The Somme - From Defeat to Victory [DVD] [2006]
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I saw this programme when it was first broadcast on BBC and my immediate reaction was that it was the best produced documentary on The Somme that I have seen. It is a balanced and impartial account that reveals the limitations of the plan and tactics for the initial phase of the battle. However, it goes on to show how the Army adapted to the need for changes to those tactics and gives due recognition to the bravery and initiative of the fighting troops at regimental level. I have used the DVD as a scene setter for a low level battlefied tour and it brings home the reality of trench warfare most vividly.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a well made and very well researched film. First rate photography and acting. Both sides of the Somme story are told and this makes the viewer think deeply about the impact of not only this battle but the war has a whole.
The scenery and make up are excellent and what one would expect from the BBC production team. Uniforms are well researched and contain correct rank and divisional markings.
This is a great educational tool and I highly recommend it. If they ask of us this is what you should say, we gave our tomorrow for your today. Watch, learn, think and remember. Richard Longstaff.
The scenery and make up are excellent and what one would expect from the BBC production team. Uniforms are well researched and contain correct rank and divisional markings.
This is a great educational tool and I highly recommend it. If they ask of us this is what you should say, we gave our tomorrow for your today. Watch, learn, think and remember. Richard Longstaff.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Powerful, informative and beautifully made
I've long had a minor interest in military history and recently decided to do some more reading up on the First World War. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Paul Stevens
The Somme DVD
The first half of the dvd is the familiar story of the first day.
There is though more context than most , that Verdun was raging , the factors causing a disastrous first... Read more
There is though more context than most , that Verdun was raging , the factors causing a disastrous first... Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2010 by S. Alford
Visual History of the Somme
This excellent book gives a rare picture of events leading up to the Somme disaster. Haig and other officers responsible for the strategy were obliged to follow the dictates of... Read more
Published on 11 Sep 2006 by Fiona Baile
Great documentary film
This has to be the best BBC adaptation on the World War one, in a very long time.
Not too long and its got all the important factual history you need in it. Read more
Not too long and its got all the important factual history you need in it. Read more
Published on 7 July 2006 by Loopy_lou1
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