Birdsong

[gettinblurry]

Did I skip the boring bits in the book or is this not a good adaptation?

[LoftyLottie]

He has 'dead' expressionless eyes which make him appear spooky.

[woofgang]

I have to keep muting the trailer as that whistling bomb noise upsets my scaredy dog...I don't see any real need for it...I wonder if they thought before they put it in.

[horseshoes]

If they awarded Oscars for "Best Love Sick Gaze" then the lead actor would win it hands down! I really like the actor Joseph Mawle who plays Jack Firebrace (he always reminds me of David Thewlis). I think I looked forward to it too much, because I really enjoyed the book, and now I feel a bit let down. Shame.

[Bbbananas]

I liked it - but so far, have to say that I preferred the book which is one of my Top 10 ever.

I say though chaps - there were a few scenes there that fair made my stomach go all tingly...... Very cunning..... and lingering..... ;-)

[craft1948]

The guy who carried him at the end was on Foyle the night before............as a soldier returning from the 2nd war.

[Bbbananas]

I've seen that actor in quite a few things craft - I can't for the life of me think what in, or what his name is. I should IMDB it, but can't be bothered today.

[Barmaid]

It is no comparison with the book, which I love and find unputdownable. The TV adaption was dire. Although all that flicking backwards and forwards does get lost a bit on the screen. The "sex scene" was nowhere as sensuous as it was written. I found it a bit smutty.

I will watch the next bit though, if only to see if it improves.

[Bbbananas]

I agree - the book was fantastic, it made such an impression on me when I read it, 16 or so years ago.

But I will definitely watch the 2nd episode. Just to see.

[Quizmonkey]

Crikey? Did all you moaners see the same masterly piece of TV I did?! Stunningly filmed; beautifully structured; emotionally charged; and with two leads with looks as charismatic as their performances. Never compare a book with a film - they're two completely different animals. And as for 'slow' if you're looking for 'fast', stick to US cop shows!

[ludwig]

I'm glad you said that QM, I thought I was going mad for a bit.

[Zhukov]

copy that,Quizmonkey..and ludwig..It was beautifully done!

[Zhukov]

what do you want redhelen?...lots of camera angles,flitting around and snappy wisecrack banter?

[nannybooby]

ha ha Horseshoes ,in our family we awarded Best Love Sick Gaze to kevin Costner in Robin Hood -its like a cow in labour! Oh know that look so well , even more glad I have not watched Biirdsong now.

[Zhukov]

Its a "slow burn"..much like the idyllic life in pre-war Amiens,but with the ominous shouts of the Strikers,and tales of widespread poverty..the slow lurch towards World War....the tedium of trench warfare.

I think you will get all the Battle action you seek,next week.

[ludwig]

// No, i expected more first world war action //

I see where you've gone wrong Helen. You've chosen to watch something that wasn't exclusively a war film.
It's like watching Saving Private Ryan and then saying it's dire because there weren't enough love scenes in it.

[islasmum]

Did Sebastion Faulkes write the adaption for tv?

[Stargazer]

I remember hearing William Hague name it as his favourite book a few years ago when a list of 100 favourite books was compiled by some publication or other. I recently bought the book from a charity shop but have not started it yet. One thing that does amaze me though is that aged 20, Stephen's first sexual encounter with Isabelle (as depicted on tv) was so incredibly sophisticated and even these days, let alone in 1910, it is obvious that a shy 20 year old would have been a fumbling amateur, and probably still a virgin when he went to France.