Small Island BBC1 9pm

I didn't think I was going to enjoy this two parter but really did. Anything that can get across to modern liberal audiences just how awful and racist this country was (and sadly still is to an extent) is good. The kind of attitudes, language and comments made in this drama to and about black people were common in places I grew up in right up to the 1970s, and we're a gnat's tadger away from going back to them in some places.

Unfortunately, I suspect those who could do with seeing this will have been out at the local rough-arsed pub mouthing off about immigrants to their knuckle dragging mates.
 
Glad I stuck with this! It is a little slow but what really nearly ruined it was the narrator - much as I love HQ and his velvet voice - it's too heavy handed and doesn't add much to the story imo. It's what put me off at first but the characters and story line is gripping. MUST read the book now...
 
Found it VERY slow to start with, but really improved IMO and I was gripped by the end, was disappointed when it ended. REALLY looking forward to next weeks episode. Some great acting. :)
 
Oh dear - 10 mins in and I'm not enthralled. As my OH said "it seems a bit preachy"... MUST give it a chance but for those of you not watching - you're not missing very much!!!! :(
 
When Queenie broke down on giving up her baby, and then at the end when the grown up Micheal looks through the photo album and says that's my Mum, just set me off!!

Going soft in old age!
 
I've been looking forward to this for ages, having first read that it was due to be aired in October. It was much better than I thought it would be, as the book is told by each of the four main characters (Queenie, Gilbert, Hortense and Bernard) in turn, I wasn't sure how a dramatisation would work out. I assumed the narrator was to get over that, but I didn't think the narration was necessary.
 
Well, I'm a chap, we don't tear up at such things.
I've been known to get something in my eye though, plus it's winter, you need to blow your nose now and then too.
 
Yup just like Nazi Germany, Black people in a separate queue and sitting at the back of Cinema's :rolleyes:

Hmmm 5 main characters, one of them a white English male, yup he represents all working class white males.
Oh he's not working class either, works as a Bank clerk, that would be considered a middle class occupation.
Arthur didn't seem to be racist and Micheal's two fellow RAF officers didn't seem to be racist or sexually repressed, they spent the evening out with young ladies.

Micheal's father, Mr Roberts didn't seem a very nice character, throwing Hortense out on her ear, like that.
Hortense so far isn't a particularly sympathetic character either.

I wouldn't watch the second part if I were you, you won't like it because all the white people aren't wonderful.

Back to the Res.
Could have done without the narration to be honest.
Big heaRAB up for next week gave too much away too.
 
Mmmm I'm agreeing so far - I loved the book, but this adaptation so far hasn't quite captured the essence of the source material. Queenie is also a bit more delicate looking than I imagined. On the plus side, I'm watching in HD and it is visually stunning.
 
A decent adaptation of the book, was well done except for the narration.

Now if someone could make a film or drama of another great book 'The Pirate's Daughter'...
 
And me!!:cry: Just watched it tonight and I fully expected Hortense to find a pic of Michael. I found all the going backwarRAB and forwarRAB a bit distracting and I'm still not sure what happened to Michael. :rolleyes: I did enjoy it though.

I loved the scene where Hortense finally allowed her hubby to share her bed. :)
 
Slowish start and then gathered pace!:) I bought the book ages ago & lent it to a friend before I had chance to read it. :rolleyes: So I am well pleased this is on!

Loved the wedding night bedroom scene:D:D

Looking forward to next Sunday now.
 
Me too - because nowhere in the bits after Michael left, were there any signs that she was pregnant. And no sign of a child in the part where her mother visited, which was about five years later.

And what did the narrator mean by "not once, but twice".

I did enjoy it but really can't be bothered to watch it again to try and work it out.
 
loved this second episode...so much better than the first..i just wish that the two women found out they shared the love of the same man.
 
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