1864 on BBC4 last night?

[Admiral Alder]

I missed episode 2, and from what I've read above I'm not sure that's a bad thing. However, I would say that both episodes 3 and 4 are very good, and when the script focuses on the actual plot rather than the future foreshadowing element its actually quite compelling.

[MartinR]

I don't mind a bit of wierdness, this is Scandi-drama after all, not some boring Hollywood film. The whole thing is quite dreamlike and compelling. I'm glad Von Moltke finally got to wear his uniform rather than just being some odd bloke in a lounge suit!

An interesting study of the perils of nationalism.

Cheers
Martin

[olicana]

I'm now hooked on this thing. It feels like a war story written by agent Mulder but, given the very dry way history can be presented, this makes a real change. It's off the wall and it's brilliant!

The only thing I'm worried about, is what breed of farm animal is going to get it next? 

A cow gets shafted in episode 2, and in episode 3 pigs get blown apart or bayoneted leaving a whole bunch of little orphan piglets to fend for themselves.

Where, where, where is this farm animal thing going?

[juergen c. olk]

I watched it two months ago,I am originally from Schleswig-Holstein,17 kms from Schleswig . I understand the Danish gamers complaints,but you never see anything on this topic,so I was still happy to see it.

[Admiral Alder]

I can completely see where the comments are coming from: as a historical source it's rubbish, and it lays on its overall class and anti militarism/nationalism narrative with a brush so thick you could paint a shed with it, however it makes for easy enough watching, and whilst the modern scenes can often break the pace of the drama, they help to demonstrate the director's sense that the war and the world of 19th century Denmark is alien to the contemporary audience...
What is that they say about the past being a foreign country?

[Atheling]

A very well crafted piece of drama. The BBC should take note!

OK, so as a historical source it's not the greatest but I hadn't realised that there had been two wars between Prussia and Denmark (I knew of the Second) so I did learn something along the way  .

Anyway, I've really enjoyed the drama thus far and look forward to the next episode (on iPlayer- fits my painting schedule better that way!).

Darrell.

[MartinR]

The instant thought of all wargamers of course is, 'how can I wargame this'. As my Prussians are all 6mm, then I was thinking of 6mm US Feds for the Danes. Using Neil Thomas rules you don't need vast armies of them, and Bruce Weigle has a whole bunch of neat 1864 scenarios in his '1866' rules.

I could add a few mini dioramas of slaughtered pigs and raped cows I am sure Irregular do those in their 'abused animals' range.

Cheers
martin

[Sir_Theo]

Overall I'm enjoying it.  I know nothing of this conflict so that aspect is fascinating.  And it does look like an interesting war from a gaming point of view.  Im a sucker for a snow table...

[Big Martin Back]

I've got a lot of catching up to do. I've got last week's recorded as I've been away and am now recording it tonight.
Something to do when I've retired.

[Argonor]

Can't say I was overly impressed with that flick.

[Emir of Askaristan]

Ok, so we know the mystic, stereotyping stuff is nonsense. I think we know enough to strip that out ourselves. It's a war if heard of but didn't know anything about, so this is a taster. It's inspired me to look further into things. That will give me a better overview of the actual events and a thought to how it can be gamed.

That's as much as we can ask from a TV programme or film. After all how many Wargamers have been inspired by Zulu.....?

Looking forward to seeing the rest, and reading some real history.