Bernard Cornwell's 'The Last Kingdom' episode 1 review

[Hu Rhu]

In the words of the great man himself, Sitting Bull, "That is all I have to say".

I thought it was Forest Gump who said "And that's all I want to say on that subject". 

As for the TV Show - life is like a box of chocolates.  You don't know what you are going to get till you open it.

[Cubs]

And by the time I get to it, there's only praline left.

[wulfgar22]

And by the time I get to it, there's only praline left.

Mmmmm...I like Praline. Swap you for these Strawberry and Orange Cremes.

[Cubs]

Mmmmm...I like Praline. Swap you for these Strawberry and Orange Cremes.

Vile ... no trade.

Trying to claw things back somewhat, has anyone seen an extended clip or know in what context the hated rectangular shields appeared? If they were just peasant rabble, I don't see anything wrong with them having some hastily-constructed board shields.

[monkeylite]

Vile ... no trade.

Trying to claw things back somewhat, has anyone seen an extended clip or know in what context the hated rectangular shields appeared? If they were just peasant rabble, I don't see anything wrong with them having some hastily-constructed board shields.

The Lord Uthred of Bebbanburg (Matthew MacFadyen) has got one, so not really a rabble.

I guess they just wanted us to be able to tell the Saxons and the Danes apart.

[Mr.J]

It would seem the squares are going to distinguish the Vikings from the Saxons.
Having watched a different trailer I am slightly less offended, I'm certainly going to go into this with an open mind and hope for the best.

[rumacara]

It's just like Sharpe, events happen around historical fact. Come on did anybody really think Sharpe shot the Prince of Orange at Waterloo. 

Didnt he?

I read the books and i loved it appart from the historical mistakes and changes.
I will watch the series with interest even if it serves to take some crazy ideas for wargames.
I did the same with Vikings, Spartacus, GOT, etc...

[Dr. The Viking]

Well. Read the books before this show destroys them forever.

The first few are good.

[Malamute]

As for the TV Show - life is like a box of chocolates.  You don't know what you are going to get till you open it.

Yep, I'm going to reserve judgement until I have actually watched it. 

[wulfgar22]

Having watched a different trailer I am slightly less offended, I'm certainly going to go into this with an open mind and hope for the best.

The other trailer posted a bit further up is certainly better than the OP one.

[Cubs]

The Lord Uthred of Bebbanburg (Matthew MacFadyen) has got one, so not really a rabble.

Eek.

[Gibby]

I mildly prefer square shields to the stupid "team colour" uniforms/helmet shapes of the Saxon kingdoms in the TV series Vikings. Frankly, shieldwall fights should make it easy to tell which side is which, but with the chaotic action packed swirling melees of these tv shows, I can see why some might want team markers, so to speak.

[Atheling]

Frankly, shieldwall fights should make it easy to tell which side is which

I reckon that's what the directors be it art directors and/or the actual designers were thinking unfortunately

I have given up on ever seeing anything near a 'true' historical drama. I'm not saying that they cannot be good, but it seems that the less one knows about the actual history the less one will be disappointed.

Darrell.

[tyrionhalfman]

I'm going to watch this but having read the books I'll just try to see it as a separate entity and not compare them, as I've ruined many good films by analysing them too closely in relation to the book and my imagination. I'll also try to ignore all the artistic licencing that ignores historic evidence and try to enjoy the drama etc. as I've ruined many good programmes or films by niggles - such as the Eagle (Picts that look more like the American woodland Indians) and Vikings - both the programme and the Kirk Douglas film for the way they portray Saxons

[Bullshott]

Really looking forard to this. I just finished book 4 todat and will buy the next as soon as I see it on a shelf. This is what has been inspiring my to make my Saga terrain