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

[Grumdril]

Interesting thread this.

I came to the TV series having read book 7 (The Pagan Lord) and hopefully having a bit more understanding of the period than the average viewer, but nothing like the knowledge of some people in this thread. We then got diverted onto The Bridge and so I've only just got around to episode 5, but my take on it so far -

• Uhtred's costume is clearly a costume rather than clothing and armour, it's rather irritating that they chose to do that, but other than that I'm ignorant of or can ignore the other historical inaccuracies.
• I rather liked the way they show some collection of huts, then add the caption "Oxford" (or wherever). I found this does make you think about the history of places in a way that seems to make you think of the passing of time (however accurate or otherwise those huts might be).
• Equally I liked the way that Winchester isn't just a collection of huts but is shown as having established (presumably Roman?) buildings - again I'm not sure how accurate these are but it's good to see more than just huts and forts and so think about what came before the Saxons.
• On the story rather than dramatisation side of things I like Uhtred being a flawed character. Not flawed in the sense of "look how deep and interesting I am" but flawed as in limited and self-destructive - it's good that the series has a protaganist rather than a hero.

So I'm giving it a bit more credit than some - it's entertainment rather than documentary, but like a good pseudo-historical novel (here I'm thinking of Cornwell's books, or Guy Gavriel Kay's fantasy-inspired-by-history stuff) it does make you think a bit and hopefully want to find out more.

Speaking of which, would anyone be able to recommend any good "everyday" histories of the period, by which I mean no so much what happened when, but for example settlement patterns, how people lived, etc. (but also ideally covering arms and armour)?

[Mason]

Damn you, Paolo, with your relentless good humour and positivity - you are ruining Christmas     

Sorry, Mr Scrooge, Sir.
I didn't mean it, honest!
 

[rumacara]

Grumdrill i can recomend the following books as a good sorce of information although they are more technical:

Anglo-Saxon weapons & warfare - Richard Underwood
The viking art of war - Paddy Griffith

I´m sure that any English LAF fellow can recomend better books but i found these two good Reading.

[smirnoff]

According to this there is a 2nd series
http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/bbc2-returns-to-the-last-kingdom/5098051.article

[Atheling]

According to this there is a 2nd series
http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/bbc2-returns-to-the-last-kingdom/5098051.article

Featuring the The Welsh with their totally authentic shields with a hole in the middle.... a real "cunning plan" if there ever was one 

Sorry, couldn't help myself!

Darrell.

[thebinmann]

I must admit I was disappointed with it and was almost disappointed I might have to watch again... hoping it gets better....

[Atheling]

Go here and compare......

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=85591.0

OK, I admit that the BBC only had £10,000,000 to execute the Last Kingdom, but, with a little care over the history they might just have produced something worth while.

Darrell.

[westwaller]

It looks like ITVs upcoming Beowulf is going to be worse, by the looks of the trailer...!

[Atheling]

It looks like ITVs upcoming Beowulf is going to be worse, by the looks of the trailer...!

Well, at least our TV licence fee didn't pay for it...... not that this is much consolation..... 

Darrell.

[Bullshott]

EDIT: Despite the obvious inaccuracies in clothing, armour and shields, I liked the series as a good semi-historical romp. Beocca and Arthur Alfred were the best portrayals for me, whilst Brida was the most annoying. However, my wife eas annoyed because they hade written Steppa Snotta (her favourite character) out of the series.

Major plus point - this has energised me to making more dark ages terrain

[THE CID]

Beowulf looks atrocious by the look of the trailers.

[WillieB]

Despite the obvious inaccuracies in clothing, armour and shields, I liked the series as a good semi-historical romp. Beocca and Arthur were the best portrayals for me, whilst Brida was the most annoying. However, my wife eas annoyed because they hade written Steppa Snotta (her favourite character) out of the series.

Major plus point - this has energised me to making more dark ages terrain

Absolutely agree on Beocca! Splendid actor! By Arthur you probably mean Alfred? Negative comments notwithstanding I really DO hope BBC will eventually do the Winter King series too!
Indeed too bad about Steapa If they write Finan (my favourite character) out of the sequels I'd be quite annoyed too.

[Atheling]

Just seen a trailer for the BBC's adaptation of War and Peace.

Looks spot on to me which leaves me in no doubt that they would have made the effort with The Last Kingdom.

Darrell.

[DCallan]

Looking forward to season 2.

[Commander Carnage]

It had plenty of issues but I enjoyed it. I'm hoping Steppa and Finan are added to season 2.