 |
| BBC ONE Unplaced Week 45 |
|
 |
1918-2008 – NINETY YEARS OF REMEMBRANCE
WW1 – My Family At War Ep 1/4
Monday 3 November
10.35-11.15pm BBC ONE
www.bbc.co.uk/remembrance
|
|
 |
Dan Snow retraces the
footsteps of his great
grandfather, Sir Thomas
D'Oyly Snow More than one million British people lost their lives during the First World War; My Family At War examines just eight stories.
In the first episode, Dan Snow and Natalie Cassidy take two very different journeys to discover what role their families played in the Great War.
Dan Snow retraces the footsteps of his great grandfather, Sir Thomas D'Oyly Snow, who was a General during the First World War. It is an uncomfortable journey for Dan, who is fully aware of how many died due to the mistakes and poor decision-making of the Generals.
The old adage reminds us how the First World War was fought by lions but led by donkeys. Dan goes in search of whether his great grandpa's poor leadership could have contributed to the demise of so many.
Dan admits: "It was very moving making it. And I was on the verge of tears standing in the graveyards of Northern France – thinking about what happened and the mistakes he made. He was a really old man trying to do the right thing but making these huge mistakes."
Natalie Cassidy meanwhile, makes her way to East London to find out what the women in her family were doing on the Home Front, while the men went off to fight. It's an enlightening time for Natalie, who discovers her great grandmother's house was bombed during the First World War.
"I feel My Family At War has connected me to my own history says Natalie. I've now got personal memories. It is like I have been on a journey. It is wonderful understanding your family and their experiences. Knowing where you have come from is very important."
This programme is part of 1918-2008 – Ninety Years Of Remembrance, a special season of programmes on the BBC marking the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
FW
|
1918-2008 – NINETY YEARS OF REMEMBRANCE
WW1 – My Family At War Ep 2/4
Tuesday 4 November
10.35-11.15pm BBC ONE
www.bbc.co.uk/remembrance
|
|
|
Phil Tufnell takes a flight in a
First World War plane Matthew Kelly and Phil Tufnell retrace their relatives' steps to find out more about their First World War, in the second episode of the series.
Matthew is on a quest to find his great uncle Albert, who he knows died as a Prisoner of War. It is an intensely emotional journey for Matthew.
Albert was just 20 when he volunteered and the only boy in a family of seven children. Matthew retraces two years of war, learning how Albert bravely fought in five major battles. He is shown the exact field where Albert was wounded and how, despite suffering from shell-shock, Albert returned to fight at the Somme.
Matthew also discovers the precise location where Albert was captured before travelling into Germany and to the Prisoner of War camp where he died. Some 91 years later, he finds Albert's grave.
Meanwhile, Phil Tufnell knows nothing about his relatives' war but is eager to find out more. He soon learns what life was like for his grandfather, a mechanic called William who, together with his squadron, fought in First World War planes on the Western Front. Phil visits a workshop where a First World War Sopwith Camel plane – "the spitfire of its day" – is being built from original blueprints.
These early planes were dangerous to fly. The life expectancy of a pilot at the front in 1917 was counted in days. Phil learns that 16,000 airman died in the war – 8,000 of those while training in Britain. Phil finds a growing respect for the men of the Flying Corps and, although he's a nervous flyer, he's taken on a flight in a First World War plane.
This programme is part of 1918-2008 – Ninety Years Of Remembrance, a special season of programmes on the BBC marking the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
FW
|
1918-2008 –
NINETY YEARS OF REMEMBRANCE
WW1 – My Family At War Ep 3/4
Wednesday 5 November
10.45-11.25pm BBC ONE
www.bbc.co.uk/remembrance
|
|
|
Eamonn Holmes and Kate Silverton retrace their relatives' steps and find out how they were both casualties of war, as the series continues.
Eamonn's grandfather, Jack Fitzsimmons, died before Eamonn was born, but his photo had always adorned their mantelpiece. Through filming My Family At War, Eamonn finds out why, as a Catholic nationalist, his grandfather volunteered to fight in the British Army. Eamonn follows Jack's footsteps to Belgium and France to find out exactly where he fought.
He says: "It was very moving, particularly at the point in Belgium where my grandfather received his terrible wounds. Today the area is a lovely canal, criss-crossed with bridges and families cycling. It was a lovely sunny day when I was there, but I wanted to stop people and say: 'Don't you know what happened here?'"
Meanwhile, Kate Silverton learns all about her great grandfather, George Silverton, who, at the age of 37, and as the father of nine children, volunteered to fight. Kate, being of a similar age, feels drawn to his brave story and is deeply moved, yet full of admiration that George had such loyalty for his country; he left his family to fight for it. Kate is shocked to see the trenches in France and saddened to hear George was invalided out due a mystery illness. Kate is keen to find out what it was and whether he ever fully recovered.
This programme is part of 1918-2008 – Ninety Years Of Remembrance, a special season of programmes on the BBC marking the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
FW
Amy is moved by Arthur's kindness in paying for her brother, Tip's, release from the Marshalsea, as Andrew Davies's adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic continues. She is so moved that she takes the enormous risk of going, accompanied by her friend, Maggy, to his lodgings to thank him, regardless of the fact that she'll miss the curfew at the Marshalsea and will have to spend the rest of the night on the dangerous streets of London.
John Chivery, the turnkey's son, is broken-hearted to see Amy's interest in Arthur. John has carried a torch for Amy since childhood and is now forced to galvanise himself in order to seize his chance with her before it's too late.
Meanwhile, Pancks, full-time rent-collector and part-time sleuth, takes charge of Arthur's investigations into his family's past, leaving Arthur free to visit the Meagles family in Twickenham. Pet Meagles is as pretty and sweet-natured as he remembered but her servant and companion, Tattycoram, is increasingly troubled. It transpires that she has been in contact with the strange, aloof Miss Wade, whom they all encountered in Marseilles. What does Miss Wade want with the vulnerable Tattycoram?
Amy is played by Claire Foy, Arthur by Matthew Macfadyen, Tip by Arthur Darvill, Maggy by Eve Myles, John Chivery by Russell Tovey, Pancks by Eddie Marsan, Pet Meagles by Georgia King, Tattycoram by Freema Agyeman and Miss Wade by Maxine Peake.
LH2
Arthur (Matthew Macfadyen)
is oblivious to Amy's feelings Sensing a rival in Arthur, John Chivery decides to make his move and propose to Amy, as Andrew Davies's adaptation of Charles Dickens's Little Dorrit continues. He is too late. Since she met Arthur, Amy knows she can never love John the way he needs her to and turns down his proposal. John is heartbroken – and Mr Dorrit is extremely put out that his daughter has upset the Chiverys, from whom he gets so much preferential treatment in the Marshalsea.
Arthur, meanwhile, entirely ignorant of Amy's growing feelings for him, is also disappointed in love when he meets Pet's rival suitor, Henry Gowan. However, he enjoys meeting the Meagles's family friend, inventor and engineer Daniel Doyce. Henry has been looking for a new business venture since his return to England. Could he have found the ideal partner in Doyce?
Cavalletto arrives in London, only to discover that he's been followed by the very man he came to England to get away from: Rigaud. Satisfied that he has frightened the life out of the little Italian, Rigaud goes to a back street tavern where he encounters Flintwinch's twin brother, Ephraim. When he sees the box containing Mrs Clennam's secret papers, Rigaud immediately senses an opportunity...
Arthur is played by Matthew Macfadyen, John Chivery by Russell Tovey, Amy by Claire Foy, Mr Dorrit by Tom Courtenay, Pet Meagles by Georgia King, Henry Gowan by Alex Wyndham, Daniel Doyce by Zubin Varla, Cavalletto by Jason Thorpe, Rigaud by Andy Serkis, Ephraim by Alun Armstrong and Mrs Clennam by Judy Parfitt.
LH2
The pressure is on for the team when they are alerted to a barrage of possible British al-Qaeda attacks and receive a tip-off about a particularly active terrorist cell, as the critically acclaimed spy drama continues. Desperate to unearth their plans, Ben is sent on a dangerous mission to infiltrate the cell.
Meanwhile, Harry is alarmed when Lucas reveals he is experiencing flashbacks to when he was incarcerated in a Russian prison, and recollects the word "Sugarhorse" repeatedly being used by his torturers. Harry denies all knowledge of "Sugarhorse" but secretly visits his trusted MI5 mentor, Bernard Qualtrough, to discuss his concerns over Lucas's revelations. It transpires that "Sugarhorse" is a top secret MI5 operation and the Russians have caught wind of its existence. Harry realises there must be a high-level mole within MI5, but who is the traitor?
Ben is deep undercover and discovers the terrorists are planning a bombing campaign in London. He accompanies them on a dry run but soon discovers that this is no practice and that he is minutes away from innocent members of the public getting killed.
Ros and the team face a desperate race against time to prevent the terrorists' bombs going off but, with four bombs set to detonate, it's an almost impossible task. Jo will stop at nothing to save London from devastation, landing herself at the centre of a catastrophic situation.
Ben Kaplan is played by Alex Lanipekun, Harry Pearce by Peter Firth, Lucas North by Richard Armitage, Bernard Qualtrough by Richard Johnson, Ros Myers by Hermione Norris and Jo Portman by Miranda Raison.
PPR
|
| BBC TWO Unplaced Week 45 |
|
BBC HEADROOM
Michael Portillo – Death Of A School Friend
Friday 7 November
9.00-10.00pm BBC TWO
www.bbc.co.uk/headroom
|
|
|
|
|
When Michael Portillo was at school, a close friend of his in the same class killed himself. They attended Harrow County School for Boys, a Grammar school which no longer exists.
Explaining the reason behind making this programme, Michael says: "This film is an accolade to a very gifted friend who chose, almost 40 years ago, to give up on life. It is also a tribute to the courage of his parents who have suffered agony every day since."
Gary was popular, a gifted musician and a clever student, but just before his 16th birthday he committed suicide, leaving a note telling his parents he loved them and asking them: "Please, don't be sad".
In detailed and moving interviews with Gary's parents, Jeanette and Ronnie, and his younger brother, Andy, Michael learns how impossible it was for them to fulfil this plea. He discovers how Gary's suicide and his family's enduring sense of loss has coloured their lives ever since.
Gary's father says: "The terrible grief you feel immediately stays with you for the rest of your life. It was 40 years ago, and I'm 80 now and it's still exactly the same feeling."
The implicit message from Gary's family to anyone who may be in despair and thinking of ending their life is: "Please, think hard about the affect on those you are leaving behind."
This is inherently a sad film, but it is uplifted by the courage shown by the family in reviving such painful memories – through home video revealing a happy and carefree family, and by wonderful music, especially the music Gary himself composed, which was lost for 40 years. It was only rediscovered in the making of this programme and, here, is performed by his younger brother.
Michael Portillo – Death Of A School Friend is part of BBC Headroom, a two-year mental health and wellbeing project. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health and de-stigmatise the problems surrounding the mental illness issues which face up to one in four of the population, including anxiety, stress, depression and nervous breakdown.
Supporting the transmission is a mental health action line – 08000 933 193 – which offers callers advice about where to get support if they, or someone they know, is going through a nervous breakdown or dealing with other mental health issues. There is also a website, bbc.co.uk/headroom.
KA
|
