Testament of Youth

I have read and loved the book, and found the film, first time round very moving, but from what has been said here I don't think I shall bother with this latest version. I absolutely agree about offspring cashing in with revelations about their parents. Very undignified and disloyal. People of Vera's generation saw things very differently from today so it's not surprising that she and her compatriots viewed certain aspects of the world in a way that we would find unacceptable.

And if Roland had been suffering from Spanish 'flu' when he was feeling poorly at the station he would never have made it to the front.

The incorrect reference to Spanish 'flu' made me cross. It wasn't recognised until 1918 and if it had been 'rampaging through the troops' (or whatever the aunt said) the war would probably have ground to a halt. It killed more people world-wide than died in WW1.

I've never read the book but I remember that it was one that my Dad regarded very highly.

I watched the film and was surprised that, despite the tragedy of the whole thing, I didn't find it particularly moving.

I don't think I'll read the book. Life is depressing enough without adding to it.

The BBC version of Testament of Youth was very good. Definitely worth getting hold of if you've never seen it. I think it was the first time we saw Cheryl Campbell.

I was disappointed with this newer film. I've read the book, and the sequel and after watching this version I think I'll re-read . It applied a lot of cinematic licence which I'm not too keen on ....i.e. I'm sure Vera went to meet her fiance at the hotel on her own (maybe I'm wrong) but it seemed to be very 'Downtonised'.... every one in posh frocks and planning the wedding. And the reference to someone having Spanish flu before the 1st World War had almost started was poor research.... the Spanish flu epidemic began after the war. The 1970s BBC version was much truer to the book... from what I recall.
As for John Caitlin's book.... I get totally sick of adult children cashing in on their parent's fame by dredging up salacious family details for a quick buck. Shirley Williams has behaved in a far more dignified manner . But then we don't get to choose our children or our siblings, unfortunately .

I read the book and loved it. I found the film disappointing.

I read the book as a teenager and as she was hit by more and more tragedy I remember thinking that if it was a novel you would say it was unbelievable.

i watched the film and loved it. I have actually added to my list of things to do tomorrow a trip to the library to see if i can get one of Vers Britten's books.

I've enjoyed all those books Luckygirl, hope you do too. I think there was a hint about her brother Edward in last night's film. John Catlin is very frank in his book but I haven't ever heard or read anything detrimental from Shirley Williams about her mother. While I enjoyed the film, I'm going to buy the DVDs of the 1979 BBC TV series of Testament of Youth with Cheryl Campbell, which we absolutely loved when we saw it then, much longer, more detailed and realistic.

I didn't know about the book by her son, Luckygirl. Sad about her brother, Edward.

I enjoyed the film last night.