World on Fire

I only keep watching for the scenes in the woods that I watched being filmed. In woods very close to me.

In spite of misgivings we are still watching this although there are anomalies that make us wince a bit. We thought tonight's episode with the Rossler family was well done and very harrowing, plus I am now devoted to Vernon so I do hope he doesn't "buy it" and ends up with Lois and baby. Lesley Manville continues to out-act everyone, especially the guy playing Harry who seems to have only one expression.

I'm still watching it every week (on catch-up), but can't say it's the most gripping series ever. I agree that the female characters overall are stronger, but I really liked Blake Harrison as the sergeant, except I just kept thinking of him in The Inbetweeners and laughing. Not only the timeline is puzzling, as Barmeyoldbat said, how did the young Polish man get across Europe? Would have made more sense to escape via Sweden surely, as I know lots of Polish people did.

I like it because it is historically interesting as well as being a drama about human struggles. The acting is pretty convincing too. It was a bit confusing to begin with when all the characters were introduced, but the story is now unfolding without being too contrived ...... except that for me the gay/black doctor relationship seems unnecessarily exaggerated, unless I am missing something??

We are enjoying it and will watch it all. However DW likes it a little better than me.

Really enjoying this but how did the Polish man (can't remember his name) get from Poland on the Russian front, through Poland to where the Germans were, right across Germany and Belgium into France so quickly. Otherwise reckon I will keep watching.

I definitely think Douglas and Robina will get together, there is a lot of chemistry from her side but I think it won't cross his mind unless she takes the lead.

Oooh Calendargirl wouldn't that be fab!!!

I agree that Harry is pretty wet. I too hope the sergeant makes it back to Blighty.
Do you think Douglas and Robina will end up together? I think she fancies him despite being rather hoity-toity with him. Poor Sean should not be on his own in his little house!

I felt tonight’s episode had gone into slow motion. Generally The story is interesting and most of the acting is good, but Jonah Hauer-King is too wet to take the lead roll, he has no character or charisma to carry the story along. Apart from the sergeant, I think the women have all the best parts.

Thought tonight’s episode was the best so far. First one I’ve really followed who was who, and what was going on.

I enjoy BBC dramas so this should be right up my street. The storyline good, the acting good, there’s not too much blood and gore but it lacks something and I can’t put my finger on it. It just lacks atmosphere.

I don’t usually watch war films but find this one interesting because it’s not just about ‘goodies and baddies’ but shades of, which is more real.
It’s strange how I have come to happily watch foreign films (bbc4 on a Saturday night!) with subtitles maybe because we watch English subtitles too these days.

We've been watching but think we are going to give up on this one. Such an important part of the war deserves better, the Poles suffered so dreadfully and were such staunch allies.

Too many stereotypes, one-dimensional characters, acting's a bit hit-or-miss except for Lesley Manville and Sean Bean. The timeline seems a bit flexible, to say the least; surely Lois would be much further along than she seems to be, given that Harry has been in Poland/England/Belgium/France. And that must have been some fast ship to get the horrible son back from the River Plate so quickly ...

That said, the Polish side of things is well-acted and very real, as are the scenes with Helen Hunt (how thin she's got!) and the German family. So maybe we'll stick with it, haven't decided yet.

Not something I would normally expect to enjoy but the acting is excellent. Yes I continue to despair over why we continue to have wars and how hopeless it is for the ordinary people involved in them but I have already become involved with the human stories being told. I like the balance between the 'doing something for my country', the 'conscientious objector' and the 'one who doesn't really care'. I will continue to watch.

I was a bit disappointed in it last week tbh, but as ayse says, the first episode has to set up for the rest of the series. DH enjoyed it so I’ll try episode 2, which we’ve recorded.

It's a welcome addition to Sunday nights. Lesley Manville is as always superb, polar opposite to "Mum" in this role.

I was trying to think who the young Polish actress reminded me of, I agree Jane, she is like Saoirse Ronan.

No, I've never seen Schindler's List. I know what happened, my imagination can supply the rest.

I found the violence stomach-churning
Presumably you haven't seen Schindler's List then. Much worse I think. I am no fan of violence and gore for entertainment purposes, but I grit my teeth for WW2 dramas because we know it really happened.

I’m really enjoying this and finding it emotionally engaging, unlike Sanditon. There are some very good actors in it, particularly the young Polish girl, she reminds me of Saiorse Ronan. Sean Bean is very good as I would expect and so is
Lesley Manville. Full marks to the BBC for this.

I caught up with this last night. I found the violence stomach-churning but I think it has the makings of a good series.

There's a new book out called First To Fight, about Poland's defence of itself at the start of WW2. I think I'll get it for dh's Xmas present.

I watched it. It has got Sean Bean in it ! It's good. but I think his character would have been ensnared by some local woman ages ago. Shocked to realise he was 60 this year.

As sodapop says lots of human interest.
DH and I are both enjoying it.

I love WW2 dramas, not so much the battlefields but the way it affected ordinary people and their lives. So many stories of bravery. This ticks all my boxes, brilliant acting, sets, costumes, script, and it captures the war atmosphere. I can't fault it, and I would expect this to win some BAFTAS or other awards.

I caught the last 20 mins or so. Not really my thing but my friend's DD was in it so I had to watch.

I'm out on a Sunday eve so will have to watch on iPlayer.