They Shall Not Grow Old - Film released 16 October

Awe Inspiring - Brilliantly moving.This was supposed to be the war that ended all wars - unfortunately the Versailles treaty meant that would never happen

A very worthy, brilliant piece. Probably as close we can get to getting an insight of the horrors of war without, understandably, ever being able to appreciate the full horror. The colour was like opening a door to the trenches.

If anything from the colour I was really surprised at how green No Mans Land was... i.e. at one point we got an aerial view of the trenches and was surrounded by really nice greenery whereas I'd have expected it just to have been a brown mudbath.

The later image of all the flooded shell holes was what I imagined it to be yet even then it took me a while to realise what I was looking at as initially thought it was some netting looking up at the sky - As RedMidland says though, what brought it home was when those horses (were they Cavalry or were they pulling wagons / artillery) got the direct hit as really hit home (no pun intended)

Ultimately though it was the words from one old soldier before the attack when he said about you having time to just sit and think - For me that would be it, even now if I'm nervous or scared of going something I just have to get on with it, sitting around and waiting would harden my resolve to walk away and can really see how there would have been cases of men refusing to go over the top because they'd been mentally pushed beyond the limit

MuttleyCAFC said:

Imagine doing that walk towards the enemy, with bullets and shells flying around you and mates dropping like stones as you walk on.

I know what you mean, Mutts, but for us it is impossible to imagine what that was like - truly impossible.

I recorded the film last night - my wife was away for the weekend and I want to watch it with her, and will tonight.

Recorded and will watch in the next day or two when I am alone and in a position to reflect and be both sorrowful and happy as the moment takes me.

I was surprised how effective and emotive the sequences near the end were when the hand to hand combat was being described verbally while artists drawings were relied upon to set the picture. Almost like drawings taken from The Victor comic book from my childhood. Jutting jaws and big fists.

Thought I couldn’t be shocked by anything about WW1 but so much of that film opened my eyes to something new.

ForeverAddickted said:

Does anyone know if its going to be available to purchase on DVD or Digitally?

Its certainly something I'd like to watch back with my Son when he grows up and learns to appreciate what happened

It’s available on BBCi Player

McBobbin said:

Redmidland said:

I was completely amazed at this film, I was also very saddened and in tears on a few occasions. We saw the horrors of war in front of our eyes, not actors, but real people dying. The scene where the horses were killed by artillery was just horrific. As an ex-squadie I have no idea how the troops kept their 'bawdy' sense of humor in such awful conditions. Laughing as they spoke of 4 of them going for a dump (no toilets, just a hole in the ground with a pole stretched across it, where you went for a communal dump) when the pole snapped and they fell into the cesspit!!
The way they were then treated when they came home was disgusting and a slight on our government of the day.
Thank you to all that served and to those that made the ultimate sacrifice. RIP to all of you.

Completely agree.vtge film brought it home in a way that previous documentaries using the stock footage in black and white just couldn't quite. Regarding the humour, you'll probably know this too, but I've got a few mates who served in Iraq and Afghanistan,and their humour is as dark as anything. Probably the only thing keeping them sane.

It's remarkable how things change and yet remain the same. It reminded me of my experiences in Afghanistan. Humour gets you through everything. I remember a vigil ceremony for a soldier that was killed. One of his mates gave the eulogy, full of banter and jokes. It was funny but utterly heartbreaking.

The other thing that rang true - when you get home, nobody gives a fuck.

Watched this last night and was amazed and upset all at the same time, I know my great great granddad was wounded at Gallipoli (shot in the head but survived and was wheel chair bound) and his son (my great granddad) tried to sign up but was 14yrs old at the time. He eventually went on to serve in WW2.

Does anyone know a good website to find service records for family members as I have been looking online today but not too sure what one is best I know full names, DOB, regiments and deaths but nothing comes up when I do the free search?

Thanks

Red_James said:

Watched this last night and was amazed and upset all at the same time, I know my great great granddad was wounded at Gallipoli (shot in the head but survived and was wheel chair bound) and his son (my great granddad) tried to sign up but was 14yrs old at the time. He eventually went on to serve in WW2.

Does anyone know a good website to find service records for family members as I have been looking online today but not too sure what one is best I know full names, DOB, regiments and deaths but nothing comes up when I do the free search?

Thanks

www.forces-war-records.co.uk ... Isnt bad yet again isnt free

Its quite good in the respect that my Great Grandad was part of the Blackheath & Woolwich, got wounded, came home and then returned to France as part of one of the other London Battalions yet the link traces where his Battalion would have been, when he was out there

ForeverAddickted said:

Bedsaddick said:

ForeverAddickted said:

Does anyone know if its going to be available to purchase on DVD or Digitally?

Its certainly something I'd like to watch back with my Son when he grows up and learns to appreciate what happened

It’s available on BBCi Player

Yeah will be watching it back a few times on there... Wasnt sure though if it'll remain on there indefinitely

I downloaded it to watch this morning. Says it's on there for 6 days.

Only 30 mins in but incredible viewing.

I know my great grandfather fought in WW1 and his brother fought and died as part of the Royal Flying Corps. Sadly I don't know any details. My great grandfather died when I was too young to understand and take an interest.

I've recorded it to watch tonight, I've said for years that every single British school child should be taken to the battlefields as part of their basic curriculum.

I distinctly remember going to the imperial war museum as a kid and the effect it had on me. The savagery of the first world war and scale of death, suffering and injury is incomprehensible. Seeing the number of gravestones and the amount with no name on, it's impossible to not be hugely moved. I don't know anyone who has gone there and come back not affected by what they saw.

Carter said:

I've recorded it to watch tonight, I've said for years that every single British school child should be taken to the battlefields as part of their basic curriculum.

I distinctly remember going to the imperial war museum as a kid and the effect it had on me. The savagery of the first world war and scale of death, suffering and injury is incomprehensible. Seeing the number of gravestones and the amount with no name on, it's impossible to not be hugely moved. I don't know anyone who has gone there and come back not affected by what they saw.

What @Carter said.
Also Carter, have you been to the Imperial war Museum recently, it was renovated about 2 years ago? If not, go along, its absolutely cracking, the WW1 part is excellent, as is all of it, a word of warning you will need a full day there just to see it all......!