Good though it is this short-lived six part mini series broadcast on ITV during July and August of 2004 seems to be comprehensively covered though its IMDB section (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401019/) which offers a particularly good episode synopsis section effectively leaving me with little new to contribute other than mentioning memorable aspects that I have enjoyed. So instead I’d like to concentrate on DVD title presentation beneath the attractively designed cover. It is a great shame that there is no looped images and theme tune accompanying the main menu which has a static montage of character shots as a background to the options you can select. Both discs offer up three episodes however it is only the first one that provides additional ‘special features’ options. These are in the form of text sections divided into ‘Historical Background’, ‘Cast Reflections’, 'Cast Filmographies’ plus a slow changing montage of twenty-two shots in the (1:06) Picture Gallery. The first option provides the viewer with a suitably detailed six page ‘overview’ of the ‘Occupation of the Channel Islands’ whilst eight cast members are interviewed regarding their participation in the series. These are of varying page length covering similar question ground where the recipients (Louisa Clein(4), Julia Ford(1), Joanne Froggatt(2), Clare Holman(2), Saskia Reeves(2), Samantha Robinson(2), Owen Teale(2), James Wilby(2)) have a differing amount to say in reply. The cast filmographies section takes in Julia Ford, Laurence Fox, Joanne Froggatt, Sean Gallagher, Philip Glenister, Clare Holman, Conor Mullen, Saskia Reeves, Owen Teale and James Wilby with a pleasing large ‘in character’ portrait alongside their previous ‘selected titles’ work. Whilst selecting each episode takes you to the respective ‘individual titled’ chapter selection the aspects I find particularly unpardonable are both the absence of subtitles for such a recent series and the extremely poor chapter divisions which ignore the natural transmission commercial breaks. I suppose these are minor gripes that viewers like myself will forget about such is the filmic high gloss impressive quality of the series taking in such stunning picturesque Isle of Mann locations matched with fine memorable performances and pleasing well scored incidental music.
DISC ONE – 01 – EVE OF WAR (1:05:18)
For the most part I found the first part fairly drawn out and slow moving between the initial pulling out of British troops from the island and the eventual arrival of the Germans towards the end of the opening episode. Things start promisingly enough with a fisherman drawing in his catch close to the Northern France coast as five British army personnel attempt to escape the mainland. Their approach to the fishing boat is detected by German soldiers high up on the nearby cliff whom instantly begin firing their machine gun towards the helpless figures in the water. With the local boat owner escaping this is definitely an excitingly dramatic initial scene setting sequence but it’s a long while until the invading forces threat has such a dramatic impact. The opening episode seems more interested in establishing the local residents way of life and form of government as they come to terms to the shift in their wartime situation from protected island to imminent occupied territory. Probably the most memorable sequence, about twenty minutes from the end, happens down in the quayside of the fishing village when German aircraft make an attacking run bombing local produce lorries (innocently carrying tomatoes) and causing considerable loss of life. The most harrowing is naturally Urban Mahy whom whilst fleeing from taking pictures of the planes overhead drops his camera as a volley of bullets strike him down straight into full frame central shot. The contrasting styles of leadership on the island are apparent from the respective addresses given by first local Bailiff Francis Greogry and later occupying military commander Baron Von Reingarten. The former to the civilian population is weak and indecisive causing more panic than good amongst those assembled whilst the latter to his troops is suitably self assured and confident regarding the ease with which they have occupied the island.
For the most part this seems to retread similar ground covered in previous occupied island drama “Enemy At The Door” however this 2004 mini series seems more pleasing thanks to stunning location filming, better use of incidental music and an impressive cast featuring amongst others the silky smooth charms of Philip Glenister, better known for playing DCI Gene Hunt in the popular BBC series “Life On Mars”/”Ashes To Ashes”. From his initial scenes at the local airport where he meets representatives of the local government it is easy to see Glenister portraying the senior German officer with an appealing memorable air of relaxed authority.
DISC ONE – 02 – LIVING WITH THE ENEMY (1:06:59)
Further to the raid on the harbour the Mahy family assemble to bury the camera carrying Urban however with the Germans having commandeered all the cars on the island widow Cassie is unwilling to accept a handcart to transport her husband to the church. I guess it was kind of expected that having insisted on having access to the hearse that whilst they are assembled around the grave with the vicar reading the sermon that German soldiers in a brass band would march past playing an particularly disrespectful upbeat number. However showing resilience to this slur on their resolve one lady present instigated and got others to join her in singing the seemingly patriotic ‘Roll out the barrel’. Another key and expected scene is the attempted refusing to serve German soldiers in Cassie’s grocery shop which brings the inevitable hostile reprisal from an incensed officer which ably demonstrates the enemy occupied inferior status of local island residents. Both this and the later scene which finds British soldiers down on the beach attempting to evade a nocturnal search for them and the German whom they had killed are matched with suitably effective praise worthy incidental music which ably supports and enhances the drama being played out. Naturally the anti Jewish sentiment expressed by the German occupiers is touched on as demonstrated on a visit to the I Issacks photography shop with the white paint signing on the window and inferred warning on the remaining non Jewish staff to change the business name before they are able to serve soldiers.
Watched 3 & 4 last night, wasn't too impressed with the former however I thought the latter offered up some dramatic surprises which I hope to reflect on and come back next week!
