The Promise - Channel 4 (6 AB Div in Palestine)

[jack-daniels]

Just seen a trailer for this prog starting on Channel 4 next week with what seems like a fair bit focussed on the Para Regt and 6 AB DIV in Palestine in 1946.

The Promise - Channel 4

Will this be like the rest of Channel 4's offerings with regard to the British Army and make out that all the Middle East woes are Airborne based?! Or, will they surprise us and be impartial?

Brief resume of 6 AB in Palestine:

6th Airborne Division In Palestine

 

[Gooner1988]

I've read an interview with the director. Apparently he made some programme called 'The Warriors'. Which is about the British Army in Bosnia I do believe. After he made this he got a letter from an ex-Para, who served in Palestine, who said he enjoyed the show, then he said at the end of the letter "You should do a film about British soldiers in Palestine? No-one remembers us". So he's cracked on with it. From the interview it comes across that he will definitely show how rough a time the British soldiers had out there, and not some anti-Imperialistic bollocks that we usually have to put up with.

Claire Foy Source — Claire-Foy.org • • Peter Kosminsky: Britain’s humiliation in Palestine

 

[jack-daniels]

If that's the case then it should be good as 'Warriors' was outstanding.
Have to wait and see!

 

[steven seagull]

If that's the case then it should be good as 'Warriors' was outstanding.
Have to wait and see!

Seconded.

I saw the teaser trailer a few weeks back and it looked to be about a young girl in the modern era. I caught the full trailer last night with the Para Regt bits and thought I'd give it a go. If its anything like Warriors then I should finally have something to watch on a Sunday night.

 

[Gungythree]

If that's the case then it should be good as 'Warriors' was outstanding.
Have to wait and see!

Didn't Frank Carson serve in Palestine?

 

[br9mp81]

Didn't Frank Carson serve in Palestine?

and bernard cribbens?

 

[jack-daniels]

Didn't Frank Carson serve in Palestine?

Not sure, he didn't join until the 50's I believe.

and bernard cribbens?

No idea! Maybe he went there in a TARDIS!

 

[Gooner1988]

Anyone watch this? I personally thought it was a great opener. Less interested in the whiney little bitch in the modern parts, although still doing a good job at showing the present situation. Great acting from the Northern lad playing the Sgt. Fucked up how them lads were killed, even darker stuff to come. Look forward to the next episodes. Good to finally see my Grandad and the 100,000 others get their story told.

 

[Abdiel]

Its a good start presents a open argument and (pigs flyby) the berets were shaped amazing.

 

[DrunkenIrish]

Just watched the first part having recorded. As has been said the grandaughter wears a face like a slapped arse the whole time, was actually hoping she was going to wander back into the cafe just before the suicide bombing, but the 1940s plot seems very interesting and will hopefully stay as is and not veer into melodrama.

 

[BTDT]

So far pretty good. The modern day locations and atmosphere are excellent and the 1945 era is well captured. I guess most of the guys playing paras are ex-IDF (It is a joint UK/Israel production) so know how to wear a beret - pity that they didn't advise some of those playing bigger parts. Some of the weapon handling was a bit iffy (holding Sten by magazine etc) and I thought I saw a Ferret (but it could have been a Dingo). I doubt that some of the operations shown would not have had an officer present, but it is possible that the Sgt telling the story was a Pln Sgt of a sub unit without a Pln Comd. Overall, though, it seemed pretty well researched to me, more authentic than many TV offerings, and trying to show all sides of the problem.

 

[Democritus]

Not at all bad, though I, too, remarked on the absence of officers at times, and some modern idiom seemed to have crept into one or two of the post-war scenes. And the blurb in the Telegraph banged on about the "attention to detail" in this "fearsomely well-researched" programme, so I was a bit underwhelmed to read, in an article by the director in the same paper, that Sgt Matthews is a member of the Paratroop Regiment. Mr Kosminsky seems to be a graduate of the Cyclops School of Military Accuracy.

 

[Abdiel]

Just watched the first part having recorded. As has been said the grandaughter wears a face like a slapped arse the whole time, was actually hoping she was going to wander back into the cafe just before the suicide bombing, but the 1940s plot seems very interesting and will hopefully stay as is and not veer into melodrama.

I believe thats what they call character development she's ment to be a spoilt selfish bitch but as the story progresses and she uncovers more of her grandfathers past her attitude will change. The end of the series will see probably see her laying flowers and beret at the olds mans grave with a newfound respect. whoops sorry spoilers!

 

[steven seagull]

I believe thats what they call character development she's ment to be a spoilt selfish bitch but as the story progresses and she uncovers more of her grandfathers past her attitude will change. The end of the series will see probably see her laying flowers and beret at the olds mans grave with a newfound respect. whoops sorry spoilers!

The girl also acts as a way of explaining the story to those with no knowledge of the area. You learn as she does sort of thing. Her part of the story got in the way of the more interesting 1940's story but from the previews I've seen it looks as though her part of the story will pick up in the coming weeks.Really enjoying it so far.

Anyone notice the lad that killed himself in "The Accused" pop up as a para? Fcuking hope Gareth from the office doesnt turn up!!

 

[BTDT]

....... so I was a bit underwhelmed to read, in an article by the director in the same paper, that Sgt Matthews is a member of the Paratroop Regiment. Mr Kosminsky seems to be a graduate of the Cyclops School of Military Accuracy.

I am sure that I noticed (aged eyes permitting) that the 1945 gravestone showed "Parachute Regiment" - but then spoilt it with the following row reading "Army Air Corps"! Still, mustn't quibble. Overall a B+



***Delete my last - see below

 

[jack-daniels]

I am sure that I noticed (aged eyes permitting) that the 1945 gravestone showed "Parachute Regiment" - but then spoilt it with the following row reading "Army Air Corps"! Still, mustn't quibble. Overall a B+

That would be correct......here's one from Arnhem

 

[Gooner1988]

I'm hoping for more tight bodied IDF girls. Fingers crossed.

 

[jack-daniels]

I was the Albert Hall a few years ago for the Festival of Remembrance and was chatting to an old Para Regt bloke who'd been on the Palestine Op and Mrs JD was chatting to his wife (she'd been a Nurse out there) and she said to wifey in a matter of fact way ''I ******* hate the Jews''.....I nearly choked on my beer hearing this from a little grey haired old girl. Turns out that the Stern gang murdered some of her good friends out there and she'd never forgiven them.

 

[steven seagull]

I was the Albert Hall a few years ago for the Festival of Remembrance and was chatting to an old Para Regt bloke who'd been on the Palestine Op and Mrs JD was chatting to his wife (she'd been a Nurse out there) and she said to wifey in a matter of fact way ''I ******* hate the Jews''.....I nearly choked on my beer hearing this from a little grey haired old girl. Turns out that the Stern gang murdered some of her good friends out there and she'd never forgiven them.

Cant blame her really. When I was a nipper we had to hide the fact we did Karate as my grans sister would have disowned us. Her husband died in captivity at the hands of the Japanese and she went to the grave 5 years back still cursing them.

 

[Gooner1988]

Sounds like my grandad. He served out there, said his experiences were worse than those in Europe. He said at least against the Nazis his friends got to die bravely in the heat of battle. Where as the Israelis just murdered them like dogs. I recall being about 11 years old and had just learnt about the Holocaust at school. I said to my grandad soon after "Hitler killed a lot of Jews didn't he grandad". His reaction "Yes he did...but not enough". Needless to say I was shocked, then he went on to tell me some pretty grim stories that I later found out he has never told anyone but me before. It's a shit world.