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An engaging documentary that is accessible and interesting yet another intelligent offering from BBC4
After World War II, the British public voted a Labour Government into power on the promise of sweeping social reforms. Led by the modest and unremarkable Clement Attlee, the victory was a surprise to almost everyone as it was general wisdom that the Tory party would return but with a reduced majority. However once in power it became clear that this would never be possible as the Treasury warned him that the country was facing ruin thanks to the war with weapons production not earning as much, exports falling, soldiers still overseas and the American aid stopped. With the massive challenges ahead of them, Attlee had to take a load from the US along with many concessions but what followed was a dramatic reform of industry and an expansion of the welfare state but also the challenges associated with an economy on the brink.
Clement Attlee. I cannot think of a pub quiz question that I could have answered in relation to him and his government maybe (assuming no drinks have been consumed) I could have told you he was the first Prime Minister after Churchill but beyond that nothing. So I decided to give this documentary a try and was surprised by how clear and concise it was for someone like myself. As narrator Professor David Reynolds points out, Attlee's challenges may have been different from those of Churchill but they were just as important. It doesn't sound it though does it? The main challenges of his Government being related to national and international economics not a subject I have a lot of knowledge or understanding of. However it is fascinating to look back at this period and have it delivered with such clarity and ease. The detail is enough to give you an understanding and a knowledge but not so much as to bog it down or overwhelm the viewer. So we have the events around the devaluation of the pound well explained, the terrible blizzards that brought the country to its knees as well as wonderful little nuggets such as Attlee being driven round the country by his wife in the family car, speaking while she relaxed and did knitting it is wonderfully British and a situation we could never have now. Of the lack of detail does mean that there is little time for judgement or reflection. For example the naivety of Attlee's plan to ask for a grant
Reynolds is a terrible impressionist (his Churchill is closer to Yoda) but he is a great presenter and, as writer, has made the film as good as it is. The total film is a great mix of him speaking and archive footage and it works really well. Overall then an engaging documentary that delivers a period in history that will forever be forgotten in the classrooms in favour of the war. It is well written and delivered by Reynolds and is yet another intelligent and rewarding piece of film from BBC4.
Clement Attlee. I cannot think of a pub quiz question that I could have answered in relation to him and his government maybe (assuming no drinks have been consumed) I could have told you he was the first Prime Minister after Churchill but beyond that nothing. So I decided to give this documentary a try and was surprised by how clear and concise it was for someone like myself. As narrator Professor David Reynolds points out, Attlee's challenges may have been different from those of Churchill but they were just as important. It doesn't sound it though does it? The main challenges of his Government being related to national and international economics not a subject I have a lot of knowledge or understanding of. However it is fascinating to look back at this period and have it delivered with such clarity and ease. The detail is enough to give you an understanding and a knowledge but not so much as to bog it down or overwhelm the viewer. So we have the events around the devaluation of the pound well explained, the terrible blizzards that brought the country to its knees as well as wonderful little nuggets such as Attlee being driven round the country by his wife in the family car, speaking while she relaxed and did knitting it is wonderfully British and a situation we could never have now. Of the lack of detail does mean that there is little time for judgement or reflection. For example the naivety of Attlee's plan to ask for a grant
Reynolds is a terrible impressionist (his Churchill is closer to Yoda) but he is a great presenter and, as writer, has made the film as good as it is. The total film is a great mix of him speaking and archive footage and it works really well. Overall then an engaging documentary that delivers a period in history that will forever be forgotten in the classrooms in favour of the war. It is well written and delivered by Reynolds and is yet another intelligent and rewarding piece of film from BBC4.
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- bob the moo
- Jan 8, 2007
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