Urban Presents : 30 Great British TV Dramas

Lisnaholic · 06-10-2018, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neapolitan

'The problem with that is UH excluded sitcoms which I would know more about. I would add Father Brown (2013) and The Prisoner (1967) other than that I really don't know any. The Avengers (1961) is another favorite but that is more action than drama. The Prisoner could be considered a dystopian drama. The Black Mirror could be thought of as a sci-fi drama I guess. Hmm too bad he never finished.'

^ Yep, The Prisoner was about the first prog that I thought of too. Such a stylish classic that it won't hurt to see the opening titles just one more time:-

I didn't know The Black Mirror was British, but then I've never seen any of it, having been warned about how confusing it is.

P.S: I don't think we should worry too much about distinguishing drama series from action series, as that line is often pretty blurred.

Trollheart · 06-10-2018, 03:08 PM

Got to include Broadchurch, the original House of Cards trilogy, The Onedin Line, Poldark, The Bill, Edge of Darkness, Doctor Who of course, The Tripods, The Fades, Class, Hope and Glory, Common as Muck as mentioned, Minder ... I'm sure there are literally hundreds more. Someone should take this over. Wish I could but, you know...

Lisnaholic · 06-10-2018, 05:43 PM

I remember, but didn't regularly watch those series, TH. The exception is Minder. I was sharing a flat with someone at the time and although we used to be out and about independently most of the week, we made a point of staying in on Monday nights to watch it. Protagonist Arthur Daley even inspired a pop song, if you remember. ( Actually, if you do remember, you may well have spent the time since trying to forget this piece of ephemeral '80s pop):-

Of course the BBC's reputation for good quality drama series was cemented by The Forstye Saga, which, back in the days when there were only three tv channels available, broke all kinds of records:-

Quote:

It was when the series was later repeated on Sunday evenings on BBC1, starting on 8 September 1968, that the programme's success was secured with 18 million tuning in for the final episode in 1969. It is often quoted that both publicans and clergymen in the United Kingdom complained that the Sunday night repeats were driving away customers and worshippers, respectively, and there are tales of Sunday Evensong services being moved to prevent a clash with the broadcast. A retrospective on the series by PBS Masterpiece Theatre notes that:

"Viewers remember the way the nation shut down each Sunday night for the event. Pubs closed early and the streets were deserted. The Church even rescheduled its evening worship services so that the immense audience could be ready for the start of the show at 7:25pm."

Following its success in Britain, the series was shown in the United States on public television and broadcast all over the world, and became the first BBC television programme to be sold to the Soviet Union. The worldwide audience was estimated as something in the region of 160 million. The series won a Royal Television Society Silver Medal and a BAFTA for Best Drama Series or Serial. Following its transmission in 1967 by RTÉ, the Republic of Ireland's national broadcast service, the BBC production won a Jacob's Award at the annual presentation ceremony in Dublin.

In this scene, old guy Soames has been sent by his daughter Fleur to visit his estranged wife Irene to discuss Fleur's marriage to Jon. Unfortunately for all concerned, Jon is Irene's illegitimate son and Fleur's half-brother (I think). For a fuller explanation, just check out John Galsworthy's original nine-volume saga.

Notice the stiff upper lips all round, and the black and white production: if you're watching The Forsyte Saga in colour, you've been duped by some remake whose quality I can't vouch for.

"Mother, let's go to Italy!" What young man has not said this when his love-life takes a turn for the worse??

Lisnaholic · 06-10-2018, 07:30 PM

^ Good choice, both of you: Macnee and Rigg were the first to play the roles and are usually considered the best I believe.

Talking of The Forsytes put me in mind of Downton Abbey, which is pretty much a decendant of the same "Beeb" (=BBC) drama style. I wonder if that was popular in the US?

Neapolitan · 06-13-2018, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

^ Yep, The Prisoner was about the first prog that I thought of too. Such a stylish classic that it won't hurt to see the opening titles just one more time:-

I didn't know The Black Mirror was British, but then I've never seen any of it, having been warned about how confusing it is.

P.S: I don't think we should worry too much about distinguishing drama series from action series, as that line is often pretty blurred.

I love its theme song, the guitar had such a clean sound.

Black Mirror is like a modern Twilight Zone or Outer Limits. It isn't too difficult to get into. It tackles questions like human conscientiousness being transferred (or for some characters more like trapped) in a computer device.

Lisnaholic · 06-17-2018, 07:56 AM

^

"Secret Asian Man" ! Those misunderstandings make for much more interesting lyrics, don't they? Somewhere in Atom Heart Mother, a guy says "Silence in the studio" in a distorted voice. So distorted that I couldn't quite work out what it was, so I opted for "Giants in wisteria," even though I knew I was probably wrong.

And Blimey! "Danger Man" is really old, but I certainly enjoyed it as a kid. It was quite clever the way Patrick McGoohan built on the earlier character in creating Number Six without making any explicit connection at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neapolitan

Black Mirror is like a modern Twilight Zone or Outer Limits. It isn't too difficult to get into. It tackles questions like human conscientiousness being transferred (or for some characters more like trapped) in a computer device.

^ Thanks! I'll start watching BM on the basis of your reassurance.

grindy · 06-15-2018, 05:14 AM

*consciousness

rubber soul · 06-17-2018, 07:25 AM

I'd say Monty Python if comedy skit shows were allowed. Otherwise, the Prisoner has to be the cream of British dramas. Did anyone mention Danger Man or the Saint (pre James Bond Roger Moore)? Danger Man was repackaged in the states as Secret Agent Man. They even used the Johnny Rivers hit as the theme song.

I don't think they showed the earlier Avengers series in the states. ABC picked up the Patrick MacNee-Diana Rigg version. That was a cool duo.

Neapolitan · 06-17-2018, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubber soul

I'd say Monty Python if comedy skit shows were allowed. Otherwise, the Prisoner has to be the cream of British dramas. Did anyone mention Danger Man or the Saint (pre James Bond Roger Moore)? Danger Man was repackaged in the states as Secret Agent Man. They even used the Johnny Rivers hit as the theme song.

I don't think they showed the earlier Avengers series in the states. ABC picked up the Patrick MacNee-Diana Rigg version. That was a cool duo.

I thought he sang "Secret Asian Man"?

rubber soul · 06-17-2018, 07:38 AM

Ha-ha. Nope, just like Jimi Hendrix didn't sing,'Scuse' me while I kiss this guy.'

06-10-2018, 03:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	Got to include Broadchurch, the original House of Cards trilogy, The Onedin Line, Poldark, The Bill, Edge of Darkness, Doctor Who of course, The Tripods, The Fades, Class, Hope and Glory, Common as Muck as mentioned, Minder ... I'm sure there are literally hundreds more. Someone should take this over. Wish I could but, you know... __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

06-10-2018, 07:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	^ Good choice, both of you: Macnee and Rigg were the first to play the roles and are usually considered the best I believe. Talking of The Forsytes put me in mind of Downton Abbey, which is pretty much a decendant of the same "Beeb" (=BBC) drama style. I wonder if that was popular in the US? __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

06-15-2018, 05:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
grindy . Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: . Posts: 7,201	consciousness __________________ A smell of petroleum prevails throughout.*