18 replies to this topic

[Andy c. Neilson]

My brother Gordon has seen it ...and thoroughly enjoyed it...It's on my 'Viewing List'.
Andy.

[Larry_B]

I will have to give it a try. It has a fantasy feel to some of the weapons and armor which has really got my inner-curmudgeon activated. Of course, I had a similar reaction to Vikings' first episode and now love it (even if the history and tactics are often deeply flawed, not always, but often.)

 

Just have to stop taking my "knowledge" so damn seriously and enjoy it.

[Larry_B]

 

It's entertainment Larry. So be entertained.

I've got Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands waiting in the wings once I get through the latest season of Vikings.

Sometimes I am good at suspension of disbelief, but sometimes it really irks me. I think I wanted this to be accurate and I am pouting that it isn't. Of course, the really accurate films like the German "Stalingrad", "Downfall" and "Generation War*" usually end up really depressing. Just struck me, the Germans can't afford a fantasy with their legacy. Probably why Das Boot (which should be in the list above) and the others are so gritty and realistic all the way to the end. 

 

* I know there are some far out aspects of the four main characters interacting so much across the huge Eastern Front

[brian]

 

Yeah, the world's still waiting for the first German sit-com....

That's rather savage, most Germans I've met in person are "just like us"....

Ever seen a certain "Fawlty Towers" episode?

[Hunter Rose]

I just started this series and am enjoying it immensely.  This is not my era of expertise, but it definitely feels more realistic to me (than say Vikings).

 

For you experts on Vikings, what are some good reference books or websites to start increasing the knowledge?  I'm interested in Viking history but also the more technical aspects such as weaponry and tactics.

[Larry_B]

This was surprisingly good:

 

https://smile.amazon...=I2HZIITDAN4392

 

Written like a manual or a recruitment handbook. Has some humor, but also packed full info that reads very easy. Good "beach" history book.

 

There is a similar one on knights that is also good.

[Spitfrnd]

Nearing the end of Season 2 of the Last Kingdom and I can say it is overall even better than the first season.  The original core characters remain splendidly done, particularly Uhtred and Alfred.  The new characters, notably Gisela, Finnan, Aethelflaed, Shitric and Eric are all perfectly cast and excel and bring the characters to life.  I am not as happy with the choice of Steapa but it works well enough here.  My one casting disappointment is with the character Haesten.  He is totally the wrong type and he is much less interesting in the screen version than in the books.  His role in the books as a handsome and cunning oath breaker who is adept at playing the various Saxon and Viking leaders he meets for his own ends is missed.  Of course as Harry said before in this thread, films and books are very different mediums and one shouldn't get hung up on the differences.  Cornwell himself has said the same.  Still, as my wife noted, when you have a brilliant story, why muck it up with the screen play?  Fortunately, that doesn't happen here much and the only real regret I am left with is that there are not more episodes.  Ideally, I would have liked to see each Season expanded to more completely tell the story but what is here is indeed very well done.  Of course what this will do is make me go back and read the series again (for the third time) but that is hardly a bad outcome.  After this Season, I suggest that if you have any interest at all in the period or in historical novels in general, you really should see this series.  It is far superior to Vikings if just about every way (except perhaps the absence of Legathea).