Secret Army anyone?

Owen · 20-11-2007, 11:04 AM

Just started watching this.
UKTV History: Programmes: Secret Army

Unfortunately I keep expecting it to morph into 'Allo 'Allo.

Gotthard Heinrici · 20-11-2007, 11:21 AM

I remember being scared by the opening sequence and the theme tune when I were a little nipper!!!!

51highland · 20-11-2007, 11:54 AM

Remember watching it in the late 7o's when I was a big kid, with 2 kids of my own.

Harry Ree · 20-11-2007, 01:12 PM

Excellent programmes, based on the truth and reflecting the tremendous contribution to help given by the Belgium people to those of the Allied Forces who found themselves on the run.

Gage · 20-11-2007, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gotthard Heinrici

I remember being scared by the opening sequence and the theme tune when I were a little nipper!!!!

And me, very scary. Gave me nightmares when I was a young un'.

uksubs · 20-11-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owen D

Just started watching this.
UKTV History: Programmes: Secret Army

Unfortunately I keep expecting it to morph into 'Allo 'Allo.

I've got the box set on DVD

adamcotton · 17-01-2008, 03:43 PM

Hi all!

It's been ages since I posted anything on this site, as I've been somewhat preoccupied with work and other boring stuff (actually, I shouldn't complain: I quite like my job!), but have now finally found time to make a contribution to the forums again...

Anyway, I wonder how many of you, like me, have been watching the re-runs of all three series of that 70's hit "Secret Army" on UK TV History these last couple of months? I remember religously watching it with my parents every week when first aired between 1977-79, and it only seems to get better with age. All the characters are rounded, three dimensional human beings, not stereotypical caricatures of goodies and baddies, so that at times one even feels sympathy for the head of the Gestapo, for instance! However, I get the impression that the episodes have been heavily edited in places (probably to make way for the adverts while still keeping its runnning time to an hour, which was never an issue when originally shown on the BBC). So, that being said, does anyone out there own any of the series on DVD? If so, have you had a chance to compare the episodes with any of those currently being broadcast? If there are significant cuts, I'd probably make the investment and purchase the whole three series on DVD, so any information welcome....

Chees.

von Poop · 17-01-2008, 04:28 PM

A warm welcome back Adam.
It was mentioned on here fairly recently and as Harry Ree approved it's authenticity I thought I'd give it a go as it's a dim childhood memory for me.
Got to say from the few I've caught it's excellent.
Understated and enjoyable.

Cheers,
Adam.

Mark Hone · 17-01-2008, 06:13 PM

I must admit that although I used to watch it it wasn't one of my favourites. I found it difficult to suspend disbelief partly because it was very studio-bound with odd OB sequences (like much of the TV drama output of the time) and partly due to the fact that everyone spoke in English, with a variety of British and continental European accents. This became a problem when e.g. Ron Pemberton as a Belgian with a London accent was speaking to one of the fugitive British airmen. It was fashionably downbeat and leading characters were wont to be bumped off suddenly, one while he was walking down a flight of stairs. Of course it became the target for much of 'Allo Allo's' parody (the basic setup in the cafe was clearly modelled on Secret Army) and I suspect that it's difficult to watch SA today without thinking constantly of its comedy successor. As a teenage boy at the time it was originally shown I went right off the series when Jan Francis's character was killed off...

stevew · 17-01-2008, 06:33 PM

One of my favourites, remember watching it as a boy. First saw it re-shown about 10ish years ago on cable. Got the DVD's, I really enjoyed it. Purely for drama of the time I was (am) prepared to accept its shortcomings (accents, etc, etc).

I believe some (if not most) of the plots are based on true events.

As Mark mentioned 'Allo 'Allo, spot the people who appeared in both

Steve

20-11-2007, 11:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,459	Secret Army on UKTV History Just started watching this. UKTV History: Programmes: Secret Army Unfortunately I keep expecting it to morph into 'Allo 'Allo.

20-11-2007, 11:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
Gotthard Heinrici Pog mo thon Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 3,928	I remember being scared by the opening sequence and the theme tune when I were a little nipper!!!! __________________ *"The Eastern front is like a house of cards. If the front is broken through at one point all the rest will collapse."* - General Heinz Guderian

20-11-2007, 11:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
51highland Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ipswich Posts: 827	Remember watching it in the late 7o's when I was a big kid, with 2 kids of my own. __________________ 51 highland www.keep-em-moving.com Là á Bhlàir's math na Càirdean (Friends are good in the day of battle) Na diobair caraid's a charraid (Forsake not a friend in the fray) Cuimhnichibh na suinn nach maireann . Mairidh an cliu beo gu brath. (In memory of the Heroes who are no more. May their Fame live on forever)

20-11-2007, 01:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Harry Ree Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 634	Excellent programmes, based on the truth and reflecting the tremendous contribution to help given by the Belgium people to those of the Allied Forces who found themselves on the run. Last edited by Harry Ree; 20-11-2007 at 08:29 PM. Reason: Grammar

17-01-2008, 03:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
adamcotton Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Brighton, England Posts: 352	Secret Army anyone? Hi all! It's been ages since I posted anything on this site, as I've been somewhat preoccupied with work and other boring stuff (actually, I shouldn't complain: I quite like my job!), but have now finally found time to make a contribution to the forums again... Anyway, I wonder how many of you, like me, have been watching the re-runs of all three series of that 70's hit "Secret Army" on UK TV History these last couple of months? I remember religously watching it with my parents every week when first aired between 1977-79, and it only seems to get better with age. All the characters are rounded, three dimensional human beings, not stereotypical caricatures of goodies and baddies, so that at times one even feels sympathy for the head of the Gestapo, for instance! However, I get the impression that the episodes have been heavily edited in places (probably to make way for the adverts while still keeping its runnning time to an hour, which was never an issue when originally shown on the BBC). So, that being said, does anyone out there own any of the series on DVD? If so, have you had a chance to compare the episodes with any of those currently being broadcast? If there are significant cuts, I'd probably make the investment and purchase the whole three series on DVD, so any information welcome.... Chees. __________________ *Adam* *Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth* *And danced the skies on laughter silvered wings* *Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun split clouds -* *and done a hundred things* *You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air.* *Up, up the long, delerious, burning blue* *I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark or even eagle flew-* *And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod* *The high untrespassed sanctity of space,* *Put out my hand and touched the face of God.* - John Gillespie Magee, Jr. 1922-1941 Last edited by adamcotton; 17-01-2008 at 10:54 PM.

17-01-2008, 04:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
von Poop I Like Tanks Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perfidious Albion. Posts: 8,471	A warm welcome back Adam. It was mentioned on here fairly recently and as Harry Ree approved it's authenticity I thought I'd give it a go as it's a dim childhood memory for me. Got to say from the few I've caught it's excellent. Understated and enjoyable. Cheers, Adam. __________________ It's only the Internet.

17-01-2008, 06:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mark Hone Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bury, Lancashire, England Posts: 304	I must admit that although I used to watch it it wasn't one of my favourites. I found it difficult to suspend disbelief partly because it was very studio-bound with odd OB sequences (like much of the TV drama output of the time) and partly due to the fact that everyone spoke in English, with a variety of British and continental European accents. This became a problem when e.g. Ron Pemberton as a Belgian with a London accent was speaking to one of the fugitive British airmen. It was fashionably downbeat and leading characters were wont to be bumped off suddenly, one while he was walking down a flight of stairs. Of course it became the target for much of 'Allo Allo's' parody (the basic setup in the cafe was clearly modelled on Secret Army) and I suspect that it's difficult to watch SA today without thinking constantly of its comedy successor. As a teenage boy at the time it was originally shown I went right off the series when Jan Francis's character was killed off... __________________ In memory of Corporal Jack Hone (1923-2004), proud 14th Army 'Steelback'. Last edited by Mark Hone; 17-01-2008 at 06:17 PM.

17-01-2008, 06:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
stevew Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 245	One of my favourites, remember watching it as a boy. First saw it re-shown about 10ish years ago on cable. Got the DVD's, I really enjoyed it. Purely for drama of the time I was (am) prepared to accept its shortcomings (accents, etc, etc). I believe some (if not most) of the plots are based on true events. As Mark mentioned 'Allo 'Allo, spot the people who appeared in both Steve __________________ In memory of 1891923 Sgt Albert George Edward Mount RAFVR, 115 Squadron Bomber Command, whose Lancaster was shot down on 8th June 1944 over Montchauvet, Yvelines.

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