This England
- TV Mini Series
- 2022
- 52m
Drama following the events surrounding Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government in the face of the first wave of COVID-19.Drama following the events surrounding Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government in the face of the first wave of COVID-19.Drama following the events surrounding Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government in the face of the first wave of COVID-19.
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Summary
Reviewers say 'This England' is a compelling drama exploring the UK government's COVID-19 response, highlighting unpreparedness and healthcare impacts. Kenneth Branagh's Boris Johnson is acclaimed for accuracy and depth. Criticisms involve pacing, inaccuracies, and character portrayals. Some find it emotionally impactful and thought-provoking, while others criticize its focus and factual precision. The series is noted for its raw depiction of the pandemic's effects and political responses, with varied opinions on its overall effectiveness.
Featured reviews
This England is an excellent dramatic series, perhaps too close, that portrays a very difficult period of time not only for England but for the whole world, in which some governments were incompetent, they did not know how to face the pandemic.
Being honest I have to admit that I watched the series to see Kenneth Branagh work, it's fascinating how he gets the voice, the gestures, the physicality, he becomes Boris, but what makes his performance perfect is that he doesn't judge the character, he doesn't ridicules not condemns him, Branagh shows Boris for the viewer to judge. The rest of the cast and crew also do a great job. It's worth the time, sometimes a little hard to watch but it's important not to forget what happened and where everyone was.
Being honest I have to admit that I watched the series to see Kenneth Branagh work, it's fascinating how he gets the voice, the gestures, the physicality, he becomes Boris, but what makes his performance perfect is that he doesn't judge the character, he doesn't ridicules not condemns him, Branagh shows Boris for the viewer to judge. The rest of the cast and crew also do a great job. It's worth the time, sometimes a little hard to watch but it's important not to forget what happened and where everyone was.
This series is so raw it's hard to watch at times. I had to pinch myself that only 18 months ago we were in lockdown, stuck at home, despairing at panic buying and praying for a vaccine. This dramatization is extremely well acted, all the main players are well represented, and there is a superb portrayal of the behind-the-scenes pandemonium as the pandemic progresses. The episodes covering Care Homes are especially harrowing, as is the sense of despair in the NHS. The flaw I think is that we learn very little of the virus itself, the molecular biology, the cause, how it spread, vaccine development etc. Instead the focus is on suffering, loss and political ineptitude. So it's part of the picture but not all of it.
I was really looking forward to this, but my only criticism is that it didn't really know what it was trying to do.
It's a tough job to cover everything that happened because there was simply too much going on to fit into the time allowed, but no mention of Track&Trace and the PPE scandals was very odd to say the least.
Some judicious editing would have made this more engaging because we don't learn much from continually watching people walking around and saying hello to their colleagues.
All the bits about the dog (Dylan) should never have made it to the final cut.
6/10 because it's above average but nowhere near as insightful as it could have been.
It's a tough job to cover everything that happened because there was simply too much going on to fit into the time allowed, but no mention of Track&Trace and the PPE scandals was very odd to say the least.
Some judicious editing would have made this more engaging because we don't learn much from continually watching people walking around and saying hello to their colleagues.
All the bits about the dog (Dylan) should never have made it to the final cut.
6/10 because it's above average but nowhere near as insightful as it could have been.
If you've loved the portrayal of The Royals in 'The Crown' they you'll like this time capsule based on the rise and fall of the Conservative government from mid 2019 through 20/21 with the highs of Brexit and successfully leaving it 2020 but the onslaught of the dreaded 'COVID' its all very gripping as we all lived through it in real time and losing family to it so equally hard to see it unravel in a drama but then this based on life experiences of key events.
Kenneth Branagh as the infamous 'Boris Johnson' not only puts in a brilliant performance from his gravely voice and waddle but looks exactly like him with his doting wife and look alike Carrie.. From Rishi to Hancock, all putting in a great performance, brilliant!
Kenneth Branagh as the infamous 'Boris Johnson' not only puts in a brilliant performance from his gravely voice and waddle but looks exactly like him with his doting wife and look alike Carrie.. From Rishi to Hancock, all putting in a great performance, brilliant!
Absolutely heartbreaking and shocking account of real life events of no 10 and dealing with the outbreak of Covid-19 . Kenneth Brannagh was incredible as the mumbling eccentric Boris and the rest of the cast were absolutely brilliant too. Casting was amazing . The mix of humour and drama in at no 10 coupled with heartbreaking scenes was so good they nailed it !!!! I know how it feels, I was on ventilation fighting for life at that same time March 2020 exactly the time of the firstnational lockdown. Difficult to watch but it was incredible at the same time. Thanks goes to NHS. I can't believe the low rating by some ? Are people mad?
Did you know
- TriviaThe title of this series is not from Henry V, but from a speech made by John of Gaunt in Richard II.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Jeremy Vine: Episode #5.195 (2022)
- How many seasons does This England have?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- This Sceptered Isle
- Filming locations
- Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK(on location)
- Production companies
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