nick-894

This is a beautiful piece of TV. I would not shell out on a 6-vol DVD if I thought otherwise. I saw it on BBC in 1960-61. But, looking at it 45 years on I feel it should be re-titled 'Victory in the Pacific' - I mean, there was some sort of war going on prior to Dec 41, and a lot of it at sea! OK, so the program makers did give that 25 minutes, but then gave Pearl Harbour another 25 minutes. And - those planes look a little like US planes with a 'rising sun'painted on. And one of those ships that blew up off Guadalcanal seems to be the same one that was hit by stukas 5 miles off Dover. He was also one of those that was hit off Anzio! That captain must be getting real sick! And all that underwater salvage work at Pearl Harbour gives the real impression that the fleet was salvaged (phrases such as 'raised from the deep'). Whatever the case, the Arizona wasn't one of them. For all this, it is beautiful TV. As history, may be 6/10. But, then for entertainment, watch the film. For accurate history, read the books!

Nick Baker, South Darenth, Kent UK

I recall this series on BBC-TV in 1958-59. I have a very vague memory of this series content (with a few exceptions) but I vividly recall the opening music and scene. Covered wagons are moving into the distance. I saw it in monochrome, and I think someone must have been using a strong red filter, since the sky is very dark with brilliant white cirrus cloud - rather after the style of Ansell Adams. I recall one episode of a family attempting to cross Death Valley. I think this was an episode called The Big Dry. Another involved trappers who have a feud and involved knife fights where both of the combatants fight while biting at the ends of the same piece of cloth. I think this is the one called Out from Texas, although, I am certain it was originally called Out from Taos. But whatever it was called, it happened that way..... moving west.

Winston Churchill - The Valiant Years ran on BBC TV from February 11th to August 5th 1961, in fact it was repeated while it was still running in its first broadcast. There was also a selection of repeats in 1965, after Churchill's death. What has stuck most of all in my mind is the theme music (composed by Richard Rogers) - not just the title theme, so much so that I searched for the LP and obtained it only recently. I also recall the commentary by Gary Merrill, which seemed to add impact to the image. Richard Burton was well cast as the voice of Churchill. I am surprised that there has never been any attempt to repeat not even one of that series - or perhaps put it on DVD. Some might say that the content is now dated, but that could be said of any history, and this was perhaps one of the best portrayals, if not the classic portrayal, of Churchill's war years. I am sure the content of the series would stand the test of time if given a chance.