A Family at War

This is a terrific series of 52 episodes, following the Ashton family of Liverpool through the war years, 1938-1945. Writing and acting are superb, and you will be hooked from the first episode until the end. The entire series of "A Family at War" is now available on DVD. However, be sure your DVD player supports Region 2 (PAL) discs, as Region 1 (NTSC) machines will not be able to play them. You may wish to visit A Family at War (Fan Site) at www.baylor.edu/afamilyatwar. This site includes a complete episode guide, cast photos, a slide show with theme music, links to related sites, and information on how to join a discussion group (of which series creator and principal writer John Finch is a member).

I approached this British series made in the early 1970's with high expectations,hoping for similar excellence as the comparable series 'When The Boat Comes In' but alas these hopes were dashed almost from the start and never rose above pot boiler sensibilities. The almost complete confinement to the studio coupled with average writing,production values,and on the main fairly mundane acting made for a tedious and unexciting viewing experience. A few charismatic actors and dynamic direction would have helped and I kept imagining I was viewing episodes of The Thunderbirds but more wooden.

I saw these 50+ episodes re-run nightly in New York during the summer of 1975 or 1976. They were completely transporting, fabulous, deeply memorable. I've not seen them anywhere since - yet they are apparently not for sale.

In somewhat soap-operatic fashion, the story of two neighboring families in Liverpool during 1939-1945 brought home vividly the impact of the Second World War on an area of Britain.

This series was far more powerful and moving than Sopranos - because it better captures the details of daily life - and thus makes us believe its reality - and terrible tragedies. If you ever get the chance to entwine your life with this series, do it.

It makes one very much think about larger themes such as the impact of historical events on private lives. It's simply wonderful.

Starts of OK(apart from "Oxford" Phillips fanciful goings on in Spain). Thereafter thinks move at a pace.The most interesting battle in the series is between business-owner Sefton Briggs and his "donkey"brother-in-law, Edwin Ashton.Keeps the show alive actually.One or two appearances are rather "guesty"(eg Robert)And that little chap John George hardly ever gets fed,is never seen(one for the social welfare folk?) Moving to the second half-series 3 in particular.The whole yarn becomes rather "Mills & Boonish".Afraid I cannot tolerate the acting of passive-aggressive Sheila Ashton and her inadequate soiciopathic husband! I rather hoped a doodle-bug would get them....

I was 7 when this started, this was a time when there were only three channels in the UK, but, there was always something worth watching and this series was definitely one I remember the best. I fell in love with the theme music, it still remains one of my favourite pieces. I have vague memories of the storyline, but, I probably didn't understand all that went on. However, I have been able to watch it all over again on the channel 'Talking Pictures', which by the way is one of the best channels in the UK at the moment. I have been gripped from the very start. I hardly watch any modern dramas, even classic stories are being 'sexed up' or having very PC casting, most recently BBCs Howard's End having a black Mrs Bast, seriously? An acceptable interracial marriage in Edwardian Britain, almost as unrealistic as Jack having dinner with Rose's family in 'Titanic'. Anyway, I digress. I cannot recommend this and Talking Pictures as a channel highly enough. Happy memories of sitting around the TV as a family, no mobile phones or other distractions, just family time.