We'll Meet Again

I loved this series and have watched it several times. A well made, well acted production which was very evocative of the WWII period. My favourite actor, Joris Stuyck, played M/Sgt Chuck Ericson. I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys a good romantic story. Beautifully filmed - it's such a pity there was no follow-up series.

I saw this TV show while I was doing overseas student teaching in the spring of 1982. There are 2 reasons why it has stuck with me - 1) it was really good, and 2) my uncle, in whose home I was staying while I taught in the UK, was the US military adviser for the show and his name appeared in the credits at the end of each episode!! I was so proud! His name was Lt. Col. Donald W. Brewer. He and my British-born Aunt Beryl's wartime romance was the real love story that was mirrored in the TV series. I have a full-page article/interview entitled "The real "We'll Meet Again"love story", from the newspaper they received at the time. It recounts the details of their whirlwind WWII romance and marriage and how it was that he was asked to read the script and give his opinion on the accuracy of the language, dress, and similar details of the US soldiers portrayed in the series.

I remember watching this first time around. I have always had a fascination with anything from World War II. Anyone watching this now will think it's a bit lame. but I loved it. The theme tune sets the scene (a big band playing 'We'll meet again'). It tells the story of a small market town being invaded by a US Air Force crew and the effect it has on their lives. Some bits are a bit naff but on the whole it's a good series. Just remember, it's 80's drama...nothing compared to Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, but a good representation of what life may have been like during the early part of the forties, when the yanks were 'over here, over paid and over sexed' as it was so delicately put :)

I liked the series. I have it on DVD & watch it from time to time. I agree some of the characters are a bit of a caricature and some of the American accents are appalling, but it's worth watching it just for Michael J Shannon who is completely believable as a USAF Major and the chemistry between his character Maj. Kiley and Dr Dereham.

In response to "jehaccess6"'s review - Susannah York was just over 40 when making this (not 50) - 3 or so years older than Michael J Shannon - and I think we're supposed to assume that Maj. Kiley was attracted to and by her character because she was more sophisticated, or perhaps more aloof, or just unavailable? I don't see him falling for her daughter who was frankly too young for him as well as the fact that she rather flung herself at him and followed him around like a lost puppy. We all go for the unattainable, don't we? Furthermore we can't help who we're attracted by can we?

Although the quality of the recording isn't brilliant, the series isn't dated because it's set in 1943.

I quite liked the addition of real footage of B-17s and airmen - gave it more authenticity.

Incidentally for those who are wondering, according to the book "We'll meet Again - the end of an era" which was a sort of sequel, Maj. Dereham dies so Helen marries Jim Kiley, they go to the USA and he becomes a politician, Vi & Chuck also go to the USA, have a couple of kids and Chuck becomes a dentist, Rosie Blair marries Peter Mundy & they take over the shop when Albert Mundy has a stroke, Hymie marries a friend of Rosie's and Lettie becomes a famous actress via rather dubious methods. Lettie's daughter grows up with the Mundys unaware who her real mother is.

As a TV series that is nearly twenty years old, "We'll Meet Again" should be looking a little rough around the edges now. It is, however, a timeless classic worthy of inclusion in anybody's collection.

The story describes the effect on a small British village when an American Bomber Division lands during World War Two.

The feeling of 'old England' is captured beautifully, not least in the fabulous portrayal of stalwart shop keeper Albert Mundy by Ray Smith.

The series is long, weighing in at 690 minutes, but is very compelling as you are absorbed into the intricate history of the residents of the village and their interaction with the 'Yanks'.

The success of this show was phenomenal when first aired in the UK, and its conclusion brought about a national press campaign for a sequel, which was eventually commissioned for serialisation by a UK National Paper.

If you were there the first time, then I strongly urge you to invest in the beautiful DVD set available only on region 1 DVD.

If you love romance, nostalgia, or B-17s then this is for you!