The Year of the French

The series was trilingual.

Trilingual with Irish, French and English.

I cannot remember subtitles, but there must have been, because I understood the dialogue.

What I remember is the Irish and the French talking together in their own languages and understanding each other.

They required a translator to begin with but soon understood each other enough to only occasionally require a translator.

And the various ethnicities pronouncing "Ballina" differently.

Subtle and thoughtful use of language differences.

I too would part with hard-earned lucre for a copy of this series.

This really is history at it's best - even for the early 80's the production is awesome - and the total realism cannot be unestimated. A great representation of when the French sent a small army to County Mayo in 1798 to help Irish patriots free themselves of their English lords. Wonderfull characters and totally believable - like being back in Mayo in 1798 - fantastic. I still have a digitised VHS version of the series that I revisit every now and then (usually as soon as I play a scene I am hooked - its that absorbing and realistic) just wish they would get the issues with the DVD release resolved!

I thought that the production of the television drama 'the Year of the French' in 1982 was excellent and I have been searching everywhere to try and find a copy of it. My parents were in the production as extra's so it is of great sentimental value to me. I have searched everywhere so perhaps it was never put out on VHS?DVD? The period is of a lesser known era in Irish and British history so I feel that it should be released as it is of great interest. The 'Castlebar races' certainly gave the British a 'bloody nose' and it was sometime before the rebellion was put down. Many re-en-actors from the UK took part playing both French/British troops as they were already trained to fire cannons/muskets/drumming etc with the 'Sealed Knot' Society.

I first saw this on RTE Television back in '82 on first release. I saw a few episodes when Channel 4 (UK), ran it later in the year. I seem to remember at the time that it was a three party production involving FR3 France, Channel 4 UK, and RTE Ireland. It was indeed tri lingual with subtitles for the foreign dialog.

Though the series was quite popular at the time, and drew very good viewer ratings on RTE, it didn't get much approval from the critics. Citing poor editing, bad acting, historical inaccuracy's, amidst the criticisms. None of this though changes the fact that it remained popular with viewers. And of course being a period of Irish history that was not covered by popular media, it attracted all the more attention. And of course not forgetting the excellent soundtrack produced by The Chieftains & The RTE Concert Orchestra.

I have seen many posts on various forums from people looking for this title on DVD, but as far as I am aware, the reason why it hasn't thus far become available, is due to licensing issues between the three countries. So in the meantime, I guess we just wait until this has been resolved. I certainly for one will be looking forward to it's release on digital media of whichever format.

My late husband saw some or all of the series; alas, I saw none of it. However, he found a tape cassette produced in 1983 by Shanachie Records Corp., The Chieftains: The Year of the French© 5Shan-79036 (1 Hollywood Ave., Dalebrook Park, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423), which we have listened to so frequently, especially while traveling, that it's a wonder it still plays flawlessly. There are some vocals, background tavern noise, and the compelling beat of the theme song. It is also copyrighted by Paddy Maloney in the original recording: Radio Telefis Eirann, 1982.

We acquired many albums by The Chieftains; this is one of my favorites -- and I never saw the show!