Michael Wood on Beowulf - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 05-25-2009, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumil

Hi Davem,

thanks for flagging this up, was it really 30 years since 'In Search of the Dark Ages'?

Er... not quite - checking broadcast dates it seems it was 1981! I can remember the series so vividly though. The Athelstan episode had him flying over South Yorkhshire (where I was born) in a helicopter, looking for the site of Brunanburgh (he places it at Tinsley Forest). Really odd to hear places I'd grown up with getting a name-check on national TV -like 'Wath-on-Dearne' & 'Conisborough Castle' - with 'its magnificent Norman Keep' (which it really is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conisbrough_Castle - it actually inspired Sir Walter Scott to write Ivanhoe!)..but I digress. I'm looking forward to the programme - what with this & Channel 4's recent '!066: The Battle for Middle-earth' we seem to be getting spoiled....

Bêthberry · 05-25-2009, 02:08 PM

And just how are we on t'other side o' th' pond supposed to catch this? It doesn't strike me as bit torrent fair.

Rumil · 05-25-2009, 05:15 PM

Ah well, if you must go throwing tea into Boston harbour

And the ladies used to rather admire admire young Michael too (strange to think of an Ancient Historian heatthrob!), though don't know what he looks like these days.

Must say my fleeting memories of this series were that the Dark Ages were mostly overcast and windy, possibly with ominous clouds scudding across the lowering sky. Oh, and talk of Viking Blood Eagles etc, schoolboy-friendly gore! Don't rmember if Eomer the Assassin got a look in?

Bêthberry · 05-25-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumil

Ah well, if you must go throwing tea into Boston harbour

Ah, but some of us are north of the 49th and would never harbour such an uncivil thought about tea. Indeed, we live in a land which once upon a time has such an arrangement with the Beeb that the original Doctor Who was telecast here just days after there.

Rumil · 05-26-2009, 10:52 AM

Hi Bethberry,

oops, sorry to mix you up with the, erm, neighbours,

at least this fellow knows the value of a proper cuppa...

Cup of brown joy

Enjoy

davem · 05-28-2009, 11:55 PM

For those who missed it http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00kpv23 though if you're outside the UK it probably won't work (unless you are one of those tech savvy folk who know how to over-ride the geographical restrictions) - hey, we pay the licence fee, & we can't get Pandora over here........

Huscarl · 12-24-2009, 06:16 PM

Dave

Michael Wood's 'Beowulf' has since been repeated on UKtv in October again!

I have loved Anglo-Saxon history ever since his enigmatic series "In Search of ...the Dark Ages" (1979-81) which covered the lives and careers of;

Boudicca
Offa
Arthur
Alfred the Great
Athelstan
Erik Bloodaxe
Ethelred II the "Unready/Unræd"
William the 'Conqueror'

What made this fantastic series work was the incredible graphics, stirring theme music and Wood's obvious love for the topic, his personal dynamism and infectious enthusiasm! He bounded through the undergrowth with camera crew in tow!

Sadly, it has never been/never will be released on dvd/vhs, as Michael himself confirmed to me in a lovely email about a year ago.

05-25-2009, 02:08 PM	#2
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	And just how are we on t'other side o' th' pond supposed to catch this? It doesn't strike me as bit torrent fair. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

05-25-2009, 05:15 PM	#3
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 894	Tea v TV Ah well, if you must go throwing tea into Boston harbour And the ladies used to rather admire admire young Michael too (strange to think of an Ancient Historian heatthrob!), though don't know what he looks like these days. Must say my fleeting memories of this series were that the Dark Ages were mostly overcast and windy, possibly with ominous clouds scudding across the lowering sky. Oh, and talk of Viking Blood Eagles etc, schoolboy-friendly gore! Don't rmember if Eomer the Assassin got a look in? __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion

05-26-2009, 10:52 AM	#5
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 894	Tea time Hi Bethberry, oops, sorry to mix you up with the, erm, neighbours, at least this fellow knows the value of a proper cuppa... Cup of brown joy Enjoy __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion

05-28-2009, 11:55 PM	#6
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	For those who missed it http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00kpv23 though if you're outside the UK it probably won't work (unless you are one of those tech savvy folk who know how to over-ride the geographical restrictions) - hey, we pay the licence fee, & we can't get Pandora over here........ __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

12-24-2009, 06:16 PM	#7
Huscarl Newly Deceased Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ancient Deira Posts: 7	Dave Michael Wood's 'Beowulf' has since been repeated on UKtv in October again! I have loved Anglo-Saxon history ever since his enigmatic series "In Search of ...the Dark Ages" (1979-81) which covered the lives and careers of; Boudicca Offa Arthur Alfred the Great Athelstan Erik Bloodaxe Ethelred II the "Unready/Unræd" William the 'Conqueror' What made this fantastic series work was the incredible graphics, stirring theme music and Wood's obvious love for the topic, his personal dynamism and infectious enthusiasm! He bounded through the undergrowth with camera crew in tow! Sadly, it has never been/never will be released on dvd/vhs, as Michael himself confirmed to me in a lovely email about a year ago. __________________ "What does it profit a man... to gain the world but to lose his own soul?"