Birdsong
 

Since the publication of Sebastian Faulks's World War One-era bestseller Birdsong in 1993, actors and film-makers have been falling over each other to bring a version to the screen. Such names as Joe Wright, Sam Mendes, Ralph Fiennes, Andrew Davies, Eva Green, Rupert Wyatt and Damian Lewis have been connected with a string of abortive efforts, but up to now a short-lived stage version directed by Trevor Nunn has been the only dramatisation to have seen the light of day.

All that changes when BBC One's new television adaptation, produced by Working Title Television, hits the small screen on Sunday 22 January. Scripted by Abi Morgan, the screenwriter du jour currently basking in accolades for The Iron Lady and Shame (and for Lovesong in the theatre), and directed by Philip Martin, the BBC Birdsong is in two 90-minute parts, filling the coveted Sunday night slot now vacated by Sherlock. It stars Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Wraysford, the young Englishman who embarks on a scandalous love affair with married Frenchwoman Isabelle Azaire (Clémence Poésy, of Harry Potter and In Bruges fame). The couple's intense relationship in dreamy pre-war Amiens is contrasted with the crushing horrors of trench warfare on the Somme, where Wraysford serves as an infantry officer in the British Army (pictured below). In fact the piece was shot in Hungary, which was apparently cheaper and easier than making it in France.

http://www.theartsdesk.com/tv/birdsong-arrives-bbc-one

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This should be great

Who watched this? :love:

..and who thinks Eddie is hot?

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Ohh I missed it, was it any good?

Damm, I meant to watch this, will have to try catch up. He looks hot Lee, yes ;)

Yeah, I loved it Matt. My OH fell asleep.. I don't think he enjoyed it much as he thought it was very slow.

Kate you should try and watch it before next weeks part... it is quite slow and there are parts where there is no dialogue, just smouldering, meaningful looks, which I rather liked :lovedup:

I watched it till 10pm but turned it over for CBB....It was good though...maybe I can catch the last 20 minutes on Iplayer

Oh the last half hour or so was the best Ammi! :)

Just watched part 1, it was great.

Part 2 is on BBC1 tonight

I can't wait! :amazed:

Why is Richard Madden gay in EVERYTHING?

Part 2 was boss anyway, a lot better than part 1. Would have been better if the lead wasn't the only one that survived though out of the main cast

2nd part was epic! Sad at bits though :(

gonna have to watch this if richard is gay in it :amazed: