"The Last Kingdom" Topic

Started watching this series last night,Saga players this is must see stuff. Great shieldwall scene,really enjoyed the first part!

I also thought the story was interesting and the battle was awesome.

I've read all but the last two books. The story line is indeed great. As was the production….But what was up with Saxons carrying rectangular shields?

I've just been scrabbling around in the TV listings going "how did I miss that"? And then I realised…

I'm used to waiting for American series to turn up in the UK weeks or months or years after they show in the US; but when a _BBC_ series shows on BBC America two weeks before it shows on any of the BBC's UK channels, the world is definitely coming to an end. You'll be getting Doctor Who before us next!

I had to have a quick think as well.

I thought it was far better than that "Sons of Executioner" business.

Rectangle shields were a bit odd, but probably so the viewer could see who was who (same for Mcfadden having the cheapest looking open faced helmet).

saltflats1929 has the right of it. TV viewers need a visual symbol to tell one side from the other.

Watched the 1st episode but having just read Empty Throne and Warriors of the Storm in the last 2 days I've had my fill of Uhtred for now.

I watched it. Meh. Didn't grab me. Neither did the book series.

For UK BBC2 Thursday 22 October 2015 at 9:00pm

I watched it with my daughter. Unlike a movie where you more or less automatically watch the first few minutes, TV allows one's mind to wander a bit. I found that I had to keep catching my daughter up with the plot (Whose this Uhtred? Who's Osbert, What do they mean multiple kingdoms? What's Northumbria? etc.). In retrospect, I would have added a voice-over prologue to connect the uninitiated non-reader to the historical context (like Galadriel in Jackson's Fellowship of the Ring). I liked it and so did the daughter once it settled into the action. I especially liked the daddy Ragnor scene (quite gruesome).

I too have read the books and I was happy that the series is following the book because it is an exciting read. I liked the way the clothing looked and evolving translation of the settlements to the modern place names. Having lived near some of them while in the service, it did cause a chuckle at some times.

Danielle and I liked it and I hope they turn all of the books into films if they keep the same standards that they did for this. The shield wall WAS impressive and there were hundreds of extras running around and acting the part. I liked the fact that except for longer hair, it was difficult to tell a Saxon from the Norsemen, something I suspect was very true in that age as well.

More like this, please!
Larry

UK First Episode tonight BBC2

Rectangular shields when European societies had been universally utilising round shields for at least 400 years? Christian symbols on pagan shields? A sizeable audience demographic would consist of history buffs I would imagine and these errors would just grate with it. The highly-successful 'Vikings' series managed to get it right and then it was a case of Vikings v Vikings so there really is no excuse this time around. The producers should have given their audience some credit. Apart from those major fubars, the show was great entertainment for me.

Was pretty good.

I thought it was really good. I don't think the shield thing is indicative of poor research, I read an article by the historical advisor and he said at the end of the day the producers have the last say, they care more about money than accuracy. I think they knew the shields were wrong but as it was going out to a very general audience (prime time terrestrial tv) they needed to show the difference between the two sides.

What Foxweasel says – unfortunately. I really like the books, saw some stills and was prepared to hate it. My wife wanted to watch it and permitted me to shout at the TV if necessary.I was surprised. It is close to the novels, exciting, pacey, well written and about as well acted as anything like this could possibly be.It captured the feel of the books very well. If only they had got the costumes and weapons right it would have been something really special. Its a shame that the Saxons have to look like Rus (including their stronghold) and the vikings perpetuate the fur-and-leather grunge stereotype.

I found it moderately amusing now that I have had time to watch it, but omg the furs. I half expected Uhtred to start muttering "Winter is coming!" at various points in the programme. I certainly enjoyed this more than my attempt to watch Game of Thrones though. Regarding the shields, I did wonder why they could not have given each side different coloured round shields. That would have jarred less than the rectangular shields they gave the Saxons. The other historical inaccuracies did not detract too much from it, so I am looking forward to the next episode now.

Watched the first, but won't be bothering with the rest. I like Cornwell's books (his Arthurian trilogy especially) but haven't read this series. I thought the shieldwall looked impressive but was struck by the lack of spears and the almost universal use of swords which to an extent I found odder than the Saxons being completely equipped with Rus style shields. Most of the main characters looked like they'd come straight out of a metal band (not a bad thing but this is supposed to be history) and a lot of the armour looked odd. And I think I've probably had my fill of the young warrior losing it all and fighting to claim it back how many times has this been done? One hour wasted but seven saved is how I look at it.

If people are looking for as much accuracy as possible then they should stick to watching documentaries, not historical dramas. However, saying that, and considering that virtually every historical documentary I've ever watched, from Ancient periods to modern day warfare, usually portrayed something incorrect, be it uniforms, weapons, personalities or whatever, I suggest people stop moaning, sit back and enjoy the story. Because that is what the Last Kingdom is, a story set in an historical background. And there are certainly not enough period dramas around that do not involve tanks, machine guns etc, so it should be seen as a welcome addition to anyone's viewing. I'm enjoying it anyway, square shields or not.

Been thinking about the shields. It probably would have been more realistic and periodic if you couldn't tell who was who, but as with the Napoleonic period dramas, you had units on both sides wearing the same colour uniforms. Eg: French in blue, Prussians in blue, etc. That is fine for those who study and play the period, so would be able to tell right off, but it might be a problem for the general viewing public who just wanted to watch a good story. But for this series, I suppose they could have painted different colours or symbols on the shields. Not very accurate perhaps, but better than having the wrong shaped shields or whatever. Just a thought anyway and I'm still enjoying the series.

Kit, weapons, armour seem uniformly hideously wrong …some nice performances though! Alfred is exactly as I pictured him in the books

It would have been a fairly simple matter to give both sides round shields and have the Saxons displaying Christian symbols and the Vikings pagan. Would even have added to the 'story'
Someone should tell the producers that the average IQ of their viewers is higher than their shoe size.

Still, a very enjoyable show and being a big fan of Mr. Cornwell I' ll keep watching it.

Now several episodes in the one thing that jars with me is the feeling that I'm not watching Saxon, but 12thC Anglo-French society…. I'm sure one of the Saxon semi-professional warrior types (thegn?) was wandering around in something that looked rather like a coat-of-plates over his mail. I'll keep watching, but its yet to spur me into making progress with the saxon and viking figures in my to-do pile.