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TV, radio, film, Arts

The Bletchley Circle

(37 Posts)
tanith Thu 06-Sept-12 22:20:20

Just wonder if anyone else enjoyed this as much as I did? I thought it looked very 'of its time' and there was something about it I can't quite put my finger on but can't wait to see the next episode.

merlotgran Thu 06-Sept-12 22:24:38

Watching it now on +1. It's been a good telly night. smile

Anagram Thu 06-Sept-12 22:25:27

Loved it - different! One query though - in 1952 wouldn't even young women have worn hats when out in public?

Littlenellie Thu 06-Sept-12 22:41:52

I'm sure there is a book out of the same name it caught my eye as I love to read about the war years,am I right in thinking this about the girls that plotted the course of planes in the war..have been out tonight will watch on I player tomorrow.

NannaAnna Thu 06-Sept-12 22:43:59

I thought it was excellent and am really looking forward to the next episode. I agree with you Tanith - can't put my finger on what it is, but it definitely has 'something' going for it smile

tanith Thu 06-Sept-12 22:46:11

No Littlenellie its a fictional drama about 4 women who worked at Bletchley Park as codebreakers in WW2 , who get together again years later and use the skills they had to find a serial killer.
Great tv I thoroughly enjoyed it make sure to watch

Littlenellie Thu 06-Sept-12 22:53:16

Thanks Tanith am looking forward to watching it tomorrow.

tanith Thu 06-Sept-12 23:01:30

Its made me want to go visit Bletchley Park even more now , to see the museum and the Enigma machine etc, it looks very interesting and its only £10 and you can visit as many times in one year as you like...

merlotgran Thu 06-Sept-12 23:04:34

nellie, if you like reading about the war years, try Millions Like Us by Virginia Nicholson. It chronicles women's lives during the war and gives wonderful descriptions of the jobs they undertook. It also exposes the feeling of inadequacy they couldn't avoid when the men returned at the end of the war. I couldn't put it down.

Greatnan Thu 06-Sept-12 23:20:22

Very entertaining - just one slight quibble - people didn't say 'Take care' in those days.

merlotgran Thu 06-Sept-12 23:23:31

I don't think they referred to sex as 'screwing' either, Greatnan but I could be wrong.

Greatnan Thu 06-Sept-12 23:33:30

I think young writers often use anachronisms - more research would help.

Littlenellie Fri 07-Sept-12 08:39:29

Thanks merlot that is my favourite era in history,I love to read about the community spirit and pulling together and the bravery and stoicism of our country.xx

Ella46 Fri 07-Sept-12 08:46:44

I missed this, don't know how as there was nothing else on! I shall catch up later, it sounds good.

Grannyknot Fri 07-Sept-12 09:11:33

It was fantastic, DH and I both loved it, puzzles, murder, Bletchley Park. Brilliant, can't wait for next one. I have to stop myself from getting upset though at how women were treated back then. Reminds me a bit of my mum who would 'sit adoringly at the feet of the man she loved'. Took me years to get over that role model, bless her.

Lilygran Fri 07-Sept-12 09:44:05

Really enjoyed it. Good idea, very good acting, good characters. Yes, the dialogue is quite often 'off' but spotting the anachronisms is an additional pleasure! Why do the men who wear hats (not counting uniform) in these 1950s dramas always keep them on indoors?

merlotgran Fri 07-Sept-12 19:33:00

We also enjoyed, Wartime Farm, Lilygran which was on earlier. I loved both Victorian and Edwardian Farm and this one looks promising.

Nelliemoser Fri 07-Sept-12 19:58:30

Its very good its not what I expected it to be as I didn't read the scenario past the Bletchley Circle title. All the early 1950s settings are entertaining. the idea that these very clever woman who had been doing important and challenging war work having to go back to being home makers and feeling rather bored is great. I like the deductive bits as well. A detective series with a twist and men in hats! Its hard to imagine now how formal things used to be..

Ella46 Fri 07-Sept-12 20:38:09

I've just finished watching BPark, but I wasn't keen and usually I love this sort of programme.
I thought it was just too unbelievable.

I enjoyed Wartime Farm merlot,and the previous 'Farms'. Those three really get stuck in to the hard work don't they?

NfkDumpling Sat 08-Sept-12 07:32:03

Bottoms! Been away and missed it! Which channel? Can I iplayer it?

Ella46 Sat 08-Sept-12 08:23:56

It was on ITV and yes I watched it on catch up or whatever.

gracesmum Sat 08-Sept-12 20:52:30

Just finished watching it on ITV player - and really enjoyed it despite the constant interruptions. The "hat" business annoys me as my father always used to wear a hat and would doff it to ladies as he passed, hold it in his hand until he was outside and if wearing it, raise it to give Mum a peck on the cheek. Directors need to do their homework or else ask me to heklp with the production values! I also think Susan would have been very unlikely to wear dark red nail polish, given her character as respectable perfect wife and mother! Does anybody else think she looks like Fred Flintstone's wife(is it Wilma)??

merlotgran Sat 08-Sept-12 20:55:21

Ha Ha, gracesmum. I won't be able to look at her without thinking of Wilma Flintstone now.

Anagram Sat 08-Sept-12 21:19:44

And I still think the women would have worn hats out of doors!

Lilygran Sat 08-Sept-12 21:37:40

Or scarves. All the heritage (old) documentaries they've had on recently show practically every woman with a headscarf in cold weather. Even in my youth (the 60s) we all wore headscarves to keep our beehives in order.