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Ethel and Ernest

(38 Posts)
carerof123 Wed 28-Dec-16 20:58:34

How delightful this was. Raymond Brigg's parents led such a simple life but they were so endearing. This has to be a classic i the making. Did anyone else watch it?

rosesarered Thu 29-Dec-16 14:47:58

Didn't see it, so will watch it on catch up tv.My Grandparents had a shelter in their back garden, not sure which type but it had a curved metal roof, and we children were not allowed into it.1950's so no need to go into it! tchgrin

DaphneBroon Thu 29-Dec-16 16:58:59

Oh gosh tchsad
I have just finished watching this on iPlayer, how truly touching without being mawkish.
???
Nice touch when Raymond the child was evacuated and we see him drawing a snowman
Lovely film [tchsad

trisher Thu 29-Dec-16 17:16:37

Loved it! The bits about Raymond's hair were so funny, his mum crying the first time it was cut, and then telling him as he got older that it needed cutting and always offering him a comb, until he got a 'proper haircut' when he was called up. Funny and moving.

Alima Sat 31-Dec-16 08:39:25

What a wonderful programme, easily the best viewing over Christmas. A beautiful lasting memory of his parents, reminded me of stories I have heard of my grandparents. Was life so much more uncomplicated then, apart from the wars of course.

Lona Sat 31-Dec-16 10:38:11

I loved this, it was sad and funny and nostalgic. There was one bit though that I thought was odd. The neighbour (male) who complained that his wife was too demanding because she was "on the change". Then he asked if Ernest wanted to help him out! It seemed unrelated somehow, and just odd.

Jane10 Sat 31-Dec-16 10:58:46

I entirely agree with all previous comments. What a wonderful tribute to his parents and such a slice of immediately recognisable social history. Its good to think that it was financed and made. Maybe somewhere there are enlightened people in the world of commissioning who know that not everyone wants to see whiz bang cartoons set in a dystopian future!!

Beammeupscottie Sat 31-Dec-16 11:34:30

My OH was touched by it (and he is not sentimental) as it so mirrored his own life and that of his parents - working class, one son of late marriage (for the time) who gets to grammar school and becomes successful. Very moving and a joy to watch an adult cartoon.

Maggiemaybe Sat 31-Dec-16 11:46:08

I thought it was beautifully made and a wonderful tribute to RB's parents. Most of it was very uplifting and a joy to watch. But it left me feeling very down. The ending was just so sad - mum dying with everyone staring at the TV facing away from her at the bottom of the bed, then lying in the morgue with "the Vim by her head", dad trying to make the best of his solitary life afterwards, Raymond and his silent schizophrenic wife (who died a few months later) standing sadly by the tree. I suppose it's the memento mori that's got to me!

Maggiemaybe Sat 31-Dec-16 11:51:43

And I'm usually a glass half full person, or preferably, full to the brim wine wine. I think I need a quick shot of my recorded Charlie Brooker's 2016 round up to bring me round.

Ana Sat 31-Dec-16 12:22:38

Oh you'll enjoy that, Maggiemaybe! (and he wasn't as rabidly left-wing as he usually is...)

Maggiemaybe Sat 31-Dec-16 20:15:34

I did enjoy it, Ana, very much! He really did a good job of building up to some of the punch lines this year. I feel I'm back to my usual sunny self now grin

JoyBloggs Sat 31-Dec-16 23:26:46

Just got round to watching this, it was wonderful. It was so beautifully presented and the animation so brilliant nothing would have dragged me away! So refreshing.