Danger UXB Box Set (Volumes 1-5) [VHS]
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VHS Movie Reviews of Danger UXB Box Set (Volumes 1-5) [VHS]
Movie Review: Great show and historically accurate too
Summary: 5 Stars
Reviewer freelancelot is right on the money - this was a great show when it came out in 1981 - and stands the test of time. A couple of weeks ago on the History Channel there was a show about the real British unexploded bomb squad - and it was like watching the series all over again! Every bomb type that was talked about - was used in Danger UXB. I remember the late great Alistair Cooke who used to introduce all the Masterpiece Theater shows and comment at the end of each show said upon conclusion of the final episode: he chose to read a remark made by Winston Churchill at the end of World War II. I can't remember the quote exactly - but Mr Churchill remarked that he had toured many units during the war and saw many grim faces. But the worst of these were the grim faces of the men of the unexploded bomb squad. Well said. As the current series "Band of Brothers" on HBO realistically defines an American fighting experience, Danger UXB defines a British one. Worth owning, not to be missed.Movie Review: A little known segment of British history
Summary: 5 Stars
Although Anthony Andrews is the main charecter of this series, it is the exceptional cast that makes this series both entertaining and worth watching time after time. The entire cast, whether they are seen throughout the series or just in one episode are all exceptional. This series is so well done that I got the feeling that I was right there seeing the bomb being dug out. From the moment newly minted LT Ash discovers that he is in a bomb disposal section and no it is not a voluntary organization to the final destruction of a defused bomb on the heaths outside London, one is captivated by the realism of the situations and the true to life depiction of the men and women. I was stationed in Berlin in the late 70s and Britsh and American bombs were still being dug out of the ground in that city. Seeing bomb disposal in action makes this series much more interesting. This is a series that does much to bring a little known or appreciated aspect of World War II to an audience in the country that never had to go through what the British did in World War II. It is well worth seeing over and over again.Movie Review: This is how excellent television could be...
Summary: 5 Stars
... if anyone cared about content.The British producers had a fine run of TV serial shows in the 70's and 80's and this is one of the best of a good lot. I have seen it (on video) several times and have not tired of its several excellences.
The atmosphere of wartime England is reproduced with uncanny accuracy, or so says my old Mum who was there (she cannot bear to watch this series because it is "too real"). Against this meticulously recreated background move a startlingly fine ensemble cast, with Anthony Andrews front and centre and at his best.
I rather like Andrews in general but consider this to be his best work. In Lt. Ash he has created one of those deathless characters of film and fiction, a character with its own life and reality. After a couple of viewings of UXB Ash and his fellow-players seemed personally known to me (and well-loved). Even after several viewings I still find the suspense gripping and the sorrows harrowing; this is a series that wears well.
Admittedly the casting and writing lean on timeless British social stereotypes; we have (of course) the hot-tempered, whingeing, nervous Welshman; the shady-entrepreneurial Cockney with little courage but a kindly heart; the upright Geordie, the stoic and efficient Midlands farmer, and so on... right down to the tarty wannabe-middle-class landlady's daughter, the dithering Vicar, the petty shopkeeper, the nicely horsy County aunt. Stereotypes all, yet somehow in this case loving stereotypes, a warm tribute to traditional Britishness and the way of life that the War ended for good -- celebrated here in the very moment of its destruction. Whether it's a video transfer problem or an intentional mannerism, the VHS copy has a warm sepia tone that (for me) subtly underscores the nostalgia.
The acting is first rate throughout, with the possible exception of Judy Geeson who seems sometimes a bit disconnected from her own dialogue. She improves with time, however, and rises to understated tragedy near the end. But the show is stolen by the men of Ash's company: their nattering, grumbling, quarrelsome, inspired dialogue and ensemble acting is what makes this a lasting gem. Splendid character parts come and go; there is scarcely a throwaway line or a background character in the whole show.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves to watch good actors at their best, or whose interest in the history of war goes beyond John Wayne in US propaganda flicks. Try "Land of Hope and Glory" for afters.
Movie Review: Brilliant Acting
Summary: 5 Stars
Danger UXB appeared during one of my periodic television boycotts and I missed its original viewing on PBS (also missed Brideshead Revisited so I first saw Anthony Andrews' acting abilities in this one). A current obsession with the London Blitz led me to buy what has to be one of the best of British television dramas. I've watched these episodes over and over again. It's not only historically interesting but well written and brilliantly acted, particularly Maurice Roeves in the role of Sergeant James. (Kenneth Cranham as Corporal Salt was also superb.) Of course, the bombs are the scene stealers, and they don't have to act at all. They just have to lie there in camera range, ticking or not, to captivate us. (The Herman in the sewer is the spookiest one.) By the second episode I had sorted out the "lads" in the section and really enjoyed watching the development of these very believable characters (except for Judy Geeson in some moments, particularly when she assumes the affected sidelong glances; however, she improved with every appearance). Characters and their relationships with each other are consistent but not necessarily predictable. Well, maybe Wilkins is the most predictable but I especially liked his contentious but affectionate relationship with the Baptist, although this is one relationship which doesn't have much of a chance to evolve--through no fault of the actors. After watching these episodes over and over, I've figured out all of the lines except one, which occurs in Episode 7, "Digging Out," where Salt has a mortal hangover and is doubly miserable with thoughts of his family in danger. The sapper from Wales ("Tiny" Powell), callously rides Salt. In turn Wilkins and Corporal Harrock jump on Powell for being oblivious. I can't figure out what Harrock says in that exchange. I've played it over and over but the accent is too much for me. If any fans can translate, please post. If you aren't a fan yet, and appreciate fine ensemble acting, buy UXB. You'll see what we're all raving about.Movie Review: One of the Best British Drama Series You've Never Seen!
Summary: 5 Stars
I swear, I've not met many people who have actually seen "Danger UXB." But those, maybe like me, who's whole family would wait with eager anticipation each week for the next episode to come on, speak so highly of it that you would think that it ranked with the classics "Upstairs Downstairs" and "The Jewel in the Crown.""Danger UXB!," they'd say. "That series is SO wonderful!! Don't you remember how you felt knowing that your favorite character whom you'd just spent three episodes growing to love might be taking the last step of defusing the Nazi's horrible invention of an 'unexploded bomb' where the fuse is designed to detonate as it is being removed and you don't know if that next moment will be their last!"
This series is like the video equivalent of a "page turner."