One is dead, and is mad, and I have quite forgotten

[nineveh_uk]

*Drum roll* BBC4 Saturday night once again brings us must-see Scandinavian programme, this time, costume drama.

1864! A year to echo down the ages. 1864! A year of blood and infamy, of heroism, of folly, of despair!

1864, the year of the Second Schleswig War!

*screeches to a halt*

Yes, it's an eight-part epic costume drama on the Schleswig-Holstein question, subject of about 15 minutes at A-level lo those many years ago. It stars the usual suspects of Danish TV, and has prompted dialect!fail wank on the internet. I can't wait.

Comments

[oursin]

I hope this comes with helpful maps and genealogical charts!

[naraht]

Oh my, I must remember to record this...

[antisoppist]

Ooh good thank you! Just in time to set the box, which hopefully isn't 95% full again.

Having done Scandinavian history at university, the Schleswig-Holstein Question occupied us for much more than 15 minutes. At least a weekend of tortured essay writing. I don't think Denmark ever managed to understand it. I can't imagine why they thought we could.

Barbara Flynn as Queen Victoria!

[parrot-knight.livejournal.com]

It starts back at the end of the earlier Prusso-Danish War, doesn't it? Lots of room for background and Danish and German nationalists debating over weeks...

[sonetka.livejournal.com]

Oh God, I would be ridiculously out of my depth trying to watch that. All I can remember about the Schleswig-Holstein question is that it existed (sort of like the Irish Question in 1066 And All That). Also that the Holstein is a very popular kind of cow. Still, glad the usual suspects of Danish TV are finding work!

[alitheapipkin.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the heads up on this, I rather enjoyed it :)

Although there is nothing like watching a continental drama to realise quite how illiberal our attitudes to sexuality on TV are in the UK - I cannot imagine a British historical drama ever showing underage boys wanking or cow-shagging... And given all the fuss over Poldark topless, I think all the nakedness might have caused a few heart attacks!

[sam-t.livejournal.com]

Oh bother, I'd forgotten that, and I may not get round to watching it on iPlayer for a while. If I miss the first episode, will I be hopelessly lost?

[buzzy-bee.livejournal.com]

I discovered recently that my grandmother's great grandmother was from Holstein.