I am resurrecting this thread because I saw a very brief clip, amongst other new drama programmes the BBC is producing, last night on BBC 1. It is to be broadcast sometime this year on BBC 2. Those in the UK who are interested might want to keep an eye on this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/comingup/sinkingofthelaconia/ for updates to avoid possibly missing this programme.:up:

Nemo

Cool! Wish I could see it.:sunny:

should be interesting. I just watched the story today


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slBnJvsOhqo

I hope the ABC buys it and shows it soon after. Looks like it would be a good watch. Alan Bleasdale is a pretty good screenwriter as well.

Really looking forward to this.

I've literally JUST seen mention of this on the TV. The BBC was running one of their many "advertisements" for their own stuff just before the 10pm news with a montage of clips from various forthcoming dramas.

What jumps out at me from this but a scene of a u-boat with a deck full of people and boats in tow. I keep watching and sure enough there are civvies jumping from a burning ship and later still a scene of someone climbing the ladder in a violently rocking conning tower.

"The sinking of the Laconia" was one of the many dramas named at the end, so it's obviously going to be aired sometime soon :D

An interesting discussion on the legalities of the actions of both sides

http://www.uboat.net/forums/read.php...2568#msg-52568

"...until U-Boat Commander Werner Hartenstein (Duken) made a decision that went against the orders of Nazi High Command."

Unfortunately, it'll probably end up being crap, as is usual with WWII dramas, if the above is anything to go by. As has been pointed out Hartenstein's actions were in full accordance with the "nazi" high command.

Of course, i've no doubt that the BdU will be portrayed as goose-stepping card board cut-outs and the Allies all heroic to a man, with the decision to attack the U-boat being portrayed more as a "whoops...sorry 'bout that", rather than a calculated attack on an identified target that was laden with human cargo on a mercy mission. When the American pilot was ordered to attack U-156, the men giving that order knew exactly what they were asking him to do.

Wouldn't it be nice to, just once, have a WWII story that abandoned the usual handicapping cliches?

A further update on this. It is to be shown on BBC 2 during the week 1-7 January 2011. No specific time has yet been set. For more info see http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/2011/wk1/ .

Nemo

Any armament on a vessel nulls the protection of the red cross; attacking the submarines was not a war crime, but it was immoral.

The first episode has now been given a slot in BBC 2's schedule:

Thursday 6 January, 9.00-10.30pm.

No mention yet of when part two is to be shown.

Nemo

Will make a note of that...cheers.

Let's hope the ABC's deal with the BBC gets it shown over here soon.

For those who might be interested.
'The Sinking of the Laconia' is being shown on British TV, BBC2, as a two part drama. The first part is scheduled for transmission on Jan 6th 2011 from 2130hrs to 2230hrs GMT. I don't have details of the second part as yet.

Seasonal greetings to everyone.

Already posted in #41