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Grandpa’s Great Escape

43 replies

BikeRunSki · 01/01/2018 20:12

Just watched this with the DC (6, 9) Did anyone else on here see this?
I thought it was wonderful! The cast were superb, Grandpa (Tom Courtney) was fabulous.

Very sweet story too. We weren’t familiar with it (only have the older David Walliams books) and loved the story. The “moment” in the air hangar shortly before the “great escape” had me shedding a few tears.

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LineysRumBaba · 01/01/2018 20:14

I only caught the end but it looked great.

welshmist · 01/01/2018 20:15

Shed a few tears here. A wonderful drama..

PantPlot · 01/01/2018 20:16

Lovely stuff.

We loved the nostalgia (Quattro!) and were quite teary by the end.

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BikeRunSki · 01/01/2018 20:17

PantPlot DH and I cheered for the Quattro too!

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helensburgh · 01/01/2018 20:18

Was brilliant

missmapp · 01/01/2018 20:18

Watched it with the dcs. Ds2 loves all David Williams books and we,read great escape together earlier in the year. Lovely programme, really well done.

frazzled3ds · 01/01/2018 20:23

Very good. Got a bit weepy at the end, but it was beautifully done. The folks all clambering down a rope of knickers was brilliant!

Parmesanity · 01/01/2018 20:24

Loved it! DCs are 14 and 11 and loved it too, they've devoured and re-read dozens of times all DW's books over the years.

80s references brilliant, Quattro and blue parkers with fur trim! Was in tears when Grandpa's squadron marched into the funeral.

Itscurtainsforyou · 01/01/2018 20:24

I'm just watching the end with his squadron appearing and trying not to have a little cry.

Raisedbyguineapigs · 01/01/2018 20:28

I watched this and loved it. Got quite emotional too at the end. My DS got the book for Christmas last year, so had read it and loved the book. His Great Grandpa worked on the Spitfire, so we got to chat a bit about that too.

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BikeRunSki · 01/01/2018 20:31

We found it a good way of talking about dementia too. My dad, dg’s grandma both had it, although the dc didn’t know them.

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beyondthesky · 01/01/2018 20:31

I watched it alone because dc were too busy running around in other room.

I loved it and have recorded it to watch again with them.

cloudyweewee · 01/01/2018 20:38

I really enjoyed this (I have no DC but I wathced with DH!). I also had a little cry. I also loved The Boy in the Dress a couple of years back.

OutandIntoday · 01/01/2018 20:56

We loved it too - the music was fab - what i waa listening too when i was my dc age!

Petalflowers · 01/01/2018 21:17

Loved it. Sad, poignant, funny, heart-warming -lots of different emotions beautifully portrayed. Loved the 80s music and features, such as the names in the car. One of the best things on this Christmas.

BarrackerBarmer · 01/01/2018 21:23

Sat down excitedly with the children to watch it, since ds (7) had been reading it with his class at school.
I did NOT realise he hadn't reached the end of the book. Cue 30 solid minutes of heartbreakingly anguished tears and trauma. Devastated little boy.
Note to self: read book first before letting son watch David Walliams in future.

PantPlot · 01/01/2018 21:26

Aww bless him Barracker

It was the other way round here- my 10yo DS told me about the ending about two mins before. I was like, noooo SadBlush

CathyLB1 · 01/01/2018 21:51

Same here Barracker. My DD sobbed her heart out when Grandpa 'dissapeared'. Same happened when (gangster) Granny died of cancer.

I, on the other hand, spent the whole time trying to remember who the actor playing Grandpa was. Suddenly realised he was David's dad in Royal Family - perving over Barbara in the Christmas special when Denise cooks Christmas dinner 😀😀.

theliverpoolone · 01/01/2018 22:05

I was choked up within the first 5 minutes, with the boy trying so hard to support his Grandpa. Found the whole thing very emotional - both dd and I were very teary by the end.

Grandpa was Tom Courtney - he was on the One Show recently, talking about it, and how he suggested the boy actor as he'd recently worked with him in something else.

purpleme12 · 01/01/2018 22:18

What age is this aimed at?

frazzled3ds · 01/01/2018 22:35

It was particularly poignant for us - my Dad, the DS's grandpa died on 14th December, the funeral is this week, and although he didn't have dementia he had been poorly - he would often have tales of war time to tell (he was a child during WWII) and Mum and I found his national service discharge papers this week too...

My boys and I all got a bit tearful and shared a big hug together. I thought it was very clever how Walliams portrayed the young lad and the way he 'managed' Grandpa by tuning in to his wavelength and thinking, a good lesson in not dismissing people. The teacher woman redeemed herself at the end too - my kids were horrified that teachers could be like that! Bless.....

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BikeRunSki · 01/01/2018 22:36

Purple primary school age to early teens i’d say. I watched it with my 6 and 9 year olds, but the adults were equally as entranced.,

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PantPlot · 01/01/2018 22:37

frazzled sorry for the loss of your dad Flowers

elephantoverthehill · 01/01/2018 22:43

It was great. A few soggy tissues here.

frazzled3ds · 01/01/2018 23:02

Thank you Plant.

Yep I'd agree on ages - although my eldest is now 12 and has read the book in the last 12 months, and as an adult it had me hooked (as did Gangsta Granny a couple of years ago!) - my 7 year old wasn't all that fussed, but a late night last night may have had something to do with that. I think I need to raid the kids bookshelf and read the Walliams books!

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