The Gallows Pole - BBC2 - starts 31 May 2023

[IwantToRetire]

I will probably hate this as it is a "modern" telling of an historical story, made by Shane Meadows (This is England) and compared to Peaky Blinders (groan).

But it may turn out to be really interesting!

Just posting in case anyone else might be interested.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001mg3k

Didn't like the swearing which is strange, considering I swear like a fucking trooper myself and the whole thing felt stilted and drawn out.

But am excited about the book, so thanks to all who recommend it!

I soldiered on and started episode 2 but I admit defeat - couldn't bear it! (And I managed all episodes of the recent Great Expectations). Such a pity because I love dramas set in this period but the dialogue was awkward and jarring - not sure if it comes under the heading of 'naturalistic' but the plot didn't progress in an interesting way. I do enjoy the opening credits and music, though, but it's all downhill from there!

I soldiered on and started episode 2 but I admit defeat - couldn't bear it! (And I managed all episodes of the recent Great Expectations).

Really! That is impressive.

I initially thought some of the posts were harsh on this thread - This is England actors, Shane Meadows, period drama, five star Guardian review. It sounded interesting. I stopped halfway through episode one and couldn't continue. If you closed your eyes it could have been a modern soap opera going by the dialogue.

I plodded on until halfway through Ep 2 too then gave up. It did not live up to its promise, for me.

The burial was very strange. How did he recover so quickly to carry the coffin? Why wasn't the dad buried in consecrated ground? Who digs a grave on a hillside??

I'm still not sure whether I enjoyed this or not to be honest. If they made a sequel I'd watch it to help me decide! It was definitely like olden days this is England.

One thing I found frustrating was they never really explained why he went to Birmingham in the first place . Like if I was grace I'd certainly be asking that. And also people asking where were you/didn't you get our letters? Well surely if they wrote to him they did know where he lived!

Just so dire. I saw the 5 star reviews and I read an interview with Michael Socha talking about how he had read the book, worked to change his body shape for the part, learnt the venacular of the time (such as saying quoit for coat). Deep research around customs and mannerisms to be authentic so was really looking forward to some great period story telling. And what do we get - huge long pauses, stilted, wooden acting, ridiculous modern haircuts. Really bad improvisation (perhaps SM's cast needed a lesson from Mike Leigh stalwarts) and modern idioms. Reminded me of the recent(ish) Lady Macbeth film starring Florence Pugh. It seemed to be an entirely different show to what the critics must have watched!

Watching this because DH is enjoying it and it's his turn to pick what we watch. It's like a mashup of Peaky Blinders, The Office and Happy Valley. But shit.

I'm feeling quite into it now actually

It was OK. I'll give the second episode a shot but I can't say it wow'ed me.

I didn't have any expectations but I honestly loved it! I can see that it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea but I loved the naturalistic style and found it hilarious in places. Hoped to come on here and find people who thought similar but maybe not!!

I didn't mind the swearing, but despite having grown up in Yorkshire, and turning the telly up to a silly high volume level, I found I couldn't hear or understand a lot of what was being said. DH fell asleep less than half-way through.

Will persevere, but not hopeful.

Same for me . Just didn't click

Improvised but so scrappy. I’m sure improv as a technique can be great, but this just seems so low energy.

Unlike most on this thread, I really enjoyed this, just finished watching the 3 episodes. It was fresh and fun. It doesn’t bother me they use modern language as the language used then would have been modern to their ears. I also really liked the relationship between the lead and the actress who was in Downton. Their conversation outside the pub was funny.

The first three episodes totally appalling and an absolute TRAVESTY of a fabulous novel.

Doubtless Ben will have been involved but my God it was the direst thing I have ever seen

It's supposed to be a prequel, not a retelling of the novel