The narrow road to the deep north

[LeaAndDer]

Anyone watching? Bbc iPlayer. It’s very hard viewing and at times very sad. What those poor men had to endure at the hands of the Japanese.

I haven't watched the whole programme but the book does delve into why the brutality happened- because the Japanese and Korean guards were the product of a brutal society and the empire expected impossible progress on the railway with hardly any resources except the labour of the prisoners.
The novel is excellent.

Watched episode 1 - couldn’t hear a bloody word anyone was speaking, dialogue so mannered and unrealistic, timeline all over the shop. Too much like bloody hard work

I'm putting off watching because it's a fantastic book but the power is in the writing - we all know what happened over there so I'm not really up for just a screen version of the story - I'd want it to be a true artistic response, and from what I've seen this is not it.

What’s it about ?

Very poor dialogue in places which spoilt it for me.**

Agree with all the comments about the deplorable dialogue and overpowering music.
Also if you think it's brutal so far prepare yourselves for episode 4.

Very bad sound, but I’m impressed with the acting. I loved the book.

iPlayer is not offering me subtitles. I'm not sure I'll be able to continue without them.

I'm not sure I want to watch the WWII timeline, but I'm intrigued in the connection between the young and old Evans.

Are you watching from UK - I can't get subtitles - says theyre unavailable - so very annoying

It usually will show subtitles after been shown on bbc

but not before

Like someone else who commented - i now have subtitles from episode 2 - yay 👏

Episode3 no subtitles - rather irritating to say the least

I’m watching but finding it the hardest thing I’ve ever seen…. watched to episode 4 tonight and shockingly sad in so many ways. …..

I watched last night (episode 2) the over exposed filming is at bit annoying and it was also still a bit mumbling. I wonder why it’s 45 mins not an hour.

I recall the book was a good read so was interested in this but the lighting and sound is poor. I can't make my mind up about other aspects as I'm only 2 episodes in and wondering whether to stick with it. The scenes in Burma are a hard watch as is to be expected, a grim part of WW2 history to be sure.

Is the 45 mins length so they can sell it with room for ads in a 1 hour slot to other regions?

Stumbled upon episode 4 yesterday, was impressed, no issues with understanding the dialogue although I guess it was muted, but maybe it was appropriate to that episode as they are all sick and starving- except for the Japanese guards obviously who are able to yell as much as they like.

I thought it was really powerful, harrowing at times, so much so it was difficult to watch, and the love story deeply moving. I would recommend it.

I just finished it and loved it
episode 4 got me I must say
just brilliant story telling in 5 episodes

I was a little confused about the paper cutting - was that true or not? I think the book gives more info but want want to spoil it for anyone either

Can someone talk me through the timeline - the “present day” scenes must be in the 70’s / 80’s for the ages to be right - am I correct?

Oh and I think they’ve tinkered with the sound on the iplayer - episode 2 so much better!

Yes I think the later years are 80s

Thank you! They haven’t gone big on period detail (see Mix Tape for example) so I was doubting myself!

I abandoned the book as I couldn't get into it, and just abandoned this after two episodes. Can't hear what's being said, and subtitles not available. Don't people actually get paid to be sound engineers or whatever on these productions? Sadly another example of people who can't do their fecking job properly.

We found the second episode watched via iplayer was much better sound wise - really thought they may have tweaked it after people’s comments

enjoying this

agree, we have put the sound right up.