1940s House
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Movie Reviews of 1940s House
Movie Review: The Best of its Kind
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished watching this for the first time, and I really enjoyed it very much. My only previous exposure to a "House" documentary was the 1900's house, where a modern day family moves into a Victorian style "time machine" house and must carry on life in that milieu.
The difference between that show and this one are striking - mostly, because 1940's House had a decided purpose, which was to get through the British World War II. 1900's House had no other purpose than to simply experience the life and do the best they could. It didn't come across so well because of the enormous time and cultural differences. I felt that if that family had had a chance to warm up to the period, they may have done better. Also, I believe 1900 House was the first of its type, so the later shows have benefited from the lessons learned.
The Hymers were the perfect family to undergo this treatment. The Grandpa had always dreamed of living in this time period, and his wife, daughter, and two grandsons had excellent temperaments to go along with this. (Unlike 1900 House, where the oldest daughter basically quit about half way through with a thoroughly modern, although just as typical for the period, middle-class attitude about the whole thing.)
With 1940 House, you really feel like you're experiencing the war experience. This family's difficulties and trials perfectly underscore the unusual and trying events the actual participants of the time surely underwent. That's what makes this documentary work so well. Their efforts to overcome the difficulties of living under a war-time regimen portrayed so poignantly the realities of those who lived through those times.
All five members of this family could so easily have come from that time period. In fact, what struck me so powerfully was that, for all practical purposes, they SHOULD be living in that period. In fact, we all should: for all our modern conveniences, we are so vastly lacking in real substance and meaning in our lives. Its more than a shame or travesty, it's a great evil. A very hateful evil.
We can never go back. And which of us will ever face such circumstances as the Hymers, to let us see how much we waste? How little of our lives we truly live. How much real substance we routinely forfeit for the sake of the cheap and the immediate. (These computers be damned, yet.)
Though the Hymers never experienced any real threat of death or danger, they gave us a very real taste of the vitality and meaning of the times they recreated. I heard it said once that during the war, mental hospitals saw over 1/3 of all their patients voluntarily leave, due to the power of what was happening around them. People simply could not dwell upon themselves with all the momentous events taking place. Even this documentary references this statistic: during the war years, female suicides decreased by 50%. There was simply too much to do than feel sorry for one's self.
A part of me wants to make contact with the Hymers, to let them know how powerfully their experience affected me. I would like to encourage them to continue in the vein they established, and not let modern life ruin their lives.
Movie Review: Great viewing
Summary: 5 Stars
I've seen most of the House (and similar) productions. Frontier House, Edwardian Country House (also called Manor House), Outback House (Australian one), The Colony (another Australian one) and have really enjoyed them all. I was excited to find 1900 House (not watched yet) and this one, 1940s House, on Amazon and bought them on the premise of the living history angle and because I knew I'd like them. My husband and I started watching 1940s House and at first I was a little disappointed because it didn't look as good as the others, but at the end I had changed my tune and found myself having really enjoyed it. I looked forward to each episode because I learnt something new each time. I love learning the history of each period in these series'. The narration is what makes it all come together in my opinion because that's where the real story comes in. These people are literally (well almost) living through the history of that time. I am fascinated by that and also by how their modern day lives are changed due to their experiences. They did a catch up with the participants at the end, which was good.
My husband loves war movies and what not, and I've watched some with him, but this 1940's House was the first time I really got to see in living colour what it was like for the people left at home. Everyone thinks war was about the military, but there were civilians at home trying to get through each day too. They had to deal with so much, it's amazing really. I liked that this series showed the reality of war and what went on in a typical family.
As with all these types of series' - it's not history we're watching, it's modern day people attempting to live history, so there's always going to be broken rules, interesting attitudes and lives changed. It's interesting that's what it is! If you like living history, I reckon you'll like this one too.
Movie Review: Reality TV with a Point!
Summary: 5 Stars
The BBC knows how to do reality TV the right way. Their shows actually have a purpose and a point besides humiliating the participants or offending the audience. Imagine! Most of the "House" series (Frontier House, Manor House, etc.) have been highly interesting, entertaining, and informative and The 1940s House is at the top of the heap.
In this series, the Hymers family tries to live for nine weeks as if they were in London during World War II. They are given 1940s makeovers and move to a house that is era-perfect with no access to any modern conveniences. If that isn't enough, they live in a brilliantly simulated wartime environment. Their food is rationed, there are bomb scares at 3:00 in the morning, the father is taken out of the family for several weeks, and one of the women works in an airplane factory. They cope with 1940s awkward appliances and greasy makeup along with the loneliness, fear, and hunger associated with war.
The Hymers family is absolutely adorable. Some participants of other "house" projects have been flippant about their assignments, thereby lessening the impact. But the Hymers take it all very seriously and as a result, their experiences are extremely poignant for the viewer. The family is honest and likeable and the bond they share with each other is exceptional. Even in the worst of times, they never lose their sense of humor and they are perfect examples of the stoicism and hope that got England through those terrible years. It is a very moving experience for anyone, but especially for those of us born after WWII. It is humbling to see what those people had to endure and conquer.
Bravo! Keep 'em coming.
Movie Review: Words cannot express how brilliant this is
Summary: 5 Stars
Brilliant, utterly, utterly brilliant is the captivating story of this wonderful English family surviving a World War 2 re-enactment. Aside from some exhaustive attention to detail from the BBC which made it, right down to having a shop and shopkeeper all kitted out for the time period, what makes this far superior to all other reality TV re-enactments is the casting.
This family is underpinned by a wonderfully witty, acerbic, amusing, constantly bemused, vodka drinking, cigarette smoking modern-day gran. A woman who comes out with such fantastic hilarious one-liners, and such sorrow only moments later as she identifies with the era that she is re-creating, that she should be on the stage.
Her grandson, too, is wonderful with an eloquence belying his age as he describes with utter delight and exquisitely precise detail the food his mother now prepares.
The best part of the series is the last episode, as we find out what they missed most and how they've changed. And how, according to her grandson, "Gran went quite barking mad". Indeed, Gran now wants to now live in the 40s, much to her family's incredulousness.
My only small beef is a grating voiced PBS public service announcement cutting across the lovely music during the opening credits thanking everyone for their support. A better way to thank us would be to not ruin an otherwise beautiful piece of work which was already attempting to put us gracefully into the 1940s, only to have us rudely jolted back out. Idiots. Unbelievable.
Rant over. :) Bottom line: this is addictive viewing, and the very, very best of its genre. Don't even hestitate.
Movie Review: " BEST OF PBS REALITY "
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a faithful viewer of all PBS stations ( we have 3 ) and have viewed all the other reality shows , however, the "1940's house " is the very best .
The family was totally commited to doing this show right even when things became very hard and yet, didn't whine like many of the other shows participants comparing what home was to the ( time ) show they were in. I won't go into which were worse but, you can check them out and check the professional reviews as well as average viewers .....you decide. I've re-watched this show many times and now 60 years after 1940, the Brits still have what it takes to win a war aginst outside influences and fear , the worse thing of all .
That show was aired in 2000 , I can't help but wonder each time I replay it what the boys Ben & Thomas look like now and what they are doing 8 years later ? And wonder if their mom Kirsten ever re-married ?
Also, how Lynn and Thomas are doing, did he feel he got his wish even tho he wasn't in the show half the time ? I do wish PBS would follow up on the people who volunteer for these time travel shows, particularly the 1940 House ...The best of the lot . Wish I had their address I would sit down and write to them personally and hope they would answer those questions . These are people I would like to know unlike some of the other folks in PBS shows.
KUDOS PBS ....