This biographical drama unfolds through the eyes of Bert Middleton (a centurion survivor of World War 1). The series starts just prior to the war when he was a child in a small English town and portrays a very clear insight to that life and then beyond from the perspective of both rich and poor. It is honest to the point of soul destroying yet so real, humorous, empathetic and horrific that I cannot wait for the next showing. I predictably cry and smile in every show it is such an emotional drama, the best of BBC acting I have seen and most particularly Grace (Maxine Peake), I love her to bits and she is the woman and mother I would aspire to be. Suzie

Beautifully acted bleak reality of a poor village as The British Empire starts to wind down. The photography is wonderful with some of the scenes appearing to be black and white, which they are not. Typical of BBC, it's not always possible to hear what is being said but it will become clear when you view a second time. Mother Middleton is spectacular – they did make her red-haired! I really enjoyed her in "Silk", but this role is a triumph. The opening episode with our young Bert being punished for being left handed hits home for me – my own father forced me (not brutally thank heavens) to write with my right – it was a different time. Bert's way of making money by entertaining his village-mates is amazing and you instantly get the impression he is true leadership potential. His willingness to take what the teacher dishes out quickly makes him special - is he deliberately taunting his sadistic school master? The development of the characters is masterful, Moffat never tells all, but just enough that you eventually form your impression. The truth about The Lord of the Manor, the Vicar, Vicar's daughter, the Investigator, all become apparent in this first series, but nothing is crystal clear. I was struck by how close this mirrors so many societies where it's all too easy to make quick assumptions. The treatment of the immediate post-war de-mob situation might have been too gentle as perhaps was the treatment of the Spanish Flu epidemic. These were horrible times as returning soldiers discovered they were not needed anymore. Series 1 is probably the best I've seen from BBC, ever, but is not for the viewer who wants razz, colourful costumes and sparkling wit. There's a lot of "British understatement" here which makes it very real. I eagerly await the second series.

Now I've finished welling up, what can I say, I have absolutely loved this show and yes many might call it grim, grey, depressing etc etc. But I call it brilliant casting which lead on to brilliant acting out of a brilliant story and completed by brilliant direction and all done in a realistic setting and backdrop which wasn't ever going to a a pretty flowery village. It was as needed to be, a setting an feel which reflected the events and that period in time. We were war after all, and most who were poor before then started losing family members to a war they had no say in would make most people up North or any other place in the UK pretty depressed. I can't say enough good things about this show and for me its an easy 10/10

Yes I agree it's mournful, depressing, grim and harsh but that was the reality of life then. If your harvest failed your family could die, there was no public money, or other jobs to be had if you lived in a small remote community. In fact watching a drama which is so well executed, scripted (and stunningly filmed) reminds me of how fortunate we are today. It's also poignant to see the excitement of those enlisting to World War one, a very real honour at the time and what subsequently twisted into an unimaginable horror. How much has changed in 100 years, how well the BBC has done in creating another masterpiece series. A little perspective is a wonderful thing and I certainly recommend this series to those who have a penchant for social drama, as I do.