1940s House
by Caroline Ross-Pirie
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DVD details
Actor: Ben Hymers, Kirstie Hymers, Lyn Hymers, Michael Hymers, Thomas HymersDirector: Caroline Ross-Pirie
Brand: PBS
Editor: Sheryl Sandler
Producer: Alex Graham
Producer: Simon Shaw
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 180 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-08-05
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: PBS (Direct)
DVD Reviews of 1940s House
DVD 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.
DVD Review: British Family During World War II
Summary: 4 Stars
I love the concept of putting modern families into other historical eras and I think the historians involved did an excellent job of accurately recreating British life during World War II. However, I must admit I did not find this series to be quite as compelling as "Frontier House".
For one thing it was impossible to match the emotional intensity that London families must have been experiencing during the real German bombings. Going out to the bomb shelters was really more of an inconvience for the Hymers. While British families in World War II were actually in fear of their lives.
Also this series lacked the drama created by the often turbulent social interactions of the three neighboring families involved in "Frontier House". I have to give the Hymers credit for sticking it out to the end. But I found the mother and daughter to be a bit on the whiny and complaining side at times. On the other hand, the two grandsons maintained a fun, positive attitude throughout and it was a pleasure to watch their zest for life and ability to adjust to a way of life without TV and Playstation. Really great kids!
I would still consider this recommended viewing. But just a notch below the quality and dramatic appeal of "Frontier House".
DVD 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 ....
DVD Review: The best program I have seen in years
Summary: 5 Stars
I received this DVD yesterday. When I put this program on to watch 'perhaps for an hour', I had no idea that I would be I caught up so completely in watching this 3+ hour adventure.
I have so many videos and enjoy watching many of them more than once. I would be hard pressed to pick my top 10. However, I can truthfully say that this is going to be one of my all time favorites...probably right at the top of my list. I have seen 2 of the other House programs...Manor House and Colonial House; but 1940's House is so much better than either of the others.
This 'real life family' showed me so much of what it was 'really like' to be a part of that time and place of England, during that horrible war. The family chosen for this task was truly doing everything they could to be faithful to their assignment. With the exception of the little boys who chose to share their schoolmate's non-wartime lunches, this family was doing all they could to follow the rules of this incredible task. Of course, the boys were young and feeling the hunger of the 'wartime rationing'.
I am so grateful that PBS continues to provide us with programs of such great quality and education value. I feel so blessed to have this wonderful and inspiring program as a part of my video collection. I can and will recommend it to you and my other friends.
DVD Review: Mrs. Miniver Meets Rosie the Riveter
Summary: 5 Stars
Another great entry to a fun series, 1940s House takes one extended family and puts them into an old fashioned house. A grandmother Kristie and her 40s enthusiast husband Ben bring their single mother daughter Lyn and her two sons Thomas and Michael enter a house where they will live the five years of WWII in the span of just over two months. Their experiences teach viewers about the clothing of the period, rationing, blackouts, amusement activities, bomb shelters, and women's roles through the everyday experiences of the family.
It is funny that Ben is the one who wanted to go on the show so badly, because he is hardly shown. Instead, the majority of the program focuses on the lives of the two women and their struggle to keep the family together. The two young boys are a delightful addition; they are absolutely adorable but also provide an intelligent commentary on the lives of children during the war.
The only complaint I have is that this series was so short. The four hours flew by and made me sad that it was all over.
Description of 1940s House
One modern family takes on the challenge of domestic life on Britain's home front in this recreation of a World War II household. This time-travel experiment covers the period from the outbreak of the war in 1939 to Victory Day in 1945, compressing the events of six wartime years into nine weeks. While the military threat is metaphorical, the privations are real and the pressure creates tensions nonexistent in modern society.General DVDs
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