The Crimson Field (TV Series) Episode #1.1 (2014) User Reviews

Fantastic Story Line with New Perspectives of The War That Changed The World

[mumz · 9/10 · 5 May 2014]

The show opens with the arrival of three new Red Cross volunteers at a field hospital in France and it is very clear that they are not particularly welcomed. This sets the stage for development of acceptance, tolerance (barely, sometimes) or outright rejection of the assistance that these volunteers can provide. This air of disruption to an established field hospital was captured brilliantly by the script writer, who had to develop & back-story so many wonderfully talented actors. Each of the main actors were brilliant in their interpretation and presentation of their characters' initial prejudices that were directed towards the volunteers, setting the stage for any number of personality clashes and suspenseful moments. My particular favorites amongst the actors are Richard Rankin (Thomas Gillan) and (surprisingly to me) Oona Chaplain (Kitty Trevelyan). Fantastic job.

Promising premise, promising screen writing and promising acting

[Mandy_rtidwell730 · 10/10 · 4 May 2014]

I thoroughly enjoyed the premiere episode of The Crimson Field. It is an intriguing and refreshing premise to watch a show focused mainly on how women cope with the realities of a front line field hospital in WWI. It is a period deserving of special attention during this centenary year. It is also a period that has become more familiar to general viewers through Downton Abbey(Season 2) and The Crimson Field almost seems a logical progression from some of the events exposed in that drama.

I especially look forward to seeing the characters of The Crimson Field develop under the deft and expert writing of Sarah Phelps' scripts. There is also a lot of promise shown in not just the acting of the more well known cast members such as Hermione Norris and Kevin Doyle (Downton Abbey), but also in the performances of relative newcomers such as Oona Chaplin (Game of Thrones) and Richard Rankin. I predict sparks will be flying for the entire season.