Fire & Steam, How the Railways Transformed BritianA fascinating and lively account of how the railways changed Britain forever. Presented by Christian Wolmar - the country`s leading commentator on the railways - and based on his book of the same title, this new DVD includes dramatic location film from all over Britain: from the picturesque Settle-Carlisle line and the elegant Forth Bridge to the site of the world`s first railway station and London`s teeming commuter network. The railways changed people`s lives in every conceivable way. They could now take holidays by the seaside for the first time and travel across Britain for events like the Great Exhibition. Thanks to the railways, fish and chips became the national dish and league football the national game. Such dramatic changes are key to the story, which begins at the world`s first passenger railway, the Liverpool and Manchester, and concludes with the high-speed train on the Eurostar line in Kent. Enhanced by rare archive film and historic images, and boosted throughout by Christian Wolmar`s ebullient presentation, this DVD is essential viewing for anyone interested in the railways, or indeed the history of modern Britain.
D**N
I'LL GIVE IT FIVE
This is an excellent video adaptation of an excellent book by the same name. When reviewing the book I withheld the fifth star because I had been slightly disappointed at not finding more on the topic (dear to my own heart) of branch lines. There is even less about branch lines in the video, but a video has to make some excisions of secondary material or it will lose its focus, I recognise that, and in any case I don't want to be Scrooge in my marking at Christmas. 1st-Take are a Bristol-based company, their emphasis is largely on West Country topics, so I shall follow the example of a famous BBC radio panellist many years ago who used to say in a rich Somerset accent 'Oi'll give it foive.'If this notice finds any readers, perhaps I may refer them to my review of the book on this site rather than reprocess much of what that has to say here. The quality of the camera-work is admirable, some of the most overexposed beauty-spots such as Ribblehead are captured with real freshness and imagination, and Wolmar is a model of the enthusiastic but self-disciplined professional in his commentary.The choice of stills is a matter in which the video is obviously going to score over the book, and as a bonus there is a short extra section consisting of stills entirely. The parade of pictures is one that I found completely engrossing, and if I have any fault to find it is that Wolmar ends rather abruptly. I felt this slightly in the book as well, and coming reluctantly to the end of Wolmar's account I called across to the screen 'Oh go on, stick your neck out and risk a few predictions.'I shall have to make my own predictions or look elsewhere for them, but in the meantime this is in most ways a really first-class and professionally executed film, and if you can find a copy I recommend it.
M**T
Railway history at its best
A would reiterate my remarks as noted in Wolmer's take on the Underground. Well presented. Interesting and a must or anyone who wants a simple and broad history of the UK railway scene. However, once more the author has allowed his own political agenda to creep into the story. which is a shame. Whether he is right or wrong, objectivity is what we should be seeing and hearing. But it is good nevertheless.
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