Ashenden is a sumptuous and glossy BBC production that seems to have been left behind as just a name in our TV memories now. It had almost everything going for it... exotic and detailed production values, a stellar cast of British acting talent and a thoroughly interesting and important set of stories to tell...
John Ashendon is on the mend from a bout of TB (tuberculosis) and has been refused employment by the armed services. Determined to do his bit for Queen and country he becomes a spy, because, as he says... '...nobody would suspect a writer of comedy plays!'
This series of four stories is clearly aimed at people who went through the nightmare of the second world war. There's nothing here to draw in a younger audience at all. No 'action', no humour and no neatly tied up loose ends.
Unfortunately, despite the expense, detail and obvious affection that was thrown into this show, the acting is rather theatrical and wooden. There's an over-emphasis on body language that suits a stage play but looks rather melodramatic on a TV screen.
That said, this is still an enjoyable and captivating drama... if you have the patience for British television drama. It doesn't carry the gravitas of 'Foyle's War' but it does take its subject matter seriously.
John Ashendon is on the mend from a bout of TB (tuberculosis) and has been refused employment by the armed services. Determined to do his bit for Queen and country he becomes a spy, because, as he says... '...nobody would suspect a writer of comedy plays!'
This series of four stories is clearly aimed at people who went through the nightmare of the second world war. There's nothing here to draw in a younger audience at all. No 'action', no humour and no neatly tied up loose ends.
Unfortunately, despite the expense, detail and obvious affection that was thrown into this show, the acting is rather theatrical and wooden. There's an over-emphasis on body language that suits a stage play but looks rather melodramatic on a TV screen.
That said, this is still an enjoyable and captivating drama... if you have the patience for British television drama. It doesn't carry the gravitas of 'Foyle's War' but it does take its subject matter seriously.