The Last Kingdom (1 Viewer)

[Desertkiwi]

I had put this on the backburner but started watching season 2 last week.I watched episode 1 but last night i watched 7 episodes {eek3} to finish season 2 and will start season 3 today.No word on a season 4.This is pretty good but I still like Vikings a little better.
Mark

Agreed the Vikings series is excellent viewing, but the Last Kingdom series is based on the Bernard Cornwall books and follows the stories quite well.

I prefer the books myself, but think the TV series is very well done and well worth watching.

I remember the Sharpe TV series well too, which was also based upon Cornwall's books. I loved his books which introduced me to the amazing Napoleonic era.

Cornwall managers to compact a ton of history in his books which make them compelling reads.

 

[marco55]

I just watched the 6th episode of season 3 last night,very good so far.
Mark

 

[DMNamiot]

Like a lot of you I really am enjoying the show but the books are excellent and like desert kiwi mentioned they are jam packed with historical events. Hope that the show carries on in to that turbulent era that followed the death of Alfred.

Dave

 

[marco55]

Finished season 3 last night,very good IMO.Hoping for a season 4.
Mark

 

[Larry Allen]

Reading this thread has sparked me to try-out the "Last Kingdom" on Netflix … and I am glad I did.
Just got underway with the first 3 episodes and so far it is a series that I can't wait to watch the next episode.

Thanks Gents for the advice!

--- LaRRy

 

[zblang]

Larry, if you’re a reader, the books are great too

 

[BHogan]

Reading this thread has sparked me to try-out the "Last Kingdom" on Netflix … and I am glad I did.
Just got underway with the first 3 episodes and so far it is a series that I can't wait to watch the next episode.

Thanks Gents for the advice!

--- LaRRy

Enjoy!

 

[Larry Allen]

Larry, if you’re a reader, the books are great too

Evening, Zack … actually I am more of a reader than a movie watcher …. BUT …. after shoveling darn snow all day sometimes it is better to collapse on the couch and watch a Netflix movie.

I'll check for the books.
Right now I am reading the Patrick O'Brian series of British Navy (Napoleonic War era) books.
(Highly recommended if you are into seafaring adventures)

thanks,
--- LaRRy

 

[bradleyl30]

Evening, Zack … actually I am more of a reader than a movie watcher …. BUT …. after shoveling darn snow all day sometimes it is better to collapse on the couch and watch a Netflix movie.

I'll check for the books.
Right now I am reading the Patrick O'Brian series of British Navy (Napoleonic War era) books.
(Highly recommended if you are into seafaring adventures)

thanks,
--- LaRRy

I love Patrick O’Brian!

 

[Larry Allen]

I love Patrick O’Brian!

I also really enjoy the stories, the writing and the historical setting … (despite the fact I am not a Napoleonic era collector … ^&confuse)

[For those wondering] … There are 21 books in the JACK AUBREY / STEPHEN MATURIN series, but the last one he never finished. The stories center around Britain's war with Napoleon's France. Jack Aubrey is captain of the HMS Sophie while Stephen Maturin is the ship's surgeon and secret agent.

See this link if anyone is interested. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aubrey–Maturin_series

I also have three other Patrick O'Brian books from a different series, but have not read them yet.

ZACH .. I found that there are a lot of books on Amazon and Ebay for the LAST KINGDOM series. I'll hunt up the first couple and give it a try. It looks to be a long winter as we are now having our 6th snow storm since Thanksgiving. The good news is that it warms up in between and melts most of the ice and snow.


--- LaRRy

 

[Larry Allen]

Just finished the 3rd season, and I am anxiously awaiting the 4th to begin. It seems to be a Netflix top hit.
(They are in production now)

Fast paced, great acting and settings / scenes. Battle sequences are not for the feint of heart however not overly graphic.

I am not to knowledgeable about the 850's AD, but when I do a bit of research the story line seems to fit with the facts … in the most part.

It has made me ponder whether I want to collect some Vikings, Saxons figures …. :rolleyes2:

DESTINY IS ALL


--- LaRRy

 

[marco55]

Season 4 will be on Netflix starting April 26th.{bravo}}^&grin
Mark

 

[marco55]

Just watched 2 episodes.Very good,lots of action.The only thing is that I get confused with all those darn Anglo-Saxon names that start with A.^&grin^&grin
Mark

 

[marco55]

I hear they may be a 5th season.This is good news.{bravo}}
Mark

 

[marco55]

5th Season may be released in April 2021 but more likely in mid to late 2021.
Mark

 

[bradleyl30]

I haven’t been able to watch it after Alfred died. I find the actual story of Alfred, Edward and Aethelflaed is a better story on its own, and Cornwall has to take too much of their achievements to make his fictional ancestors the heroes.

I made the mistake of reading the actual history, and sort of like Braveheart and The Kingdom of Heaven, it makes the level of suspension of disbelief too high for me.

 

[jazzeum]

I haven’t been able to watch it after Alfred died. I find the actual story of Alfred, Edward and Aethelflaed is a better story on its own, and Cornwall has to take too much of their achievements to make his fictional ancestors the heroes.

I made the mistake of reading the actual history, and sort of like Braveheart and The Kingdom of Heaven, it makes the level of suspension of disbelief too high for me.

You have to look at these stories as 60% fiction, 40% accuracy and enjoy in that vein. Although English history was drummed into my head when I went to British schools when I lived in Uruguay and Trinidad, I found these kinds of shows to be useful because as new characters are introduced you can look them and the history up as the episodes progress. I find that’s the real value of these shows.

 

[Desertkiwi]

I haven’t been able to watch it after Alfred died. I find the actual story of Alfred, Edward and Aethelflaed is a better story on its own, and Cornwall has to take too much of their achievements to make his fictional ancestors the heroes.

I made the mistake of reading the actual history, and sort of like Braveheart and The Kingdom of Heaven, it makes the level of suspension of disbelief too high for me.

The TV series misses out heaps of details from Cornwell's books and really doesn't do his story telling credit IMO.

I still really enjoy the TV series, but you may prefer the books?

 

[larso]

Brisbane has been back in lockdown again of late, so I turned to Netflix and started this series. I'm really fascinated by the times and impressed with what Alfred achieved. I know the history but am not too upset by modest fictional twists.

My biggest problem with the series is the annoying impulsiveness of the main character. I'm five episodes in and he seems to do something incredibly stupid at least once an episode. People warn him or give good advice but he ignores them and creates huge problems for himself. That makes it hard for me to like him. One of the treats of Game of Thrones was watching people make mistakes and then see them suffer horrifically for them. I'm not 'buying' that with Last Kingdom though. Perhaps it's not written as well?

The sets and costumes are great. They've clearly spent decent money and everything looks good. Perhaps too many characters are just not likeable enough? Vikings had unpleasant characters too but they were more real - perhaps by comparison, I'm finding Lost Kingdom a bit cartoonish??

Anyway, I'll probably stop at this point. There's some other shows to try. One thing I really liked was the the twist at the Battle of Cynwit. Uthred sets the Viking ships on fire but you are then lead to believe he'll be abandoned. Yet the Saxon leader defies his weasel son's advice to leave, attacks and wins a great victory!

Historically I am astonished by what the Danes achieved. They were such a small country, yet were able to dominate England. Ironically I see they're playing a big soccer game on Thursday!

 

[marco55]

Final season starts tonight on Netflix.:salute::
Mark