Things one thought could never be

[oursin]

I gather, from an article about forthcoming Danish TV drama, that one future series from Danish Broadcasting(doesn't say whether this will be shown in the UK) is '1864, a historical drama about Denmark's most bloody war with Germany'.

This is the conflict known, I am led to believe, as the Second Schleswig War.

Yes, it's about the Schleswig-Holstein question:

The British statesman Lord Palmerston is reported to have said: “Only three people... have ever really understood the Schleswig-Holstein business—the Prince Consort, who is dead—a German professor, who has gone mad—and I, who have forgotten all about it."

One is deeply intrigued as to how the necessary back story to the 1864 resort to military conflict is going to be dealt with. This could possibly be even worse than Act 1 Scene 1 of Henry V with its interminable scene-setting speeches about the Salic Law.

Photos from my visit to Schleswig in 2010

Comments

[mrissa]

Danish television keeps coming up with pitches that read like this:

"Dear Mrissa: We love you and want you to be happy. Best regards, Danish TV"

[kore]

I must admit during I.i. what I hear is the actors saying "WAH-wah-WAH-WAH" in best Charlie Brown cartoon style and I pick up the meaning from intonations and body language ("You're so young and kingly, your Majesty! You totally want to invade France and not take our money!" "Maybe I'll invade France....AND take your money." "Hold up, TENNIS BALLS" and then it's like people actually begin talking).

[antisoppist]

I remember having great trouble with an essay on the Schleswig-Holstein Question when studying Scandinavian history. I wish I'd known the Palmerston quote at the time. I might have found it reassuring.

[ethelmay.livejournal.com]

"Most bloody," eh? Was it also its most bold and resolute?

[kabal42]

Being Danish, I plan to either a) avoid this or b) approach with caution. Because our national(ist) identity is partly hung on this particular little peg… Yeah. Don't really want to go there. But it's partly based on a much lauded and well received book by a similarly well reputed historian, so there's hope it won't be utter nationalism!
Full disclosure: I'm less than fond of most of our local TV and film productions, so I'm not the best to go to if one is a fan ;)