Product Description

The stunning BBC TV production of the National Theatre of Scotland s urgently topical play. Hurtling from a pool room in Fife to an armoured wagon in Iraq, Black Watch is based on interviews conducted by Gregory Burke with former soldiers who served in Iraq. Viewed through the eyes of those on the ground, Black Watch reveals what it means to be part of the legendary Scottish regiment, what it means to be part of the war on terror and what it means to make the journey home again. John Tiffany s production makes powerful and inventive use of movement, music and song to create a visceral, complex and urgent piece of theatre. This is a show that brings together Scotland s military history and its proud tradition of popular, political theatre to address one of the thorniest issues of our time. This DVD also includes BBC Scotland s documentary Black Watch; A Soldiers Story which won a BAFTA Scotland Best Documentary Award. Gregory Burke recently won the Writer s Guild Award for Black Watch in the Best New Play category.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21270 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-10-06
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 154 minutes

Customer Reviews

Awesome- almost
I was lucky enough to see Black Watch performed live in Scotland and it left me - literally - speechless. The atmosphere of that production could never be fully captured - but this film comes an acceptably close second. The switch from Fife to Iraq and back is very cleverly done. You can't help but empathise with the soldiers and share their complete impotent rage at the almost criminally thoughtless decisions made by government officials who seemed to have no comprehension of the family loyalty these soldiers feel to their regiments and to their friends. The language takes some getting used to - but it is entirely in context. The play is a brilliant combination of black humour and deadly serious drama. If you know people who are members of the forces, buy it - it will give you some insight into what they and their friends experience. If you have any interest in what's going on in Iraq, buy it. If you like quality drama, buy it.
Saw the BBC documentary last year on TV - an excellent companion programme - a great bonus.

Incredible.
I never managed to see the stage show, so was looking forward to the DVD. I was not disappointed.
Incredibly well written, acted and choreographed the play completely grips you throughout. I defy anyone not to become emotionally involved while watching this. The National Theatre of Scotland have done themselves proud with this production, and the filming for TV has been handled well.
The accompanying documentary adds yet another dimension to the play by bringing in the real soldiers and families, with their experiences and views.
Truly not to be missed, this should be in every home in Britain.

Utterly Compelling
I never had a chance to see the stage show live so I was really glad to find that the DVD was available.

It has to be one of the most moving, traumatic and rewarding pieces of theatre I have ever seen. I lived, breathed, celebrated and grieved for these men during their close knit, claustrophobic tour of duty and ultimately tried, like them, to make sense of the situation that they had been thrust into.

This should be required viewing for all politicians...