Watch The Passing Bells

Set during World War I, The Passing Bells is a heart-warming, emotional and epic drama series that follows the lives of two young boys from Britain and Germany whose paths cross during the course of the war. The show explores the horrors of war, the intense emotions of young love, and the enduring power of friendship.

The first episode begins in 1914, marking the start of the First World War. We see Michael (played by Jack Lowden), a working-class lad from the UK, say goodbye to his family and make his way to basic training. Meanwhile, in Germany, a young boy named Friedhelm (played by Patrick Gibson) is preparing to leave his childhood home to join the army. The two boys have one thing in common - they are about to step into a world of violence and destruction that neither of them could have ever imagined.

As the story unfolds, we see how their lives continue to intertwine, as they experience the brutality of war on opposing sides. We see Michael fighting on the front line, feeling disillusioned and homesick, and coming to terms with the harsh reality of war. On the other hand, we see Friedhelm trying to survive the atrocities of the war, questioning the motives of the army and trying to find his place in the world.

The show does an excellent job of depicting the harsh reality of war, with gritty, realistic battle scenes that highlight the destruction and death that young soldiers had to endure. We see how soldiers on both sides of the conflict struggled to cope with the brutality of the war, and how the conflict affected the mental and emotional well-being of the soldiers.

However, amidst the chaos of war, the show also depicts the enduring power of friendship, as we see how Michael and Friedhelm's paths continue to cross, despite being on opposing sides. The bond they share is a testament to the fact that even amidst war and destruction, human connections still endure.

The show's character development is excellent, with both Michael and Friedhelm undergoing significant changes throughout the course of the war. We see Michael transform from a naive, idealistic young boy to a battle-hardened soldier who has seen too much death and destruction. On the other hand, we see Friedhelm grow from a timid, uncertain young boy to a resilient, strong-willed soldier who has found his place in the world.

Furthermore, the show's production values are top-notch, with fantastic cinematography and sound design that transports viewers back to the war-torn streets of Europe in the early 20th century. The attention to detail in the show is also impressive; from the historically accurate costumes to the authentic set design, viewers are fully immersed in the world of the story.

Overall, The Passing Bells is a must-watch for anyone interested in military history, human connection, and the power of friendship in times of war. It is a powerful, emotional and epic drama series that leaves a lasting impact on viewers.

The Passing Bells is a series that ran for 2014 seasons (10 episodes) between January 1, 1970 and on BBC One