How Lord of the Rings director brought colour to WW1 - BBC

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Watch the BBC first on iPlayer 👉 bbc.in/iPlayer... A behind the scenes look at how director Peter Jackson created his WWI documentary, They Shall Not Grow Old, using the latest techniques to colourise and restore archive footage.
WhatDoArtistsDoAllDay | Peter Jackson | BBC
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[@GrahamMasters87]

"one day, someone out there, is going to watch this documentary, and smile, and not realize they are smiling at their great grand father."

[@gordonilaoa1275]

Someone found their relative by watching this film.

[@jsullivan2112]

Who said that?

[@GrahamMasters87]

@@jsullivan2112 I did lol

[@Filmbuf-g2k]

My great grandfather and great great uncle both fought in ww1 .sadly my great great uncle was killed by gas in May 15 ....amazing to watch this and wonder if either of them are on the screen....and understand what they went through

[@meiser5198]

@@gordonilaoa1275 I believe it was a relative of Lance Corporal Charles Roland Cropley. He’s the guy laying on his back smiling at the camera at the Somme

[@EpicDonutDudeMemes]

These colors really brought these videos to life

[@kyivstuff]

EpicDonutDude It’s the speed that does it for me.

[@akseli_512]

@@kyivstuff yes, sometimes old films move fast in a weird way

[@KoeSeer]

I think it's the framerate. The old film has skipped frames that makes the actor looks less a human. This remaster makes them looks like a person and we can feel what they feel on the front.

[@toshirohitsugaya2352]

the voices and sounds effects were actually dubbed, no sound was taken from the actual footage.

Frame rate is what took away all the details from the original. And the funny thing is, those details were actually captured, but you just couldn't notice them before the speed was edited

[@oldfilmsandstuff4679]

Usually, colorisations of older 35mm film don't even use HD transfers so to see this kind of dedication and understanding of the format is truly admirable.

[@ClashBerry]

Yup, this looks like it'll be the best restored documentary out there

[@mmmbrunommm3]

@@ClashBerry The World at War was restored a few years ago, it's amazing.

[@Neojhun]

Modern Film scanners go far beyond HD not even video. It's BitMap frame grabs easily up to 4K resoloution. Done on non absurd attainable equipment like Black Magic Design Cintel Scanner 2. The technology has just become that accessible. www.dragonimage.com.au/blackmagic-design-cintel-scanner-2-with-35mm-gate.html

[@kazooku]

Could sb explain what it means?

[@GPH1403]

when i was kid, me and my dad were watching a WW1 documentary on TV and he said imagine seeing all of that in colour like they did. This whole thing is pretty profound.

[@themanmrbijok7364]

Did he get to watch it?

[@philippaine]

Peter Jackson's team have put colour to a hundred more hours of film held by the Imperial War Museum for future directors to produce some more films ....a generous touch by Jackson.

[@niiiiintendooo]

Who is Peter Jackson? Ooh... you mean the Lord of the rings director..? Silly me

[@Emanuela9]

@@niiiiintendooo 😆

[@Emanuela9]

Do you think they'll do WWII next? Two of my uncles fought in it and my mom and her sister were nurses attending to wounded soldiers.

[@burlhorse61]

@@Emanuela9 think i've seen coloured and B&W footage of the WWII.

[@BoUrnNe26]

@@Emanuela9 It's already been done more or less. Look up the series, WWII in HD.

[@OlafurArons]

Amazed that we have such an incredible and creative-minded person like Peter Jackson who's all in to put in the effort to make this remaster, a remasterpiece. There's no other word for it, really.

[@levity90]

Brilliant. How they recreated the sounds using authentic military weapons from the time is just astounding. I thought they would have been forced to use artificial sounds or those from modern weapons but the fact that we're hearing the way shells actually sounded is just amazing. And the guy trudging in the mud and loading/cocking (?) the rifle. Little details that add so much. Great job to everyone.

[@drakkonusfrostburn4038]

God bless everyone of you who took the time & effort to restore & modernize all of this footage.

[@Emanuela9]

Now on to WWII.

[@EchoLightEntertainment]

Emanuela9 WWIII

[@crawfb]

A brilliant and worthwhile achievement. The part where the film transitioned from black and white into colour and filled the whole screen was as heart stopping a moment as any modern thriller or action movie.

[@Heivang]

"How Sir Peter Jackson brought colour to WW1". He has a name BBC. It's Peter Jackson. And you can add a Sir to that. His name alone weighs enough that you should remember it by now.

[@clarkpelkey9248]

I mean not everyone knows who peter Jackson is but many people more know the lord of the rings so they’re just trying to get more clicks by putting something in the title everyone knows

[@SnowyHaze249]

Trygve, the BBC hates any form of British nationalism, pride in our national identity/ethnicity, ancestry. They are today run by a gaggle of internationalists and Marxists. They would rather an October revolution had taken place here too in 1917. Mostly today they churn out an unceasing tide of anti-British propaganda and teach kids our history was so terrible, our Empire, and we owe the world everything and have no right to anything, least of all pride, and of course that Islam is wonderful and noble.

[@-AmirulNaim]

scroll down for this

[@Emanuela9]

Don't forget The Hobbit, he also directed The Hobbit. 🎬

[@dojokonojo]

@@Emanuela9 No one wants to remember that Hobbit exists.

[@xcofcd]

I love everything about this project. What an amazing piece of history. In 100 years from now people will still watch this film.

[@dantemarotta356]

He brought them back to life, amazing film

[@sconchy7618]

Today is the 100 Anniversary of the end of the conflict that changed the world.

[@netneutrality5461]

@@Emanuela9 It may have given us Hitler, but it basically shaped our world today, without the great war, I highly doubt we'd be living the lives we are now

[@sconchy7618]

Hannah Ridgeway CHEERS 🍺

[@netneutrality5461]

Parental Guardian It’s better than what would’ve happened if we never had the world wars.

[@djcorvette8375]

A peace to end all peace

[@economicvase3986]

The War to (Not) End All Wars

[@insanity999]

A masterpiece of film restoration. The film was so engaging and enlightening. 90 minutes flew by in a moment. I hope to watch this again.

[@TwoHeadedDog]

Where did you watch it, if I may ask?

[@KalanaSW]

yeah where to see it?

[@leepettitt2079]

It was shown on BBC 2 on 11th November. I’m sure it will be on the BBC iplayer or some other online TV network. I will add that I thought it was easily the best program I have seen. The colourisation made it much more real, together with the sound effects and veterans narrating. It was spot on.

[@insanity999]

Two Headed Dog it was on BBC iPlayer for one week but now it’s off. It’s being shown in a number of local cinemas

[@xImageBreakerx]

I'm buying my ticket right now.

[@chuffpup]

This is what we want to see. The process is integral in understanding the end product. It's not "real" sound, color, or even 100% what was captured and preserved, but it has been "restored" so well, it puts you there.

[@jb_]

I watched this film last night. It was an incredibly immersive and moving piece of work. The highly detailed post production effort really pays-off, giving you a uniquely deep insight into some aspects of this harrowing war. Nice to get a peak into the process (on Click too). Hats-off to all involved in the production, much appreciated.

[@IronMan-qi3yg]

What is the film called please and where can it be seen?

[@jb_]

@@IronMan-qi3yg 'They Shall Not Grow Old' If you're in the UK it's on BBC iPlayer atm. Here's some more info: www.imdb.com/title/tt7905466/

[@Pinak1264]

I saw it last night as well, it was astonishing. Loved every bit of it, the detail on the artillery strikes were amazing to say the least.

[@9032004]

How can anyone dislike this film? thank you so much for this film, story and restoration. My Grandad was in this war and survived. I feel that much closer to him have seen this film and shared the experiences shown and shared by those narrators. You must be very proud. Thankyou

[@lightgrey5365]

love that hobbit dress code he's been keeping for 20 years

[@haddensorter8246]

I wanna be as relaxed as peter Jackson is in the first few seconds

[@swimmad456]

I was lucky enough to see They Shall not Grow Old at the cinema with a live sync to the London Film Theatre. Leaving aside the undoubted technical and artistic wizardry, the hundred or so minutes were beautifully compiled and arranged with the interweaving of veteran's recording. The work of a master film maker.

[@shazzylogo]

Went to see the film yesterday and found it incredibly powerful and brilliantly done..it's an absolute must watch..what an amazing achievement and contribution by Peter Jackson

[@theotherside931]

*I don't even want to imagine the amount of work that must have been put inside this.* *Would be damn near impossible to restore all WW1 footages.*

[@coolstorybrooooo7643]

He actually restored over 100 hours of footage to 24fps.

[@stephenmyler6902]

I was truly blown away by this documentary ,

[@IronMan-qi3yg]

What is this called please and where can it be found?

[@stephenmyler6902]

Dave Mustaine it was on bbc last week you’d probs be able to get it online , would highly recommend it

[@IronMan-qi3yg]

@@stephenmyler6902 yeah I've heard it's supposed to be really good and it's right up my street like. I've looked online and can't find it anywhere unfortunately 😕

[@alexnye5128]

@@IronMan-qi3yg out on dvd soon

[@keldonlemon]

The dedication to the post production team is staggering. Cannot wait to see this

[@TheMonkeygoneape]

saw the documentary in theatres twice, and ended up ordering it from the imperial war museum directly on Blu Ray it was incredible

[@PsyphaX09]

Everything this man touches turns to gold. May you live forever Sir Peter Robert Jackson!

[@darvingramajo60]

Documentary directed by Peter Jackson is just enough. Just the name is good enough for me

[@MariTeabag-lf1ly]

My grandfather was in WW1 and my Father in WW2, the colour does make it much more real & the change of speed makes a difference too. Brilliant, well done.

[@casualobserver3145]

Excellent stuff! Since I was a little kid of about 10-11 years of age I’ve been fascinated by WWI & II. When Sir Peter said the soldiers didn’t “experience these events in B&W but in living color”, and that this was an attempt to bring some humanity back into these people so that they are no longer a B&W cliche.....he could not have stated it better! I’m absolutely blown away with the results! Thank you Sir Peter Jackson and team!

[@mjh5437]

I watched the whole movie "They Shall Not Grow Old" on BBC2 last night,it was wonderful.....the colourisation makes what those brave men (and boys,some were only 15) went through in the trenches and on the battlefield all the more real.,,,It would have been Hell but there were lots of smiles and good humour amongst the men too....Us Brits Are the masters of the sort of "Gallows Humour" necessary to get through such tough times...Thank you Peter Jackson,the film brought me to tears on more than one occasion.

[@MrJohnam123]

Truly a masterpiece, no other words for what Sir Peter Jackson and his team have managed to bring the WW1 to life. A whole generation who may have been forgotten about brought to life their lives and stories told to allow the current generation to learn about the horrors these young men will have gone through. A true film of remembrance. Simply amazing!

[@4seeableTV]

I like how he got 3 separate lip readers to independently figure out what the soldiers were saying, and then went with the majority opinion. Such attention to detail and authenticity.

[@andreasaltmark71]

Hope he does a similar documentary about ww2.

[@michelleg5109]

Peter Jackson is a Master. We are blessed with his talent

[@DAVIJJN]

I’m so glad there are still a lot of people who care about preserving history and there time and effort to tell their story in a different light.

[@qamarpasha2818]

is it worth the effort ? Yes it is .... coz the way we tell history is very boring and imagining every thing is not possible by today's fragile mind and these people are doing very great job even best of applause is not enough... and we can't do justice to their hard work just by the words coz the process is very pain enduring... that's all I have to say ... Peace ✌

[@mr.inmoy_n]

Sounds like mkbhd ☺️

[@aliveli-hq6zk]

"today's fragile mind" nice point. books are not enough. they dont read anyways. you have to show to keep their attention. fokin idiots. 10000 casualties is just a number for them.

[@kymmzej9173]

This is why Peter Jackson is one of my all time favorite directors. His level of visual storytelling is unmatched by today's lazy film directors and writers who only seem to go for the cliche action packed glimmering cinematic moments rather than building a believable world with relatable characters. He also pays very close attention to detail.

[@schalz9209]

I got a stroke reading this but i agree

[@ANT96-x8d]

I wonder if there will ever be a movie or tv show adaptation of Tolkien's final book,The Silmarillion.

[@nazirulsafwan6330]

i have never been this much hyped for any movie, the amount of technical edits they did to recreate the original raw data from that era, smoothing out the frame rate and making the movement seems fluid and expanding the scene with 3D but still using real assets taken from that era is just a total wet dream. not gonna lie.

[@caelidhg6261]

My Great Aunt Millie was a WW1 Army Nurse from IOWA. I had the great fortune to know her and have many pictures of her growing up. She sailed to France's Brest Harbor and I have photos she took of the peasants and the memorabilia. She had stories and I wish I had been old enough to pay more attention or have the tech to record her. She was born in 1882 and died in 1981.. at age 99. I have photos of her in her Army Nurse uniform.. just incredible I wish I had more footage and stories from that side.

[@EpicTeachingOfHistory]

Ultra impressionnant !

[@pwgearedturbofan2348]

I'm definitely buying this. Projects like this need to be supported so we can help prevent the loss of this knowledge and history. Plus it looks amazing.

[@bowen1704]

History is beyond important and it needs to be told and shared in every respectable way possible

[@Deathshuck]

This is really important work, because WW1 is shrouded with so much ignorance and misinformation.

[@robertscott1376]

Are you telling me there werent women with prosthetic arms on the frontlines

[@r.m.2598]

@@robertscott1376 Robot womens were in WW2.

[@economicvase3986]

If you were to make a movie about women in WW2 do one about Russian tank commanders and snipers or that British Women Squad.

[@BulletMagnetMan]

@@robertscott1376 Dude, that's BFV (WW2) not WW1; and no, there were no combatants in either war with prosthetic limbs afaik anyway.

[@Itisjustasaganow]

Germany did NOT started wwI

[@oneprizeonegoal]

It's enough to have this footage in colour. I was blown away they had audio with the footage in this era where silent movies were still the norm. A fitting tribute to all those young men who never saw home again

[@X3.X3]

It’s amazing seeing these videos in color, it changes your whole perspective

[@MrRatniProfiter]

This movie in brilliant masterpiece and made me cry. Peter Jackson gaved color, soul and life to this young boys who deservo all our respect. Thank you for that Sir.

[@erfgtdsfsdf6993]

Do we really have to call him "lord of the rings director"? I mean isnt he famous enough to be just called by his own name 'George Lucas'?

[@talhamuazzam]

?

[@zackwathen4091]

Peter Jackson you mean? George Lucas is Star Wars

[@mox-us8ml]

R\wooosh

[@Paneen6913]

@@zackwathen4091that was the joke

[@Franzibald_]

Haha

[@fankdaggot8961]

I respect this man so much. The importance of preserving this footage is beyond reason. I can legitimately hear kids these days talking about WW1 and WW2 and when they hear how different it was so many years ago they think it’s impossible that such a weird full scale war was possible back then. It’s important that we preserve this kind of footage so that these brave men will never be forgotten. Peter Jackson is a hero

[@maxrockatanski9422]

I hope Mr Jackson gets the highest awards possible for his, and his colleagues astounding effort. I am genuinely excited and will gladly spend my hard earned money to see his film. Thank you for something fresh and thought provoking.

[@Qbit2]

Just bought this ... as someone who likes colorizing old damaged black and white photos this is an amazing piece of work

[@michaelfan86]

Cannot wait to see this new documentary. I’m very happy to see them trying to make this experience as authentic as possible. Probably no easy feat.

[@lucky88shp]

What an incredible project...this is amazing! I would sit through days of this kind of footage without rest!

[@jamieramone1998]

From his first movie 'Bad taste' to this. Man's got enviable talent. To any no/low budget wannabe directors out there, DONT give up. One day this could be you! 'Your mother ate my dog', has gotta be right up there with some of the best movie one liners ever (Brain dead). Although i didn't find his latest effort all that funny. Apart from chuckling at 'plank guy' and 'guy falls in ditch whilst looking at camera'' , I cried at parts. BEST war documentary EVER! More please, thankyou.

[@steakmeal74]

Brilliant job by all involved. The detail they went into is amazing! A beautiful tribute to all those hero’s

[@SamFerndz]

This is so fantastic, these videos really came to life now

[@pedroeiras9945]

Fantastic work! The end result looks fantastic and is a vastly needed improvement on some really important historic documents.

[@waitwhat2052]

Just watched this magnificent film. Clearly not just your ordinary WWI documentary, but an experience.

[@matthewbown1072]

Just watched this, it's unbelievable what Peter and his team have done.Amazing

[@helloworld-bu1vk]

I do not want to imagine how much effort was put into this. Great work. I hope it was worth it! I‘m going to watch it in a cinema 5 hours away from my home

[@codywright7932]

Saw this film today and unlike other war films, I was persuaded by the old restored footage depicting what war was like and not dramatizing it. Telling it the way it was

[@krisc2535]

What a true passion project. Stunning film.

[@VFXCommander]

Peter Jackson is one the few brilliant minds in this world. He's a legendary filmmaker. I just don't want him to stop making movies. He rarely do movies and every time he do one, that movie blows the box office!

[@BranBillington]

0:09 Sir Peter Jackson straight up gives it to the camera man on what he's supposed to do. Pointing to him saying "Pan around" LOL

[@stelley08]

What a fantastic movie... thanks for making it and all the hard work that went into it

[@thedr00]

I watched the film last night, it was a simultaneously mind-blowing and sickening experience. This film should win every technical Oscar going, it's a phenomenal experience, and a fantastic deployment of technology to create a genuinely thought-provoking film.

[@chewylord]

I saw the colored film separately. I thought this was acting, to come to my surprise it was just a lot of hard work in editing. Good job guys.

[@chrisa3289]

Great film. Amazing to see how much went behind it. Thanks!!!!!

[@rustledesign]

So good, the documentary was incredible. I would like to see something as good as that again.

[@searchanddiscover]

This is one of the few times I am excited for colorizing and adding sounds to something. Because I agree with Peter Jackson. I hope I get to see this.

[@TheEarthBelow]

Sick! Looking forward to watching this!

[@Salisbury2015]

Fantastic behind the scenes look. I can't wait to see this in the movies (hoping it comes to a theater near me).

[@djpetenice]

These men are wizards with the technology at their hands. I cheer and say Bravo to them. I'm really looking forward to seeing the film on Monday night. I can already tell it's going to be an very emotional experience.

[@11bravo1789]

Saw it today. Simply amazing. Absolutely a work of history that should be mandatory viewing in schools.

[@keredrellit3992]

I cannot wait to see this! Hands down the most important film to ever come out.

[@DunkCanzGaming]

nobody realizes just how legendary the opening scene for this video is. the demeanor, the tone, peter jackson is something else

[@MrAlamo1957]

Amazing film, Peter Jackson and his team have brought the Great War footage to a new level for anyone interested in the war this has to be essential viewing at times it feels like your there at the front.

[@DA11111111]

It was unreal,amazing best programme I've seen this year hands down.

[@rmr5184]

Wow! I'm genuinly impressed! Keep up the good work! I'm really looking forward to see the final result!

[@BulletMagnetMan]

I can't wait to see this. Such an amazing effort by all involved.

[@ThecrazyJH96]

SO CRAZY AWESOME! Brings back the realness. Doesn’t look fake and old anymore. You can see them as real people like how you see people in your daily lives.

[@michaelfawbert8773]

Amazing work, well done Peter Jackson and your team, found it amazing to watch.

[@leemcdaid6537]

It isn't the colour so much as getting a high frame rate that is bring these old films to life... absolutely brilliant stuff!

[@maryhamric]

What a treasure this film is. Thank you Peter J.

[@bepskekaatje424]

That is such an amount work, great respect for you. The final result is beautiful!

[@charlierosenthal1889]

I commend Peter Jackson for his contributions to film and now, history. I wish this came out 5 years ago. Better than never and I will love viewing this in theaters

[@briskthehusky9545]

They're making this film look so surreal! I honestly thought it was fake at one point but it's real footage of the war to end all wars

[@f.bayquineliseob.2084]

Giving life to a deadly chapter on our history. Very commendable. Hats off.

[@i-dislike-handles]

I watched this a few nights ago, wonderful restoration, I seriously hope this team does the same for other events like World War 2!

[@lugso3469]

Peter Jackson is one of the most effective directors. His thought process alone is enough to intrigue anyone!

[@ryancohenmusic]

Honored to see this tonight.

[@darthsidious8926]

we watched this in class and it really makes all the difference.

[@gordonsmoak]

I am so enthused by this project.

[@AbhiKohli]

If this painstaking restoration is not worth it, then there is absolutely not much in life that would be worth it. Would love to experience the WWI in colour ASAP. Thanks a ton, Peter!

[@grazryan]

This made me smile. Totally a different perspective.

[@Lord_Baphomet_]

This was an amazing documentary, it’s absolutely mesmerizing.

[@BenDover-nc4iq]

The sound is great! Everyone that's fired a gun before knows in a battle you wouldn't hear the clanking of a rifle bolt because your ears are ringing or just basically temporarily deaf from the incredibly loud noises of rifle and artillery.

[@Youtuber90sdude]

So much work. Respect

[@bonchance9241]

Thankyou to Peter & all the highly skilled men & women who brought our Great Uncles to life.

[@Tclans]

Very much looking forward to this piece of art

[@margaritap.narenpithak282]

Finally these men are immortalised. They would have died from our remembrance with the perishing of the films, if they had not been digitised like this. Thank you Peter Jackson!

[@THE-HammerMan]

Peter Jackson's team does a masterful, labor-intensive job on every level with this great work! Any bets on The Academy Of Arts & Sciences entirely snubbing this come Oscar time?

[@YanusDV]

when the film transitions to full size and color it gave me the chills