This well intentioned series surprises in some ways. After seeming cliched at first the characters surprise with some unexpectedly interesting stories that cover unfamiliar WW2 movie ground. The Polish point of view at the beginning of the war is interesting. The triangle between the pretty Manchester singer, the feisty Polish resistance fighter and the soldier translator caught in between is quite amusing. The best story is the initially nasty Mother of the guy and how she comes round to the working class Sean Bean and the Polish refugee boy. Some characters seem like forced inclusion for diversity. Like Helen Hunt's reporter concerns over euthanasia programmes and the gay doctor and his lover. Some "modern" themes of shell shock and doubt are portrayed here. No comic book super heroes here.
It takes some concentration to get used to the different characters but once you get them sorted out it's quite good.
Of the cast Leslie Manville stands out. The Polish actress who plays the resistance fighter is convincing and authentic. Jonah Hauer King looks like he comes straight from a WW2 poster.
The cast is fine but the directing could be more clear. Another fault is the Manchester accents of some of the cast are too thick to understand.
Surprisingly well made and engrossing.
