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Journey's End

A BBC Radio 4 drama

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Journey's End

By: R C Sherriff
Narrated by: Derek Seaton, Garard Green, Martin Jarvis, full cast
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About this listen

Journey's End is an unflinching vision of life in the tranches towards the end of the First World War.

The play opens in a dugout in the trenches in France. Raleigh, a new 18-year-old officer fresh out of school, joins the besieged company of his friend and hero Stanhope. But when he arrives in the trenches, he finds Stanhope dramatically changed.

This vintage BBC radio production from 1970 stars Martin Jarvis as Captain Stanhope.

Bonus content: This BBC radio release includes The Man From Esher and his Theatre of War, a 30-minute documentary about R C Sherriff and the story behind Journey’s End.

Journey's End was an instant stage success in 1928 (starring Laurence Olivier) and remains a remarkable anti-war classic, regularly revived in theatres. A film was released in February 2018, starring Sam Claflin (Hunger Games, Me Before You) as Stanhope and Asa Butterfield (Hugo) as Raleigh, along with Paul Bettany, Toby Jones and Tom Sturridge.

Cast:
Captain Stanhope...Martin Jarvis
Osborne...Garard Green
Raleigh...Derek Seaton
Trotter...Kevin Brennan
Hibbert/Private...Michael Harbour
Colonel...Richard Hurndall
Sergeant Major...John Bentley
Mason...Malcolm Hayes
Hardy...John Graham
German soldier...Patrick Tull

Adapted by Peter Watts.
Produced by Christopher Venning.

©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Drama & Plays European Military World Literature Solider Inspiring War

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The 'chapters' do not correlate to the Acts in the play, so if reading along with the script it can be difficult to find the right place to pick up (if you'd not followed from the beginning). But, a good performance and entertaining overall.

Great performance but difficult to navigate scenes

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This powerful production about World War One is beyond doubt one of the best portrayals of the trenches. I have a diary belonging to my great great uncle Samuel aged 19 who was blown to bits on the Somme. The truth hurts. This is a powerful portrayal of emotions that only touches on what our men experienced mentally and physically on Hell on earth. There were so many mistakes made by those in command safe back in London, trying out war tactics never used before. So many men died and were maimed, many having their faces mutilated and losing body parts unnecessarily. it is heartbreaking and should never have happened nor the horror be forgotten.

POWERFUL TRUETH ABOUT WAR

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Journey’s End is one of the greatest plays about the Great War. Set from 18-21 July 1918, the play is about how officers coped with the stresses of trench warfare. The audience sees how the war shapes the personalities of the officers in different ways.

The play presents a contrast between officers who have spent years in the trenches and officers who have recently arrived. It also explores two concepts of family – the traditional concept and the family bond that develops between officers who spend so many hours together underground.

Generally, the dramatization is good. It is disappointing that there is no dramatization of the raid, and instead there are just sound effects of trench warfare which are so general as to give no indications as to what is happening. I think a better actor should have played Trotter.

One of the Greatest Plays about the Great War

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Youthful soldiers should sound young. Experienced soldiers should sound mature.

I’d wager the actors and director know nothing about conflict (except in the green room).

This is the BBC breakfast news telling one of the defining stories of a generation.

Get the right voices.....

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