Home Fires (2015–2016) User Reviews (48)

Wonderful! Authentic & Brilliantly acted - and yet another superb show canceled... why if you please?

[fourwinds4 · 9/10 · 17 June 2017]

This kept popping up for me to view and at first I did not watch as I wasn't sure I would enjoy the setting... war time. But the appeal of watching two extraordinary actresses : Francesca Annis and Samantha Bond.. drew me in in the end. So glad I watched. I felt the first episode had to take time to set the stage and the characters and from there it just got better and better.

I can remember my Mother talking about the second world war and what the women did in particular during that time. I feel as though this series really captured the essence of the strength of the women and the strength of people, women and men, when outside threats bring a community together. I loved how the small arguments between the WI members at the beginning fall away into respect and friendship as the months continued.

Of course Francesca Annis and Samantha Bond are outstanding but so are the rest of the cast, women and men alike. Claire Rushbrook, with whom I am not familiar as I have lived in the US for many years, is absolutely outstanding in the role of Pat Simms. As for Mark Bazeley as Bob, her cruel & vindictive husband, he's terrific, I just wanted to punch him!

The authenticity of the locations, sets, clothing, make up etc is first class and it must be quite hard to achieve that.. we are talking about a time which is now 80 years ago.

Like other reviewers, I am dismayed that ITV canceled it. I recall the same reaction when BBC canceled 'Merlin" ... even though Merlin had more viewers than Home Fires. It seems that viewing figures of 5 - 6 million is not enough to constitute keeping a show going. I wonder what the other long running dramas get ? I simply refuse to believe that more than 50% of the general public want to watch the boring, CGI, violent, blood spattering, badly acted rubbish that is in most shows nowadays. That stuff is being marketed consistently and yet it is these shows, portraying a time when communication between men and women and people in general was gentler, more respectful and shows humanity that many people want to see.

Thank you to the producers, director, cast and production crew for making such an authentic and engaging show.

I hope that some other production company will have the courage to take this up and continue the story. Amazon, Netflix, Hulu... are you listening?

Brilliant Wartime Drama

[studymommy · 9/10 · 4 November 2017]

Series one took a little while to warm up but was very enjoyable to watch.

Series two deserves 10/10. It had me completely hooked which is why I'm completely devastated to hear that the show was then axed. WHYYYYYYYYY????

Seems very authentic

[mb-155 · 9/10 · 5 May 2015]

Well my parents lived in this era and I still have my father's bird watching books WW2. It was very different - even compared from when I was young in the 70s. The first episode was excellent. Based on a book I have not read called Jambusters (sorry) I know it has not completely developed into a mini series yet but initially, at least, all the characters were interesting. We like the war dramas and this WW2 period piece has taken over from the very different crime drama Foyles War, at least it has in our house. Foyles War actually raced through WW2 (well we thought it did) and then had to survive in the Cold War. Everything about Home Fires seems to have the depth of the late 1930s and by that I mean not only the colours, like lots of greens and fawns/browns but also the correct and what are now antiques but also the cycling, or running after ambulances and being given a lift by a period tractor. The simple plots, blackberry collecting for instance, surely reflects the pace of that period. Most important the authentic characters with plenty of good actresses and actors have a great script to work on. There are interesting men, at least one nasty one, in the series so it's not just women and the Women's Institute. It might turn out to be a very memorable series. Please keep that era authentic. It's absolutely brilliant TV when it works and awful when it isn't done properly. Just one negative thing - get rid of the blue lens which gives grey hair a blue rinse!

Home Fires

[carol-58128 · 10/10 · 27 December 2016]

I am so disappointed that Home Fire series 3 has been canceled I have bought and watched both series 1 and 2 and cant believe that this show has been left like it was, what has happened to British drama. You can still keep shows like coronation st and Emmerdale going and then bring back Cold Feet but you cant finish a series off completely. Maybe another TV station can pick up this wonderful series which is also a lot of peoples own history as my interest stemmed from the fact my mothers family lived in Chester and Liverpool during the war. My mother who is now 95 years old loved this series too and she was able to relate this. We seem to be inundated with crime series from the BBC and in this time in history a gentle reminder of what a dictator tried to do to the world and what woman have achieved in the last decade was wonderful.

A great watch

[garyjournet · 10/10 · 20 July 2017]

I was a bit dubious about watching this but I'm glad I did. I binged watched it and it was thoroughly entertaining.

I cant believe after reading the other reviews on here that ITV have cancelled the 3rd series even though some of the stories had already been written.

Begs the question of ITV, how can you cancel a decent show like this and keep the crap ones like love island, take me out and all the other shows just to get people their 5 mins of fame?

Shame on you

Bring it back..; NOW!!!

[joeline-03167 · 10/10 · 28 January 2018]

I absolutely cannot believe that this absolutely incredible series has been cancelled by ITV. It is a major favorite in our household and we miss it terribly.. so BRING IT BACK... and as soon as possible.. please... For anyone who as not seen it,go find it and watch. This show deals with what was going on in the life of an English village as the war raged just over the channel. A topic rarely dealt with at all in the media. It's the best TV has to offer so it needs to continue.

OMG!!! I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE DISRESPECT!!!

[ms-nicolebrent · 10/10 · 6 May 2019]

I honestly feel cheated. It is so irresponsible and completely DISRESPECTFUL of the powers that allowed this show to be cancelled after 2 wonderful seasons and a hell of a cliffhanger. I have been disappointed before when shows that I have loved have been cancelled but I understand this is a business and my patronage alone won't keep a show on. This feels disrespectful rather than merely disappointing because this show had a large viewership and wonderful ratings. The cast invested their hearts and talents and the audience invested their hearts and attention. Why Masterpiece would even requisition this show without demanding some commitment to completion even to resolve the cliffhanger is beyond me! 2 more shows would have been able to offer some consolation over the cancellation but it shows how utterly apathetic the production gods are to their viewship.

An outstanding evocation of a fascinating era

[info-978-742475 · 10/10 · 7 May 2015]

It is an absolute delight to see a drama about the Second World War from the women's perspective. From the outset I was gripped by the characters. The anxiety among the entire village of what might be to come casts a pall over the country in the late summer of 1939. Stunning sets and achingly beautiful cinematography with sweeping shots of the glorious Cheshire countryside, this drama nevertheless holds the promise of great menace and danger to come. Simon Block has created characters that are emotionally intelligent and with great integrity and authenticity, translated effortlessly into outstanding performances by a stellar cast. The imminence of the war and the women's determination not to be cowed by whatever the next few months might bring is never stronger than in the very first scene: strong femininity versus the brutal machines of war. I know whose side I am on.

Should Be Renewed

[ellenirishellen-62962 · 9/10 · 28 April 2017]

I can't believe ITV dropped another excellent show like Home Fires!What do they think is required for the viewers,more inane programs?There are too many reality TV shows,and I won't watch any of them!You can see that kind of stuff going on everywhere,fueled by the mindless twaddle seen on TV.If I want anything,"As Seen On TV",I'll watch what I want,not some network executive trying to show me what they think things should be.Home Fires and Bletchley Circle are both excellent series dedicated to the women who made tremendous sacrifices to help the War Effort in the UK.We need more programs dedicated to bringing to the present generations the supreme dedication shown by all brave men and women,home and abroad,who contributed so selflessly to bring about an end to war that should never have been allowed to become so costly to all!

Script problems

[Manu01 · 7/10 · 3 April 2017]

An excellent series that falls foul of an ever increasing problem with British TV these days. I mean by that script writers using modern Americanisms. In this case,in the series two opener, English ladies in WW11 rural Cheshire twice used the word "snucked" (instead of sneaked),the phrase "have a good day" and also the phrase "you're very welcome". This would never have happened.

Cancelled?!?!?!? Why!?!?

[racheldustin · 10/10 · 22 August 2018]

I just binged watched season 1 & 2. Such a great show!! Then it just ends! Why??????????? Please bring it back!!!

Kind of a Letdown

[kpassa · 5/10 · 26 June 2021]

It was very entertaining until it wasn't. I would have loved it if they had a third season but that's not going to happen so it ended in a mess with a lot of loose ends. Judging by the reviews it had a lot of faithful fans but not enough of an audience to make it worth renewing. Oh well.

One of the highlights of 2015

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 22 October 2015]

Without a shadow of a doubt Home fires is one of the dramas of the year. Set during star of the second world war it focuses some of the families in a small village. It looks more so at the war through the eyes of the women, they each have stories, husbands and children having to fight, social changes, the Women's institute itself.

Beautifully acted from the entire cast, there isn't a single weak link in the chain. I particularly loved the scenes between Samantha Bond and Francesca Annis, they had some great dialogue. The series in my opinion was stolen by Claire Rushbrook and Mark Bazeley, these two took it up another level. Bob's treatment of Pat made me feel genuinely uneasy, both made it so believable.

Everything looked exactly as it should have, I love the hair and clothing throughout, people looked so smart.

Wonderfully scripted, beautifully acted this series was a true winner, it's no surprise it received such good audiences and was granted a second series. Who knows, this could continue for a little while yet.

Tragedy

[james_1108 · 9/10 · 22 July 2019]

This series should never have been cancelled - one of best series of the last 10yrs!

BRING IT BACK

[edhart08 · 9/10 · 31 October 2018]

Loved this excellent series when it showed in Australia.....and it ended on a knife edge which left a lot of unanswered questions.

Can't believe they cancelled after 2 seasons

[racheljlove-28605 · 10/10 · 28 September 2018]

Excellent story line. I was very invested in the story line and to be left with such a cliff hanger at the season 2 finale was very disappointing. I would definitely watch more if they renewed the series.

What Happened???

[jncspots · 10/10 · 19 February 2019]

What a great show! Great character development, fantastic plots. Why is this not still on??

Brilliant historical drama!

[lyninbyron · 10/10 · 24 November 2018]

Anyone interested in knowing how their ancestors died or survived during war time, will very much appreciate this excellent series. But to the morons who didn't Okay a third series, well, they should be shot out of a cannon to land in a pigpen! I'm sure you'll share my view, when you finish watching the last episode ! Enjoy!

Loved the show!

[heathersmylie · 10/10 · 13 January 2019]

Beautifully made but left us with a cliffhanger and no plans to move forward with another season.

It was great until episode 4

[aqueckboerner · 5/10 · 5 March 2021]

Why does every good show get ruined because producers feel the need to push the LGBTQ agenda? Especially in a time period where such relationships we're not prevalent. Disappointed. if this continues I will stop watching the show.

3rd Season

[kimlawicki · 9/10 · 4 August 2019]

The network should have let them do a 3rd season so they could tie up all the characters stories. Instead it was a cliffhanger. A dismal cliffhanger.

Why cancel aGreat show?

[brett-76260 · 9/10 · 4 November 2019]

I stumbled on this show and really enjoyed it. Acting and story was solid and worth watching. Sucks they only made 12 episodes cause it had a ton of fans. Really wish they would bring it back cause its a great show. Guarantee if you watch all the episodes you will be ticked off they didnt make more. Binge worthy from the very first episode.

Very good character development and better than average story.

[brianlust · 8/10 · 19 August 2019]

Some episodes felt a little rushed. There is a lot that goes on in this little town. But the characters were quite well done, and exceptionally well acted. If the writers have the rights, a Home Fires novel might do well. And, would give closure to those of us who were left hanging.

Need more!

[r2redshaw-1 · 10/10 · 3 August 2019]

Well told story that leaves audience in limbo. For goodness sake, when A Place to Call Home realized their strong audience they not only brought it back, they rewrote the original ending. Com'on Americans. Now that it's available on Netflix let's demand more episodes!

Entertaining and well produced series.

[brianhollier · 8/10 · 19 March 2018]

I am currently watching Home Fires tv series in Denmark. I remember the Second World War very clearly and the producers have tried to recreate small town life in the 40's with a degree of success. However, I cannot understand why they don't have the scripts checked and get advice about wartime pronunciation. For example, I have heard two actors say 'skedule' and not schedule. Nobody said the American pronunciation which became popular during the 'Friends' long running comedy series among younger viewers. And the young lad on the farm greeting a lady exclaiming 'Hi !' This was impossible! Greetings were more formal in those days. Even so, the series is so well acted and I love the story line. I really wish ITV would have continued the series as the writers created many strong characters.