[Afamilyatwar-list] Episode 3

[Veit, Richard]

Episode No. 3, "Lines of Battle"

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With a fine script by Stan Barstow, “Lines of Battle” cleverly interweaves two distinct storylines: the John Porter-Margaret Ashton marriage and the outspoken class bitterness of ("Welsh gas bag") Gwyn Roberts, from whose political discourse “Lines of Battle” derives its title. It is a swiftly-paced episode, with a powerful screen portrayal by Ioan Meredith. Gwyn Roberts will feature in a much later episode as well (Episode 34, “For the Duration”), when he engages in some decidedly one-sided pub talk with John, Freda, and Doris. The same thing occurs with another character of pro-communist sympathies, Parker, who played a major role in “To Die for Spain” and will return much later in the series (Episode 29, “Clash by Night”). Both characters are so strongly conceived and portrayed that their reappearances are welcome.

I was impressed by the remarkable continuity of “Lines of Battle,” with Stan Barstow faithfully capturing the essence of John Finch’s characters. That is, to me, a hallmark of "A Family at War", how the characters develop so convincingly over the span of 52 episodes. I sense that John Finch must have worked very closely with the other writers, polishing the submitted scripts so as to make them fit seamlessly into the whole fabric.

For me, a memorable scene in “Lines of Battle” is the tender moment when Margaret, attired in her wedding gown, tries to express her gratitude for all that her father has done in her life. It rings true throughout and appears to have been shot in a single take.

In the British release (Acorn), Patrick Troughton and Margery Mason are accorded screen credits for "Lines of Battle" even though their characters (Harry Porter and Celia Porter) do not appear on screen. The script calls for Celia to be taken ill and then leave the wedding reception with her husband. That brief scene is restored in the Dutch set.

The names of Peter and Janet Ashton (children of David and Sheila) were borrowed from the child actors who played these roles in "Lines of Battle": Peter Finch and Janet Tute. Peter, of course, is one of John Finch's sons.
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