We'll Take Manhattan

[Merton Park]

Shown last night on BBC4 it's the story of the beginning of the rise of David Bailey and Jean Shrimpton and their iconic first major fashion shoot in New York in 1962.

The two lead players Aneurin Barnard ans Karen Gillan are both exceptional in their roles and ably supported by Helen Mc Crory as their nemesis, Lady Clare Rendlesham from Vogue magazine, who is a real old world antagonist who hates the new breed.

Very well made and certain shots of New York beautifully filmed. A very interesting subject that I am sure will get critical acclaim and a proper airing in due course. It's bound to be repeated and if the period is of interest, don't miss it. It's a real treat.

[Steve Crook]

I caught it and thoroughly agree with your excellent summary

I was struggling to remember where I'd seen Helen McCrory before. Checking her list on the IMDb I've managed to avoid most of them, but she was Mama Jeanne in Hugo

Steve

[cully]

Thoroughly enjoyed it and thought the actor who played Bailey was outstanding as was Helen McCrory who wouldn't know how to give a poor performance if she tried.

[smudge]

Contrary to what I expected I rather enjoyed this too - although I do wonder if some of the 'Bailey being Bailey' scenes were somewhat bolstered up for dramatic effect. I suspect we'll be seeing much more of Aneurin Barnard in the coming years, as he did a very good job.

As MP said, very nicely shot, with some good use of light (which likely helped to block out bits of modern NYC!) but I did think that the music was a little overbearing at times. Nice how they used John French shots for the opening captions and Baileys for the closing ones...

Smudge