‘Digger’ not ‘*igger’ it’s Official…..Apparently!

I think we’re going round in circles here, and starting to get personal.

I’m closing the thread for a breather, and a mod consult.

Bruce

I’m slightly confused as to why people like Steven Fry, who apparently wrote the script, would want to get involved in such a project. It would be obvious from the very beginning that the name of Gibson’s wonderful hound would be “offensive” to such people.
I imagine that the values of genuine heroes like Guy Gibson, as representitive of the calibre of Bomber Command personnel, would be held up for ridicule by Fry and his ilk.
I remember reading during the first Gulf War, how the Guardian was running an ad hoc competition to find the the British officer with the plumbiest accent. This was while our people were actually fighting and dying.
I for one, would like to see a film about Steven Fry and his kind, showing them warts and all for what they really are.
I for one will never watch this historically inaccurate crap. Richard Todd will always be tops.

How does he read them all since he seems to have about a million people ready to fall, or should I say, fawn, upon his every word……..?:eek:

I don’t know that either – but you could always ask him!

Don’t anybody post the answer! But if we’re honest with ourselves (and it won’t work if we’re not) I think it will be very revealing to those of us who have been so outspoken if we don’t know where the codeword for breaching of the Eder Dam came from and the irony behind it!

How many of us have got the integrity to admit they didn’t know? Anybody?

😮 I didn’t but I do now – a point well made! 🙂

Crikey it is just a dog in a film with a much bigger story to tell about a bombing raid which at the time represented a great morale boost. To tell a story in film which is not a documentary is to make a drama based on the facts but not having to stick 100 percent to the facts, This is how feature films are made and always have been.

Keep it in perspective, the new film will give a chance for a new generation to appreciate the story.

James. You may well, just be right,:)
Jim.

Lincoln .7

Sky High. Pete. in all the time I have known you, I have never seen you on the forum this late, something grabbed your attention?.;)

And how has the thread turned into the most popular on this forum, five pages in 24 hrs, with people posting here that rarely do.
Historic aviation subjects don’t even get this attention here!
Probably because it’s all a bit ‘naughty’ and controversial, however it won’t reflect on the forum well.

I also like this silly notion that this is all down to Stephen Fry, during commission a movie script has to satisfy producers, directors, studios, financiers, share holders etc, and that is before it has to be released and make as much money as it can. Anyone who thinks a film is foremost made in any kind of memory to crews and history and then the takings is misguided.

Baz puts it well, who cares, there will be other changes from fact than this.
Personally I will be amazed if the film is ever completed.

I’m very surprised at the strength of feeling still shown over this issue so let’s try an experiment:

We all obviously know what Guy Gibson’s dog was called and that his name was used for the codeword for the successful breaching of the Möhne Dam. Some of us that think this fact is an essential part of the history of the operation and the film should not be made without including it.

So, what was the codeword for the breaching of the Eder Dam and what was the significance of that word?

Don’t anybody post the answer! But if we’re honest with ourselves (and it won’t work if we’re not) I think it will be very revealing to those of us who have been so outspoken if we don’t know where the codeword for breaching of the Eder Dam came from and the irony behind it!

How many of us have got the integrity to admit they didn’t know? Anybody?

Probaby more than one would imagine Warren, but did you know that 1.8 million gallons of water went through the breach in just a few SECONDS?.
Jim.

Lincoln .7

I’ll be honest and say I don’t care what they call the dog, this film is not aimed at people like us, if it was it would probably flop.

If its in the spirit of the raid and inspires the next generation of aviation enthusiasts ( like the original did ), then its good enough for me.

Baz

Exactly Baz. And as we (should!) all know, the original took greater liberties than changing a dog’s name anyway.

Sky High. Pete. in all the time I have known you, I have never seen you on the forum this late, something grabbed your attention?.;)

Jim.

Lincoln .7

I’ll be honest and say I don’t care what they call the dog, this film is not aimed at people like us, if it was it would probably flop.

If its in the spirit of the raid and inspires the next generation of aviation enthusiasts ( like the original did ), then its good enough for me.

Baz

I’m very surprised at the strength of feeling still shown over this issue so let’s try an experiment:

We all obviously know what Guy Gibson’s dog was called and that his name was used for the codeword for the successful breaching of the Möhne Dam. Some of us that think this fact is an essential part of the history of the operation and the film should not be made without including it.

So, what was the codeword for the breaching of the Eder Dam and what was the significance of that word?

Don’t anybody post the answer! But if we’re honest with ourselves (and it won’t work if we’re not) I think it will be very revealing to those of us who have been so outspoken if we don’t know where the codeword for breaching of the Eder Dam came from and the irony behind it!

How many of us have got the integrity to admit they didn’t know? Anybody?

If you all feel so strongly why don’t you all just tweet Mr Fry and see what he says?

How does he read them all since he seems to have about a million people ready to fall, or should I say, fawn, upon his every word……..?:eek:

Baz. I loved your story, you could write and produce a film around it. Possibly called something like Ghost bust, no, got a better title, why not call it, “The Dam Busters” should raise a few eyebrows with a dog called Nigger, highly original, but thats only my opinion.;)

Jim.

Lincoln .7

[QUOTE=AdlerTag;1757813] afterall there are major world religions that have edited certain prayers to avoid offending people of other faiths.

And in reality, this is what it’s all about, offending those that choose to be offended, mainly not because they give a damn realy, just to stir the proverbial up.and because it’s British.

I have, and always will be a great believer, of, “When in Rome etc”.

Jim.

Lincoln .7

I have to agree with Dan Johnson here, the changing of the name is a small price to pay if it means the story gets done well and presented to a new audience. The name is one of those things that can be lived without, afterall there are major world religions that have edited certain prayers to avoid offending people of other faiths.* It’s a small sacrifice and it makes sense.

* As an example, several Catholic prayers used to include anti-Jewish remarks which have since sensibly been removed.

If you all feel so strongly why don’t you all just tweet Mr Fry and see what he says?

Scene 325 ‘The Dambusters’

With a final squeal of brakes the Lancaster shudders to a halt on the dispersal, within a few seconds the four whirling propellers slow and then stop. The silence now only marred by the pinking sound of Merlin engines and Skylarks singing their summer chorus. Airman push the chocks into place and yell to Gibson “Brakes off!”
Gibson shouts back “Brakes off!”
The crew bus manoeuvres a little closer, as does Gibson’s staff car.
After a few minutes the rear door opens and the air gunner places the small ladder into position.
The crew, slowly, one by one emerge and climb down to the tarmac.
Last out is Gibson, as he climbs down he looks across the pan to see his Labrador on its lead held by LAC Jenkins.

“Digger!” he shouts “Come-on boy!”

Three of the crew walking to the bus, stop and look back at their skipper, LAC Jenkins (who by now has released the dog) straightens up and starts to frown. The dog remains sat, staring blankly at Gibson.

“Come on Digger!” he shouts again, patting his knees with his hands.

After a pause, both dog and Jenkins look at each other, then back at (the now wildly gesticulating) Gibson.

“Rabbits Digger!”… “We’re going to Cornwall!”

The dog shows no emotion and sits perfectly still.

By now, all the ground crew and the remaining aircrew are also staring at Gibson.
After a longer pause, Jenkins clears his throat.

“Er,….Sir…why have you changed your dogs name?”

“Have I?”

“Yes Sir”

“What was it?

“Er..Nigger Sir”

Gibson pondered for a few seconds.

“Nigger!” he shouts “Come-on boy”

The Labrador with tail wagging frenziedly, hurtles across the tarmac and leaps up at Gibson licking his face excitedly.

Well said that man. Still, getting bent out of shape over trivia, as you say seems to be what we do best here.

Dan Johnson. I know what you mean, however, if your going to tell a story, then tell it all, warts and all, it may be a dogs name to you, but it’s a whole different ball game over here, as you would state.

Jim.

Lincoln .7