The Year of the French

I thought that the production of the television drama 'the Year of the French' in 1982 was excellent and I have been searching everywhere to try and find a copy of it. My parents were in the production as extra's so it is of great sentimental value to me. I have searched everywhere so perhaps it was never put out on VHS?DVD? The period is of a lesser known era in Irish and British history so I feel that it should be released as it is of great interest. The 'Castlebar races' certainly gave the British a 'bloody nose' and it was sometime before the rebellion was put down. Many re-en-actors from the UK took part playing both French/British troops as they were already trained to fire cannons/muskets/drumming etc with the 'Sealed Knot' Society.

I've looked everywhere, without success. Any information grateful. Really would like to get my hands on a copy. I've read the book. It recalls the 1798 rebellion focusing on a number of locals from mayo and going into great detail describing the lands of the area and the battles/skirmishes that took place at the time.

Anyway I read the book which my dad gave me and since I discussed it with him he has not stopped talking about the drama series made in 1982 and how good it was and how much I would enjoy it and how much he would like to see it again. He saw it in the early 80s on channel 4 or RTE he cannot remember exactly. I would like to return the favour and give him a present of the TV series for Christmas but after all my searching online and in DVD stores I cannot lay my hand on it anywhere. In fact at this stage I am coming to doubt it is available in any format anywhere!

Please post a comment if you know of anywhere I may be able to find a copy. Thanking you all in advance for your help.

I first saw this on RTE Television back in '82 on first release. I saw a few episodes when Channel 4 (UK), ran it later in the year. I seem to remember at the time that it was a three party production involving FR3 France, Channel 4 UK, and RTE Ireland. It was indeed tri lingual with subtitles for the foreign dialog.

Though the series was quite popular at the time, and drew very good viewer ratings on RTE, it didn't get much approval from the critics. Citing poor editing, bad acting, historical inaccuracy's, amidst the criticisms. None of this though changes the fact that it remained popular with viewers. And of course being a period of Irish history that was not covered by popular media, it attracted all the more attention. And of course not forgetting the excellent soundtrack produced by The Chieftains & The RTE Concert Orchestra.

I have seen many posts on various forums from people looking for this title on DVD, but as far as I am aware, the reason why it hasn't thus far become available, is due to licensing issues between the three countries. So in the meantime, I guess we just wait until this has been resolved. I certainly for one will be looking forward to it's release on digital media of whichever format.

This really is history at it's best - even for the early 80's the production is awesome - and the total realism cannot be unestimated. A great representation of when the French sent a small army to County Mayo in 1798 to help Irish patriots free themselves of their English lords. Wonderfull characters and totally believable - like being back in Mayo in 1798 - fantastic. I still have a digitised VHS version of the series that I revisit every now and then (usually as soon as I play a scene I am hooked - its that absorbing and realistic) just wish they would get the issues with the DVD release resolved!

My late husband saw some or all of the series; alas, I saw none of it. However, he found a tape cassette produced in 1983 by Shanachie Records Corp., The Chieftains: The Year of the French© 5Shan-79036 (1 Hollywood Ave., Dalebrook Park, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ 07423), which we have listened to so frequently, especially while traveling, that it's a wonder it still plays flawlessly. There are some vocals, background tavern noise, and the compelling beat of the theme song. It is also copyrighted by Paddy Maloney in the original recording: Radio Telefis Eirann, 1982.

We acquired many albums by The Chieftains; this is one of my favorites -- and I never saw the show!