A bit of argy-bargy

Press, 18 September 1982, Page 13

A bit of argy-bargy

r Review 1

Ken Strongman

What will the historians do? The marvels of journalism and modern television now bring use documentaries bn the latest war just a few months after its conclusion. We can use the blood and guns and the makeshift morality right there in the security of our homes. "Task Force South — the Battle for the Falklands.” Let’s get it out of the way at the start: it is good television. The story is being told and told well, both visually and in words. The first epi-' sode was little distinguishable from “'Sailor". It was mainly about the community on board ship: from guns to appendectomies to hymns to sport to a grindingly laborious humour.

Mind you. it was a touch partisan. Soft-voiced Richard Baker spoke very simply and clearly for the viewing idiots. It was an odd strain of patronising patriotism. The glorious Brits were shown as 'merely,-, and with unfailing good humour, responding to .the evils of a very foreign “power, At one point, this foreign power was described ;thus: "Governments there (had not fought anyone, except their own people, for more than a hundred years.” Meanwhile, following recent tradition, the American Secretary of State, then the inimitable Haig, was shown jiustling about in his attempt

to get the Nobel peace prize. They must stand poised, constantly ready for the next international altercation. The start of Monday’s programme was delightful. The iron lady sallied forth from No. 10, moving to her car as though she were trying to correct the worst excesses of a distorting mirror. Then, with no more ado. she was putting her aircraft carriers where her mouth is. Suddenly. half the British population was standing on the dockside and the other half was lined up on ships. Why was it all so. reminiscent of "Abide with Me” at the Cup Final? Best of all was the creativity of language prompted by' the occasion. It began with an extraordinarily impressive touch of courteous diplomacy from the Governor of the Falklands. “I’m not surrendering to the bloody Argies.” One wonders what his cocktail parties for the visiting Argie dignitaries had been like. Then, to follow, was a wonderful woman sending off the brave boys

with: “And please God they pull it off." Well, the Navybeing what it is . . . On board ship there were instuctions about the loading of bombs given with that heavy-handed, light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek British humour. One did not know, whether to be horrified or amused at the similarity to “Beyond the Fringe" or Spike Milligan. It was “Boy’s Own" stuff. Helicopters, jump jets, and missiles, signal lamps and flares, noise, bustle and men with big boots and camouflage. And the programme was genuinely, absorbingly well made. It was easy to become intrigued by the impressive logistics and the sight of the Darth Vader-like Harriers taking off. and forget what it was all for. Then, back to reality. The man in charge of the naval part said: "I'm not one for blowing people's heads off at the best of times." Then: