Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014)

Synopsis

Tommo's recollection focuses on his military training alongside Charlie and then their journey across the Channel to France. At Etaples camp they are under the command of Sergeant 'Horrible' Hanley. When Charlie rescues Tommo from one of Hanley's sadistic punishments he is himself even more severely punished for insubordination.

Further Information

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 1

2014 | 14'56''

Private Thomas Peaceful - 'Tommo' - begins the recollection of his short life to date. He remembers his school days -...

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 2

2014 | 14'57''

Thomas Peaceful - 'Tommo' - continues his recollection of his young life: in particular how the death of his father m...

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 3

2014 | 14'56''

Tommo remembers how hardship led his brother, Charlie, and he to go poaching on the Colonel's land, the cruelty of 't...

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 4

2014 | 14'53''

Tommo recalls more of the events of his childhood shared with Charlie and Molly: how Charlie and he are caught poachi...

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 5

2014 | 14'56''

Tommo continues to recall childhood events: another confrontation with the Colonel and his pain at the deepening rela...

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 6

2014 | 14'47''

Tommo recalls how one day his brother Big Joe goes missing and how, when he does not return home, the whole village t...

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 7

2014 | 15'00''

Tommo recalls how Molly is thrown out by her family and comes to stay at the Peaceful's cottage. One day on an errand...

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 8

2014 | 15'00''

Tommo's recollection focuses on his military training alongside Charlie and then their journey across the Channel to ...

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 9

2014 | 14'53''

Tommo recalls how Charlie and he are posted to the front line trenches. Tommo is relieved to be going and - he hopes ...

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 10

2014 | 14'54''

Tommo Peaceful and the rest of the company are posted to the trenches in Ypres. Tommo describes a two-day bombardmen...

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 11

2014 | 15'02''

The episode begins with a gas attack and the company sustains a number of casualties. Later Tommo shares his last le...

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 12

2014 | 14'45''

Tommo regains consciousness on the battlefield where he has been buried alive by a shell explosion. Once Charlie and...

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 13

2014 | 14'58''

Tommo's recollection of past events ends with his description of his final meeting with Charlie. Then, at one minute...

Other Archive resources

War Horse | BBC Two | 2012

How to Write | Author Michael Morpurgo on writing his book War Horse

Author Michael Morpurgo discusses his book War Horse and his process for drafting his stories.

Private Peaceful | BBC Two | 2012

How to Write | Author Michael Morpurgo on his book Private Peaceful

Author Michael Morpurgo talks to a group of students about the inspiration for his book Private Peaceful.

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (2014) | Episode 8

Synopsis