The Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics


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I did not understand the giant baby and the romance thing with the two young people. I never would have expected to see dancing nurses at an Olympic opening ceremony. Some bits of the show were impressive and some were strange.
 
The opening ceremony was quite interesting! :)
 
This is a problem for your Finnish commentators, not the organisers. All the commentators were thoroughly briefed beforehand, and had been provided with guides to what it all meant. At every opening ceremony, the commentators have to translate what's on screen to the audience.
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completely agree... I watched the BBC stream online with the Uk commentators during yesterday afternoon (which was obviously catered to a british audience) and then watched the USA version at night - with more thorough commentary for the non-UK audience - it added so much. I enjoyed the show so much more the 2nd time (it also helped that the audio and the stream was a little choppy the first time)


The London OC was shorter than Beijing's which lasted over 4 hours. London's ran slightly long because the parade of nations took longer than expected, despite the organisers deliberately playing upbeat music during the parade to try and encourage a swift pace.

the US commentators remarked repeatedly during the parade of nations on how fast it was going as they didnt have time to share all of the anecdotes they had for each country (of course there were commercials, and they just did highlights of the countries that entered while on break). they gave full credit to the up tempo music.
 
I loved the emphasis on youth, the children's choirs, the children's choirs set in each of the countries of GB singing their folk tunes. The deaf children were so uplifting and especially the angelic 9 yr old boy soloist who sang and was actually singing,;) not lip synching.Young unknown athelets lighting the torch completed the theme.

British humor, as well as literature, etc is one of their strengths. That HM participated, beautifully I might add, and Mr. Bean,LOL didn't diminish a thing.

Give HM a break, I'm not 86 and didn't host a reception for dignitaries that day and I was tired!
 
The London OC was shorter than Beijing's which lasted over 4 hours. London's ran slightly long because the parade of nations took longer than expected, despite the organisers deliberately playing upbeat music during the parade to try and encourage a swift pace.

When I watched the replay of the opening on NBC the American commentators kept commenting that it was the fastest parade of athletes they had seen and that they were having trouble keeping up. They usually have lots of miscellaneous facts to trot out about each nation and its athletes but the parade went so fast they had to ditch a lot of their notes.
 
You know, I think that was the fastest parade of nations I've ever seen. Our commentators remarked several times how quickly it was going and it didn't seem to take as long as usual. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole ceemony
 
My cable was out from 3:00p.m eastern time yesterday and did not come back on until 11:00 a.m. today. The one time in 365 days that I was truly looking forward to watching something on television and I can't. Please, please, please someone tell me that they will be rebroadcasting the opening ceremonies at some point or does anyone know if it is on BBC on demand. I know they replays the Royal wedding a couple of times. So hoping the will do the same for this historic event as well.
 
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I think it was perhaps Team GB who, understandably wanting to enjoy the honour of coming out last because they're the home team, took a bit longer than expected to parade into the stadium. About 20 minutes of material was actually removed from the ceremony before hand, and yet it still ran about 20 minutes over.

I was disappointed to hear that NBC chose to cut the very touching tribute to the victims of the 7/7 bombings (which occurred the day after London was announced as host city in 2005), in favour of a pre-recorded interview with Michael Phelps. I felt that was a bit disrespectful, and not something the BBC would ever dream of doing if the shoe were on the other foot and a tribute to 9/11 was happening. Americans missed a beautiful rendition of the hymn Abide With Me by Emeli Sande, which is one of the most loved hymns in the UK as it is played on FA Cup Final day every year.
 
The parade of athletes always seems endless. I start out all inspired and "isn't this wonderful" with the 'A' countries. This lasts right up until after Canada comes out and then my enthusiasm starts to decline. By the time we get to 'Z' I'm always wondering if there's a way the organizers could change things next time around and make the athletes run in... they're in good shape, after all!
 
Speaking of running in, did anyone see the Independent Olympic Athletes come dancing in? They were from South Sudan and the Netherlands Antilles, and they literally danced their way into the stadium! If I could find a video of that, I'll post it.
 
After watching the opening ceremonies last night, I was too tired to think of doing anything else besides going to sleep. My main and first impression overall of it was "how profoundly British". I loved how the first main scene of Glastonbury Tor played a part throughout the entire ceremony.

I was all smiles during the segment of James Bond escorting HM to the Olympic Stadium. One thing for sure, HM looked dead tired by the time she made her entrance and her words opening the games kind of reflected this. Short, sweet and done with. It does have to be the most memorable entrance of a Head of State to an opening ceremony I've ever seen. Of course the corgis stole the show.. total hams. :)

Going through the various eras of British history was superb for me. It made me realize just how familiar I was with the literature, art, music and industrial accomplishments and how they've affected my own life. I do have to admit sneaking off to make a snack during the Frankie and June part, it didn't grab me at all.

Many people have been comparing this opening ceremony with the one in Beijing 4 years ago. Although Beijing was a massive production aiming to shock and awe the audience, I don't feel it had the sense of pride that the British displayed last night. This production was about people from all over from construction worker, NHS volunteers, sports stars, lords and ladies to the reigning monarch. Everyone was a part of the whole.

It was fitting then that the cauldron was compiled of something from each of the countries that came to play. For some reason, I had been thinking that the sculpture outside the Olympic Stadium was going to be lit and as it unfolded, it totally amazed me. All I could think was "Now THAT'S a cauldron!".

As far as lighting the cauldron, once again it was done in a manner of the British "and now for something completely different... " manner. Beckham's trip down the Thames was totally Beckham. It was also fitting I think that he was part of the relay from start to finish from having traveled with it from Greece and then to deliver it to the Stadium. Along with Sir Redgrave and the 7 Olympians that mentored the young athletic teens, they were part of something like 205 (?) past British medal winners assembled. It was such that no one was totally singled out but they all were a part of the whole.

Ahhhhh... now on to enjoying the games and catch up on sleep.

Speaking of running in, did anyone see the Independent Olympic Athletes come dancing in? They were from South Sudan and the Netherlands Antilles, and they literally danced their way into the stadium! If I could find a video of that, I'll post it.

Oh they were very eye catching weren't they? They were totally enjoying themselves and having a good time. Wonder what flag they'd use if any one of them won a medal. :D
 
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My cable was out from 3:00p.m eastern time yesterday and did not come back on until 11:00 a.m. today. The one time in 365 days that I was truly looking forward to watching something on television and I can't. Please, please, please someone tell me that they will be rebroadcasting the opening ceremonies at some point or does anyone know if it is on BBC on demand. I know they replays the Royal wedding a couple of times. So hoping the will do the same for this historic event as well.

I know its on BBC iplayer cos I just watched partof it again.
 
Oh they were very eye catching weren't they? They were totally enjoying themselves and having a good time. Wonder what flag they'd use if any one of them won a medal. :D

probably the olympic flag and hymne.. they usually do that with 'independent' athletes
 
The Opening Ceremony itself was glorious and fun and funny - and yes, very British and I love them for it. Congratulations, Isles, for such a whimsical, fabulous production, full of talent and laughs.

A great invitation to visit, btw - I wish I was there.
 
LadyFinn said:
The Queen and James Bond, not a good combination at all. The only good thing in it was that the Queen didn't come out of the helicopter.
This was a totally unnecessary thing at the opening ceremony and didn't suit to my image about the Queen at all.

Boring .....

I notice from reading the comments that people keep referring to English countryside and English history . Very annoying for Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland and all the various islands ......
 
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:previous: I guess it would annoy those who are overly sensitive.

When considering the games are taking place in London, it's little wonder many foreigners should associate the countryside as being English, first and formost.
 
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:previous: I guess it would annoy those who are overly sensitive.

When considering the games are taking place in London, it's little wonder many foreigners should associate the countryside as being English, first and formost.

I thought they did an excellent job saluting all the cultures of the Isles in the very beginning with the children singing folk tunes from England, Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland. The fact that they used Glastonbury Tor as a main focus also reflected this. Although in SW England, it dates back to before Roman times and there's a wealth of myth and legend and history surrounding it. I was just kind of surprised that Stonehenge wasn't incorporated somehow.
 
:previous: I thought each nation was represented well also, considering the fast paced nature of the Opening Ceremony.
 
The Queen/James Bond movie was amusing, but not as amusing as the internet meme the queen's bored looks inspired today all over the internet. And the gifs of her examining her fingernails whilst Team Great Britain walked by. Hilarious. And the commentators saying how thrilled and excited she looked. LOL!
 
The Queen/James Bond movie was amusing, but not as amusing as the internet meme the queen's bored looks inspired today all over the internet. And the gifs of her examining her fingernails whilst Team Great Britain walked by. Hilarious. And the commentators saying how thrilled and excited she looked. LOL!

Amazing. The Queen has gone viral on the internet and at 86 years old too!
 
:previous: I guess it would annoy those who are overly sensitive.

When considering the games are taking place in London, it's little wonder many foreigners should associate the countryside as being English, first and formost.

The countryside I've seen today, and commented on here (cycling), was most definately English since it was Surrey, unless Surrey has relocated to another country :)


LaRae
 
The countryside I've seen today, and commented on here (cycling), was most definately English since it was Surrey, unless Surrey has relocated to another country :)


LaRae


Ahhh... maybe I did get confused. I associated talking about the countryside to mean the display at the opening ceremonies as that's what this thread is about.
 
No worries, I was really just teasing ....some of us foreigners do know a little about the countries that make up GB :)


LaRae
 
cepe said:
I know its on BBC iplayer cos I just watched partof it again.

Cepe, can you tell me what I player is. Is that like on demand where you can watch it at any time.
 
Well I thought the opening ceremony was fantastic! I loved how the children sang the folk songs from old. The scenery was magnificent. I was in awe of the beauty that was before my eyes. I didnt particularly care for the Frankie thing though the music was good. The James Bond thing was kind of fun although I never really thought the Queen would be a part of something like that. The corgis were adorable of course and seeing the DoE next to her was great. He looks in good health. All in all it was a brilliant performance. The Queen looked quite pleased with it for the most part.
 
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