The Singapore Grip viewers rage over ‘dire’ acting and ‘flimsy’ plot – branding WWII drama a ‘waste of an hour’
THE SINGAPORE Grip has viewers raging over its “dire” acting and “flimsy” plot, branding the WWII drama a “waste of an hour”.
Audiences have been panning many aspects of the series, which is based on the 1978 novel by JG Farrell, including the acting, plot and script.
The series follows the story of rich Brits living in Singapore during the early 1940s but their lives are thrown into turmoil when the island is invaded by Japan.
Based on the which drew on real events, the occupation of Singapore was described by former Prime Minister Winston Churchill as the "worst disaster" in British military history.
Over 80,000 British, Indian and Australian troops in Singapore became prisoners of war, joining 50,000 taken by the Japanese in the earlier Malayan Campaign.
However, those watching at home were hugely critical of the programme with many taking to Twitter to pour scorn over the series.
One wrote: “#singaporegrip Just started watching episode 2.. the acting is dire, the plot lines are flimsy, and if the Japanese burst in a beheaded them all..... no one would notice..
“Stayed to the end... Will never get the time back. Awful dross. How much was spent on this drivel?”
“This series is dead in the water. It’s not awful, just irredeemably mediocre. The script gives the actors nothing to work with. What a pity, as the book is excellent, ” added another.
A third penned, “I don't like posting negatives about stuff people might be enjoying but there's currently some dire Sunday night drama on TV. Gave up on ITV's #SingaporeGrip after 1st episode.”
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“Is this supposed to be a comedy because the acting and script are very OTT?!” questioned a fourth. “Not sure what to make of it. #singaporegrip”
“I was looking forward to #singaporegrip, but am finding it quite boring. Very disappointing.”
The Singapore Grip is on ITV on Sunday at 9pm and stars David Morrissey as Walter Blackett, Luke Treadaway as Matthew Web, and Game of Thrones actor Charles Dance.
There are a total of six episodes, which will be broadcast weekly.
The series is executive produced by Damien Timmer, the man behind series such as Poldark, Victoria and Endeavour.