Olympic Opening Ceronomy

[Ian]

Agree about Macca as well should have had Coldplay to close it.

As regards the rest - brilliant - and done  well below the cost of Beijing.

This was in the radio times and sums it up:

Luckily, Boyle enjoys working on a relative shoestring; most of his films come in under $20m. The Beijing opening ceremony cost an estimated £64m; Boyle has £27m at his disposal. Beijing was spectacular, sure, but its display had a kind of post-communist clinical feel about it. Boyle, by turn, brings humanity and passion to his work. His ceremony will surely reflect the Britain we’d like to be: inclusive, caring, energetic, positive and quietly ambitious.

Well done everyone involved :-)

[BUBSMUM]

There seems to be mixed feelings this morning with some people expecting more.  For me it was, I thought, a triumph!  The engineering and technical input and erection of the stadium by British workmen and experts, the thousands of volunteers who took park in the "drama" (200 hours per person in rehearsals) together with the genius and imagination that is Danny Boyle, who was handed a huge task, he and all those involved in GB 2012 should be proud.  I loved every symbolic and sentimental thought that went into the drama.  The competing countries' colourful appearance was a feast for the eyes.  I especially applauded those nations that recognised their female competitors for the first time in otherwise male dominated Arabic countries and felt that the atmosphere oozed the togetherness of every nation coming together in one World.

Nothing bothered me last night, not evem Mr McCartney or the French speak!  I thought it was fab ;o)

[Marggie]

Very eloquently put Bubsmum!  I too, thought it was a triumph.

[Scunner]

Proud to be British not remotely embarrassed about our heritage or the show.

You might have been if it had been accurate and full. Where was the slavery and imperial colonisation - we were World leaders at those too!

[valleyboy]

Loved it all bar Paul Mcartney, who seems to spoil everything he appears in

Every time Mike ! - At least they got one thing right playing Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon when the magnificent "arty" cauldron was in its fullest glory !  

[Colwyn]

I don't think it was the real Queen parachuting out of the helicopter

Of course it was the real Queen. But it wasn't a real helicopter.

Glad the point about French being the official language of the modern Olympics has been made. I was worried about the danger of apoplexy in some CBF members - "Damn foreigners sticking their noses in OUR Olympics. I blame the EU!". Perhaps the commentators could have done a better job of explaining this.

About the ceremony: well it was a bit puzzling wasn't it? I thought Glastonbury Tor was a great idea to display the flags, and the cauldron was terrific. I liked the human touch (e.g. featuring the workers who built the stadium) and the humour but I thought much of it was directed almost exclusively at a British audience so I'd like to hear what some of the estimated 1 billion worldwide audience made of it.

[valleyboy]

Does the German Official really understand what he is doing ? - Look at Camilla's face !! 

[Highlander]

Look at Camilla's face !! 

I'd rather not, if it's ok with you  

[marina]

From being one of the great sceptics before these games began I'm now a fully paid up supporter!

I loved the opening ceremony, thought there were some inspirational segments (the Queen and James Bond, Beckham bringing the torch in the speedboat to name just two) But the best for me was at the end.  To keep everyone guessing right up to the last minute who was going to light the cauldron and then see the torch handed over to the young athletes to perform the ceremony was wonderful.  The true spirit of the Olympics.  Watching the arms of the cauldron lift to form the 'bowl' was  amazing.  True genius.

Only thing that spoiled it for me too was Paul McCartney! Why does he still keep getting invited to these occasions?!  He's only a step up these days from Cliff Richard  :

Looking forward now to seeing the medals roll in (hopefully!) 

[Daffodil]

I thought Mike Oldfield and The Artic Monkeys were very good.