The Passing Bells
Shared hopes. Shared sorrows.
Created by Tony Jordan
On BBC One
A concentrated five-episode historical drama that follows two young soldiers across the First World War, balancing intimate character connection against the grinding darkness of industrial warfare.
At the outbreak of World War I, two teenage boys - one German and one British - defy their parents to sign up. An epic historical drama spanning the five years of the First World War, as seen through the eyes of two ordinary young soldiers.
Clusters
Genres
Questions people ask
Is The Passing Bells sad? Yes, very. More sad than 98% of series.
Is The Passing Bells violent? Yes, very. More violent than 92% of series.
Does The Passing Bells leave you hopeful? Barely. Less hopeful than 81% of series.
Is The Passing Bells easy watching? Barely. Less comforting than 75% of series.
Is The Passing Bells scary? Somewhat. More frightening than 59% of series.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
Familiar shape, done well.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Like The Passing Bells
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as The Passing Bells
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like The Passing Bells, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like The Passing Bells, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like The Passing Bells, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
