London hosted the Olympic Games in 1908 and 1948 (cancelled in 1940 and 1940 due to World War II), and in 2005 Great Britain made the bid for 2012 (against Paris), the 30th Olympiad, with "Proud" by Heather Small as the official theme, it was successful, being British myself I watched this opening ceremony on the BBC with great pride and excitement, directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, Slumdog Millionaire). Highlights of the sections Green and Pleasant Land and Pandemonium included the English rural countryside (with brief live broadcasts from Northern Island, Scotland and Wales) turning into the Industrial Revolution, Isambard Kingdom Brunel (Sir Kenneth Branagh) from the Victorian era reciting The Tempest by William Shakespeare, and five rings made from hot metal rising above the stadium to form the five interlocking Olympic rings, representing the five continents of the world: Africa, Asia, America, Europe and Australia. The Happy and Glorious section sees James Bond 007 (Daniel Craig) escorting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (as herself), then celebrating her Diamond Jubilee, by helicopter, including over Trafalgar Square, with Nelson's Column, to the Olympic Stadium, the Queen apparently jumps and parachutes from the helicopter, followed by her arrival with Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinborough, and the raising of the Union Flag by representatives of the Royal Navy, Army and the Royal Air Force. Highlights of the Second Star to the Right and Straight on Till Morning included celebration of the great work of the National Health Service (NHS) and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), Mike Oldfield performing "Tubular Bells" (The Exorcist theme) and "In Dulce Jubilo", J.K. Rowling reading from Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, villains from British literature appearing: The Child Catcher (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Captain Hook (Peter Pan), Voldermort (Harry Potter) and Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians), and dozens of Mary Poppins. The Interlude was Sir Simon Rattle conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, performing "Chariots of Fire" by Vangalis, a tribute to the British Film Industry (BFI), with Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) playing the synthesizer, and dreaming of running on the beach, like the film. Highlights of the section Frankie and June Say...Thanks Tim included the celebration of British popular music and culture, the family house projecting various British TV programmes, music videos and films, the celebration of four decades of British music, Dizzee Rascal singing "Bonkers", the crowd forming the CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) symbol, and Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web appearing. The Abide with Me section saw highlights from the Olympic Torch relay across the United Kingdom, lasting 70 days and 8,000 miles, famous torch bearers included: Ade Adepitan, Absolutely Fabulous (Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, Amitabh Bachchan, Melanie "Mel C" Chisholm, Diversity, Sir Bruce Forsyth, Rupert Grint, Lewis Hamilton, Dame Kelly Holmes, Eddie Izzard, Jedward, Amir Khan, Patrick Kielty, John Legend, Denise Lewis, James McAvoy, Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) in a live segment of EastEnders, Andy Murray, Muse, Jamie Oliver, Mark Ronson, Matt Smith, Sir Patrick Stewart, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, David Walliams, The Wanted, will.i.am and Venus Williams, David Beckham in a speed boat on the River Thames carried the Olympic flame, and there is a tribute to the victims of the '7/7' 2005 London bombings (the day after London was awarded the Games). Then the athletes entered the stadium from 204 nations, competing in 302 events in 26 sports, Emeli Sandé singing "Abide with Me", the Arctic Monkeys performing "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" and "come Together", "Caliban's Dream" by Underworld, Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, made speeches, Muhammad Ali appeared to momentarily hold the Olympic Flag, Sir Steve Redgrave was the final torch bearer, finally promising young athletes nominated by British Olympic heroes lit the cauldron, designed by Thomas Heatherwick, more than 200 copper petals converged into one great flame of unity, the evening ends with Sir Paul McCartney singing "The End" and "Hey Jude". Narrated by Huw Edwards, Hazel Irvine and Trevor Nelson, stars who appeared and are seen included Bradley Wiggins, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Princess Anne, Usain Bolt, Prime Minister David Cameron and wife Samantha, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Tom Daley, Sir Chris Hoy, Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic, Michelle Obama and Nicola Adams. This was one of the best things that was ever going to happen in my lifetime, I myself saw the Olympic Torch passing through Winchester, this ceremony had brilliant special effects, fantastic use of music, and many colourful and memorable moments, it made me really proud to be British, a superb live sport entertainment event. It won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Art Direction for Variety or Nonfiction Programming, and it was nominated for Outstanding Lighting Design or Lighting Direction for a Variety Special, Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special, Outstanding Special Class Programs and Outstanding Picture Editing for Short-Form Segments and Variety Specials, and it won the BAFTA for Best Director: Multi- Camera, and it was nominated the Audience Award (TV). Very good!
London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony: Isles of Wonder
(2012 TV Special)
London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony: Isles of Wonder
18 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers