Benedict Cumberbatch & Louise Brealey read letters from wartime lovers
267,554
Published 2021-04-30
In 1943, Chris Barker was serving as a signalman in North Africa when he decided to brighten the long days of war by writing to a former work colleague, Bessie Moore. The unexpected warmth of Bessie’s reply changed their lives forever. They married in 1945.
Originally read at the Union Chapel, London in March 2019.
All Comments (21)
-
OK, you *know* it's a good love letter when it makes a reader blush 75 years later. Well done, Bessie, WELL done....
-
That's it. It's my "vital, vibrant spot" from now on....
-
Finally, Sherlock and Molly together at last
-
Imagine knowing in 70 years time someone will be reading your private correspondence out loud to an audience
-
I'm 71 and I miss this. Thirty years ago, in an old wooden chest in an abandoned shed on family property, I found a few letters written in the 50's by a distant ancestor. They spoke of ordinary daily dealings of that time. I cherish these and regret that our age of technology has made letters obsolete. To be able to look back in history with actual written words is a gift to treasure.
-
Louise Brealey is such a talent. She plays such diverse characters and nails every one of them.
-
"Talk about untapped resources" brilliant
-
How wonderful they went on to get married and raise a family! Together for 50+ years!
-
Bessie Moore had a beautiful style of writing, and a delightful, open expression of self. Chris Barker, for all the trauma he experienced, seems to have been steadfast and loving. He's coming home after at least two years, and he's trying to figure out how to give everyone who loves him as much time and attention as possible. I hope they had a long, loving marriage.
-
This is exactly how I felt about my lover at sixteen years old who would become my husband thirty years later. ❤️💫❤️. I feel the same today at 61.
-
wow I can imagine how hard it was for Louise to read those early lines with Ben looking & smiling at her. It's really Molly with her lipstick on.
-
"you have to be abroad. you have to be really truly hermetically sealed off from your intimates, from your home, to realize what a gift this going home is"
-
Oh god! She looks like nervous reading to him😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 she represents us
-
Lordy. I didn’t think anything about Benedict Cumberbatch could get sexier, but the shots of him so intently watching the woman reading her letter, he’s positively smoldering.
-
Oh, this was so marvelous!! The difference in what a woman will open up and tell a man and what a man will tell a woman is so funny. “If I were there you wouldn’t need any blankets.” “Many people will be wanting time with me, I know you understand.” I loved having these two reading the letters. They’re darling together.
-
Where are my SHERLOLLY fans out there?! This one is my most favorite interaction of Ben and Loo in Letters live ❤❤❤
-
The man sounds like an aloof jerk.... until you remember that he's a soldier at war taken in as a POW and is just concentrating on getting back home finally after some years. This was a wonderful reading!
-
I only found 'Letters Live' today... how have I never heard of this channel or production? These are fantastic.
-
Gah they are always so adorable doing chris and bessie. they need to do a live action miniseries based on these!
-
It's been said that the younger generation always think they've invented sex, yet Bessie sounds quite the hottie. Chris, don't you pass up a good thing!
