The Last Overland (2022)
GRAMMAR PRODUCTIONS
Grammar Productions recreated one of the 20th century’s most iconic and challenging road journeys.
The 4-part series is now available exclusive on Free Documentary Watch here.
Alex’s best-selling account of journey published by Michael O’Mara is on sale here.
IN 1955, six young men set out to make history by being the first to drive 19,000 miles overland from London to Singapore. Many had tried, all had failed. But after six months of hard slog this team finally made it, and a bedazzled young BBC producer, David Attenborough, commissioned a TV series to share their incredible adventure with a post-war-weary British public. The book written about the journey – The First Overland – has never been out of print, and has inspired generations of adventurers since.
Many years later, (now Sir) David paid tribute in a special programme to mark “this wonderful journey”. It was a journey, however, he was sure “could not be made again today.” Attenborough’s words planted a seed in the mind of 87 year old Tim Slessor, one of the surviving ‘First Overlanders’, who was determined to prove otherwise. In 2019, backed by a team from across the world, Tim finally got his chance.
So began what’s been called “the mother of all road trips”, an audacious, madcap and heart-warming adventure in a 64 year old car crossing 23 countries, in which absolutely nothing went to plan right from the very start.
The Last Burma Star (2025)
GRAMMAR PRODUCTIONS
Levison Wood and Alex Bescoby are on an urgent mission to honour the last surviving veterans from Burma.
The film is now available to watch on Sky History. Watch here.
In the darkest hours of World War 2, thousands of men and women from Myanmar (Burma) risked their lives fighting a brutal war for Britain against the Japanese. In bitterly fought battles at Imphal, Kohima and Rangoon, their sacrifice helped turn the tide of the war in Asia. But today in Britain, it’s a story that’s been almost completely forgotten.
To mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, two old friends are determined to change that. Levison Wood and Alex Bescoby - stars of Channel 4’s ‘Walking the Nile’ and and ‘The Last Overland’ - are on an urgent mission to honour the last surviving veterans from Burma - before it’s too late
Both Levison and Alex have a deep connection to this story: Levison’s grandfather fought to liberate Burma from the Japanese, and Alex spent almost a decade living and working in Myanmar as a historian and filmmaker.
Their journey takes them to India, following in the footsteps of Levison’s grandfather, and unfolding the incredible story of the little-known WW2 Burma campaign, including the huge contributions of Commonwealth and indigenous soldiers.
But as they travel, they have another mission to complete. Back in London, before setting off, they receive news of a WW2 veteran living in the Chin hills in Myanmar. He fought alongside the British and is now engulfed by the tragic civil war in Myanmar. Now, aged 100, he still treasures his link to king and country.
Levison and Alex are now determined to find and thank this brave man - to give him the Burma Star medal he never received, as well as an incredible and unexpected personal message from His Majesty King Charles III. Via an intermediary they arrange to meet in northeastern India, away from the danger of the civil war.
Can they pass on a grateful nation’s thanks, before it’s too late?
Forgotten Allies
GRAMMAR PRODUCTIONS
In the darkest hours of World War 2, thousands of men from Burma gave their lives fighting a brutal war for Britain against the Japanese, and to carry out the most successful guerrilla campaign of the war. But after the Allied victory, Burma sank into isolation, dictatorship and civil war, and Britain forgot the bravery of these men.
Now only a handful of veterans remain – will they get the recognition they deserve before it’s too late? One determined band of Brits are in a battle against time to make sure they do.
The film’s world premiere will take place at the National Army Museum on June 12th 2019 - tickets available here - and will be released on the History Channel in the UK in late 2019.
The production of Forgotten Allies to date was supported by our logistical partner Sampan Travel – for more information contact info@grammar-productions.com
We Were Kings
GRAMMAR PRODUCTIONS
In 1885 the British army invaded Burma and deposed its King. He died in exile, ending a thousand years of monarchy. The royal family vanished, and the country was plunged into war and the longest military dictatorship of modern times.
But after a century of silence they are back, and they’re on a journey to bring the family – past and present – back together. Filmed through three years of seismic change in Burma, this is the story of a family and a country emerging from the darkness.
The film was the winner of the £80,000 Whicker’s World Foundation Funding Award, the largest ever single prize awarded in UK documentary film. The film received its world premiere at the British Library in London in September 2017, and its TV broadcast debut was on the History Channel in December 2017. It has been recently broadcast across 15 countries by Discovery Asia. For distribution enquiries, please contact TVF International. For screenings announcements, please click here.
Who Stole Burma's Royal Ruby?
GRAMMAR PRODUCTIONS
When British soldiers conquered Burma in 1885, they have the last king hours to pack. Many of his treasures - heirlooms from a millennium of monarchy - were seized and sent to Britain. But the most precious, an enormous ruby, disappeared. Who took it, and where is it now? Alex embarks on a historic whodunnit, accompanied by the heir to Burma's throne, U Soe Win.
This is a companion BBC News piece to a longer BBC article, which you can read here.
With the team at Grammar Productions, Alex is bringing his passion for history and great stories to life through film. You can learn more about their work at www.grammar-productions.com, or see selected projects above.