Word on the Web: Corrie Tram Crash

We take a look at what’s been said about the Coronation Street tram crash from around the Internet – and also what the cast and crew have had to say too.

We take a look at what’s been said about the Coronation Street tram crash from around the Internet – and also what the cast and crew have had to say too.

“We’ve been planning the 50th anniversary for about a year, and some of us on the writing team were more keen to actually do it low key, and to have very quiet kind of stories, and maybe just Ken doing a little speech in the pub or something like that.

“But our producer, bless him, persuaded us that what we should do, and what we have done, and what we will see from now on, is that we have actually taken three very big stories and built them to a series of climaxes. Then we have dropped a tram and a massive explosion on the street.” – Joe Turner, Coronation Street writer speaking to the BBC

“Coronation Street was amazing – I watched it frame by frame and couldn’t fault it! Best TV stunt EVER!! Can’t wait for the rest of the week!” – Caroline Callerhan on Corrie’s Facebook page

“Whilst there was probably a need for some CGI I think they could have got away with less, which may have made it feel less like an effect.” – Charlie Wells on TV Forum

“This is the biggest thing I’ve every seen on Corrie.” – Charlene Emma Marie Hale on Corrie’s Facebook page.

“I lolled at the tram” – poster on ‘Fitlads’

“Kudos to Corrie for such an ambitious series of stunts and effects. Some of the effects were a little hokey IMO, but on the whole it did feel like there were some adrenaline-fuelled moments as the enormity of it sunk in. The reactions and the consequences are going to be far more powerful than the bangs and whizzes. That’s where Corrie’s strength lies.” – Mel O Drama on SoapChat

“Totally unrealistic how all those children came out of that house alive. Not even unconscious with smoke inhalation. God knows their are too many children in Corrie at the moment. Perfect opportunity for a culling.” – Vicky Bateman on Corrie’s Facebook page.

“Apparently something big is happening in Corrie tonight… William Roache is acting for the first time since 1983.” – Poster on ATV Today forum

“When I saw these episodes it was one of the happiest days of my life. I think when [current Corrie producer] Phil Collinson was born a wicked fairy injected some of my blood into his veins.” – Tony Warren, Coronation Street creator in the Manchester Evening News, newspaper

“I thought it was pretty damned good myself. Lots of nice shots of debris falling – nice to see bricks and wood used as opposed to the usual ‘fuller’s earth’ and rubber chips being basted out of air cannons you see in other soap explosions. Everything in the practical effects seemed to be impressively substantive. The bodies being flung back by the explosion was really violent – real gusto.” – Gavin Scott on TV Forum

“I know they said the ambulances were held up but didn’t it take rather a long time for any ambulances or fire engines to reach them? A bit far fetched with only one doctor trying to treat everybody!” – Myra Fowler on Corrie’s Facebook page.

“Wasn’t sure if I should laugh at Rita getting trampled on by pick n mix” – Pamela on SoapChat

“The CGI didn’t look too bad on ITV1 SD, although the rear end of the carriage made everyone in my house laugh. If they’d cut into that sequence about 5 frames later and got rid of the tram kicking its rear end up like a dinosaur, it would have been much better. They could even have slowed the second bit down, and had it balancing dangerously, before finally giving in to gravity and taking out the Kabin.” – Trival Matters on TV Forum

“Another brilliant episode of Corrie lastnight and so life like. Poor Gary Windass was obviously having flashbacks of his tour in Afghanistan after seeing all the structural damage and fires after the tram was derailed, a brilliant storyline. :)” Pauline Phillips on Corrie’s Facebook page

“I feel so proud to be part of a team that can produce something like that. It’s one of the most dramatic things I’ve ever seen, not just on Coronation Street but in any drama.” – William Roache, Ken Barlow in Coronation Street, in the Manchester Evening News, newspaper.

“I’m normally the first to criticise melodramatic stories, but for some reason I’m really enjoying the John Stape storyline. Although totally OTT,I think the writers have been very inventive with all the twists and turns-and John makes a refreshing change from the usual soap “baddies”.” – DJB on the official ITV Crossroads forum

“The size of that explosion? [In the bar] No one could have survived.” – poster on ‘Fitlads’

“I was in the odd position of not having seen it before. Normally we get DVDs in advance, but because they were trying to keep as much secrecy as possible about it, I actually had the thrill of sitting with my family last night with a very nice bottle of wine and enjoying it as it went out!” – Joe Turner, Coronation Street writer speaking to the BBC

“Terrible acting from some of the cast. The CGI was appalling. Victoria Wood will be penning a new episode of Acorn Antiques over it as I speak” – poster on ATV Today forum

“I think the whole production team got away with murder I watched purely because, well out of interest actually. The preceding 1st episode was more convincing to be honest, I remember the original train crash and in those days the production crew did not have shed loads of cash to throw at it.” – poster on ‘Fitlads’

“Watching the coronation street aftermath!!! Genius!” – Martin Ramsdin on Facebook

“I clearly remember watching the first episode of Corrie with my mum when I was 10. There was something so different about it. It was unusual to see Northerners on TV at that time too. The promise of it continuing was just heaven as there wasn’t anything else like it.” – Julie Walters to the TV Times. Interesting to note Julie is from the West Midlands and ATV never screened Corrie in 1960 or the early episodes. ATV Midlands broadcast Corrie from episode 25 onwards – so make of that what you will.

“I thought the crash was very well made. Obviously, there was some dramatic licence with the inital explosion at The Joinery.  The point of view shot of the tram heading for the shop was particularly good as was the shot within the shop of the tram crashing into it. Wasn’t too sure about the second carriage flipping up into the air and crashing onto The Kabin, though.  That was quite Hollywood (and OTT) in its way.  I thought the final shot was very poignant, though.  The one remaining original character, Ken, standing very prominently among the other cowering residents looking at the devastation.” Aston on the official ITV Crossroads forum

“It would have looked better if the back of the tram had swung round to demolish the Kabin rather than doing a rather bad impersonation of the sinking Titanic” – Stevek2 on TV Forum

“They should have just had the explosion, the tram crash was absolutely dire.” – Joanna H on SoapChat

“Why all this drama over a ‘live’ episode?  So, it’s live. So, there will be some mistakes. All drama on TV was live once a upon a time, this isn’t something new. If the show goes out live without ONE mistake, firstly it will be a bloody miracle (excuse the language) and secondly what would be the point? They may as well film it. God (blasphemy!), I hope these ‘ACTORS’ never have to suffer the live stage and will always have the comfort of recorded TV drama and comedy.” – Castlewich on the official ITV Crossroads forum.

“I feel very shocked as I was expecting it to be how I thought but it was more than that. It was epic!” – Andy Hunter on SoapChat

“What in the name of goodness was the sound it made? [The tram lifting] It sounded like a roar. Honestly, it had a sort of Jurassic Park feel to it, the roaring noise?” – Scottish on TV Forum

“No one seems to care about the passengers on the tram? They’ve been forgotten” – Jazle303 via email

“I think the reaction of the characters was more than enough, which proves you don’t need iffy CGI to create a moment, as the original with Ena proves.” Tony on SoapChat

“What I really was impressed by was Graeme Harpers directing. Fantastic lighting, fantastic camera shots, fantastic tension building up by quick cutting. Very, very well done!” – Mr Stabby on TV Forum