@@PpedArt Socialism. Many early socialist thinkers like Robert Owen and even Karl Marx (who emigrated from Prussia) lived in UK. The first labor movement/trade unionist also existed in UK during the First Industrial Revolution.
Most people have no idea how significant the events that were represented here. These events SHAPED the modern world. It was the reason why we have modern olympics. It was the reason why we can all together watch this from all over the world, LIVE. Literally billions of people gave their sweat, tears, blood and lives to make the modern world possible. The Industrial Revolution is the point in time where human civilizations begun to break through the scientific barrier of theoretical to applications. Billions of lives literally became better because of it. I cannot stress enough how significant this is, and I am so glad that the organizers make it a point to really highlight it. Beautiful performances. Beautiful tribute. Thank you, London 2012.
We are the folks drumming in this video. Most of us didn't have any drumming experience, but many intense rehearsals got us there. Now, five years later, we're an active volunteer drumming group with 200 gigs behind us, playing the original Olympic buckets and carrying the legacy forward. But still welling up whenever we watch that video. A once-in-a-lifetime experience - thanks, Danny Boyle & co!
Pandemonium Drummers you did good too. I remember watching the opening ceremony on the day it happened and when this section played, I thought you guys were great!
12 years later still was the best opening ever to any Olympics games nostalgic memories from that summer of 2012 when I was 16 never forget it that night just amazing 3 weeks 🇬🇧
Kenneth Branagh's expression says it all. What an amazing ceremony. I'm not even a Brit, and I can feel my heart glow. With love from your American cousins - fratres in aeternum.
The merging of the rings is the most unexpectedly moving sight. I don't know why it brings tears every time I watch it, but that is the genius of Danny Boyle, the quiet hero of this entire event. Apparently he became the artistic director after a chance meeting with Sebastian Coe, one of those random crossings of paths that has unimaginable consequences. There are people with lives broken by wickedness whose spirits will have been lifted for a little while by this beautiful spectacle, and this may be the finest achievement of Danny Boyle, who was guided by principle rather than vanity when he refused a knighthood for his work on London 2012.
It's majestic. It's the scale, the volume of people, the steady measured way it comes together -and the magical array as it rains sparks all around. Later in the ceremony, Thomas Heatherwick was responsible for a similar forging of the petalled, cauldron-like Olympic torch - an absolute triumph of engineering. For anyone who's not seen it, there's a nice doco with Danny Boyle and the Olympic creative team where they come together _after_ the Olympics and chat about the path to the creation of the whole ceremony. It's a lovely inside-track. It might be an _Arena_ or a _South Bank Show_ special... something like that. Probably on YT. Worth your time.
Absolutely magnificent! The best opening ceremony in history. I have to admit that I find most opening ceremonies to be too long and tedious, but this one kept me glued to the screen and even choked up at some moments. A true testament to British creativity, ingenuity and imagination.
"Some countries have revolutions that change their whole nation. Britain had a revolution that changed the whole world. The Industrial Revolution rebooted human existence. Nothing would ever be the same again. "At the end of the 20th century, the British scientist Tim Berners-Lee gave the world a gift that would change things every bit as radically as the steam engine - the World Wide Web. This, he said, is for everyone. ‘This is for everyone’ is the theme of the Opening Ceremony - a celebration of the creativity, exuberance and, above all, the generosity of the British people. "There are no spectators. Everyone in the Stadium will be part of the magic. We’re here to celebrate the achievements of the British people and to do that we’ve put as many British people as we possibly can into the show. The volunteer dancers in one of our most spectacular sequences have been recruited from the National Health Service. "The Ceremony will take us through great revolutions in British society - the Industrial Revolution, the revolution of social attitudes that began in the 1960s and the digital revolution through which we’re living now. "Woven through it all, there runs a golden thread of purpose - the idea of Jerusalem - of a better world that can be built through the prosperity of industry, through the caring nation that built the welfare state, through the joyous energy of popular culture, through the dream of universal communication. "We can build Jerusalem. And it will be for everyone. " Danny Boyle Artistic Director London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony
The Beijing Olympics opening ceremony was very aesthetically pleasing but London will always be my top, the history, culture, diversity and symbolism always gets me emotional
This is still one of the most moving pieces of work I’ve ever seen in an opening ceremony. How the Industrial Revolution changed the face, landscape and diversity of London and Great Britain as a whole was powerful to watch.
Kenneth Branagh looking up in awe and says amazing said it all for me! Pandemonium is the best section of any opening ceremony ever in my humble opinion. Still beautiful to watch 8 years later.
I'm not British but I cried, it's like the moment of humanity, there are people suffering in the past for the better life we are living now, i wonder if the next generation will look at us like this. (for internet, for new contemporary arts, etc..)
Well in that case goodness that there are people like you that are compassionate and empathetic and understand what it means to be part of a race, not just a nation. We need more compassion.
@@mateosanfitz9625 I could probably disagree with that. We as a earth race today have invented all kinds of new progressive techs in the past 20 years. The internet, drones, renewable energy, more innovative skyscrapers, a lot space technology such as reusable space rockets. New and so much progress is being achieved all the time!
The shot of the incandescent rings merging and then blazing in a cascade of sparks, contrasted against the deep blue hazy light of the stadium, is one of the most incredible things ever shown on Television.
This is the most breathtaking , goosebump producing performance I have ever witnessed and I don’t believe it will ever be topped. The way the incredible music matches every scene perfectly is exceptional
I wasn't knowledgeable on the Industrial Revolution when I saw this for the first time. But after reading about Great Britain's complex history, full of ups and downs, both on the "wrong and right" sides of history, its with no doubt in me that the British came together and rose up to challenge and changed the tide of history. Each person with a duty to fulfill, yet they altogether succeeded in building one of the greatest nations in the world. I am Mexican, but I share your sense of pride for what you've built and how much it cost you to get there. Cheers!
4:25 This shot always strikes something in me. An anonymous worker, clad in gear that conceals all of their features, the glare of the fruits of their labours shining on their goggle lenses... Watching this live from the other side of the world all those years ago was an experience that I could never replicate.
How can anyone watch this and not get emotional. This truly is the best opening ceremony ever. Made for everyone, weather you understood the story or not. Britain could have showed off about its military and imperial history, and instead it was all about how regular (and amazing) people shaped the country and its achievements. We did ourselves proud I think.
I cannot think of any other combination of music and theatre that moves me as much as this, totally stunning. Congratulations to Danny Boyle and Underworld - makes you proud to be British!
I think Beijing is the best as a whole but this particular moment of the 2012 ceremony tops everything. Very Atmospheric and emotional. And the music is amazing.
I agree I always wish I'd got a ticket when I had the chance to,the first 15 minutes alone summed up how well the London Olympics were and I hope we get em again in my lifetime
Even being Irish I’m still so proud to witness amazing insight into history of Britain & fantastic achievements! We owe you debt of gratitude in world history particularly those who gave their lives in armed forces to peace in wars! God rest your souls we won’t ever forget you! 🇮🇪☘️🇨🇮
We've had our differences but we're blood brothers. I have Irish ancestry but I'm British, English. For me, this ceremony represented the islands as much as the UK nation
Thank you London for this amazing opening ceremomy that pays real tribute to mankind and our achievements giving meaning to what olympics are about. Unlike France. Love from Greece 🇬🇷
I'm a Spanish, and I think this is a spectacular olympic event most important in the world. I think London 2012 is the best Opening Ceremony. I've never seen an opening ceremony as this. Truly majestic, royal and great. I'm loving it. =D
Este cuadro es uno de los mejores de todas las ceremonias de los juegos Olímpicos, lleno de sentimiento, la banda sonora excepcional, la fotografía, la coreografía, sincronización y la composición visual ... Representando una etapa de la historia de la humanidad que cambio la vida de todos. Personas y maquinas unidos con único fin en común. Simplemente perfecto.
The symbolism displayed here is more subtle than people realise. The Olympic rings represent the world's continents, and in this piece on industrialisation, Britain itself forges the rings and joins them together. It is essentially reminding everyone that Britain built the modern world through the Industrial Revolution.
ok I just watched the Beijing and London opening ceremony back to back and I gotta say this was by far a more epic opening. Don't get me wrong the Beijing opening was phenomenal but this one almost brought me to tears and I'm not even British. I know it sounds silly but it's true.
This is absolutely amazing, the sheer amount of history and significance in this ceremony is amazing. From the Industrial Revolution to the people unifying to create and inspire, through tough love and work, that was what london was in the past. The city was and still is a landmark of innovation and triumph, they were the first to lead the world into the new era. Man all this in a ceremony, just amazing
Brings a tear to my eye every single time I watch this clip or hear this music. The opening ceremony and the 2012 Games will NEVER be beaten. Sensational.
I still fill with immense pride whenever I watch this. The entire Olympic Games were fantastic and whilst I look forward to future ones. Never will I feel the way I did in 2012. Thank you.
The way this story was put together for the world watching. The music combined with the editing of the various shots and the timing to put this all together. One of the best, well done.
Its hard to believe this was ten years ago now.. no matter how many times I watch this,it never fails to move me.What an incredible opening,surly the best ever,and something that will be incredibly hard to top.Such imagination and creativity, with such a powerful story! I salute everyone involved,its a remarkable piece of theatre,the greatest set change in history...this will always be my 'happy place' and I will continue to visit it for the rest of my life!
London had the greatest Olympic ceremonies of all time. Everyone was so wowed at Beijing in 2008 that London was so determined to at least keep in step with that display. They did that and then some.
Get real, if this had been done today in exactly the same fashion there would be hordes of nutters swarming the place whining about _wokeness_ because they saw a black guy wearing a suit.
@@Spudtron98I remember at the time the daily mail published a piece with a guy complaining that there were too many black people featured. It was so racist they took it down.
I remember watching the entire Pandemonium/Industrial Revolution section & the Olympic rings coming together & I was speechless. Incredible. One of the best things Britain has ever done. ❤
I'm not even British but this made me cry! thank you, your ancestors did well for your country and the whole humanity. "Sacrifices were made, but we never sacrifice in vain".
@@so-zc9nl Indeed, they started transatlantic slave trade, colonise many countries and exploiting their resources in order to industrials their economy at the expense of poor countries.
This is without doubt the best thing I will EVER see in the flesh.....even watching this back with the volume on full doesn't come close to comprehending the wall of noise that went on all the way through this piece............
I'm jealous of you guys Was in the UK at the time but couldn't be there live, was watching the ceremony live from Cambridge instead Best Opening Ceremony yet
What a night do of best memories will ever watching that so nostalgic gives me chill that year that Olympics was best ever will never forget it london 2012 so proud we pull it off 🇬🇧
During the opening ceremony many times the Olympic wheels were presented in various ways. But how it was done in London was the best. I think that these five sparkling rims eclipsed all the other opening ceremonies of these games.
Everything about this opening ceremony was brilliant, from the whole concept/staging up to the awe inspiring music by Underworld. Great that all cultures were represented, Sikhs etc. This is what makes our small island nation the greatest in the world, we have everyone, all cultures/nationalities that live together as one people..British. No where else on this planet has a demographic like London, it is unique, a world city. This whole ceremony was so British in it's concept from the Queen skydiving, Mr Bean, stiff upper lip stoicism to Peter Pan and the NHS all represented. Totally bonkers, so much so that a lot of non-Brits possibly would not have got it. Humour and pride. Shame the yanks didn't show it live and without adverts cutting in every 5 minutes. Feel sorry for all the ex pats in Long Beach who were watching it. Must have been annoying. Still there loss I guess. Well done to all involved.
What makes Britain great is the British, not all the people who aren't British but now live here with us. There is nothing wrong with us having pride in ourselves as a people. Almost all of our history predates the new arrivals after WW2, and that history is what made us great, and that history was defined by one people of one culture - the Britons. We do not need people from other cultures to validate ourselves or our nation, we were great before they came and we'd be great if they left. If having people of every colour and every faith living here were really our greatest achievement, then I doubt many people would really think we were all that great. What makes us great is the Industrial Revolution, the Enlightenment, liberal democracy, the empire, abolitionism, defeating fascism... you know, real stuff that actually matters in the world. It was native Britons who did this stuff, and there is no shame in us acknowledging it. We deserve pride as a people. You can take pride in multiculturalism if you want, but don't claim that is what makes *Britain* great, because by its very nature a multicultural Britain is a post-British Britain. British Britain, i.e. the Britain of native people with Anglo-Celtic culture, stands on its own merits.
The other day I sat and watched the opening ceremony, the whole 4 hours just out of curiosity and because I heard muse and Eric idle were in it (whoops, that was the closing ceremony) but my God, I just couldn't take my eyes off the screen. Everything was great. So well done. By the time the ring casting scene came I had forgotten what I was watching and when the rest of the rings showed up and I figured what was happening I couldn't help but giggle like an idiot with tears in my eyes. I had been completely transported into this scene. Thank you to everyone involved in the making of this story. And congratulations to those who reenacted it so beautifully.
The industrial revolution section of the opening ceremony was amazing and I thought was the best , the gradual one by one transformation of rural grass and plasters to a land of metal, steel iron and sulfur. The music was so surreal with the batting of drums filling the air all around you that builds and builds overtime till the Olympic rings are formed.
This can make anyone proud to be British. The industrial revolution changed Great Britain and was bought all over the world around the massive British Empire. The Industrial revolution started in Britain and dramatically revolutionised the world. It changed Australia, New Zealand, Canada, East America, etc. It reminds the world that us British are not a nation that is slowly being forgotten, are nation is a nation that has changed the world more than any country has, and likely ever will. What I love about this, is that everyone in the world was watching this, it tells the world, look what we did, and Jesus what a way to show it. I am British and will spend the rest of my life British, and I will ALWAYS be proud of that.
+VC YT , The Greeks still perform the beginning of the Torch Run . They light the first flame . So I would not be coming on here and say that they totally went bust . The Venues that they used in 2004 went bust and I will agree with you on that but The Olympic Ritual as revolved as it has become still remains the same and The Greeks still do those rituals and that is part of how the flame goes all over to the host country .
one of the most creative Olympic ceremony i ever witness when i was in my university... Literal goosebumps while watching the rich history of events that shaped the modern world.
This was unbelievably moving, watching it unfold before me on TV back in 2012. In 2019, it still fills me with pride. Thank you to all involved. Stunning.
I knew when the ring started to light up in the middle i knew was watching something amazing so iconic best thing that night was really special for the country what a opening
If ever I need to motivate myself, I watch this. An outstanding piece of theatre - pure emotive drama with a soundtrack to die for. Well done to all concerned.
When those rings come together it nearly puts me in tears every time I watch it. It was just SO good, so involving and so well executed. The image is something I will thank Danny Boyle for forever. Absolutely superb. You watch it and you feel all that work, all that dedication and transformation come to fruition with the joining of the rings. I loved this opening ceremony. Others have been flashier or involved more moving parts, but this one just brought the feels. Superb.
Watching this in 2024 and still get goosebumped. I am not even British. This is the greatest olympic opening ceremony ever.
Absolutely! I cannot see this particular sequence ever being bettered.
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
@@PpedArt Hammering the steel flat on the rings.
Beijing 2008?
@@PpedArtle travail,l'industrie,on a pas construit Londres 2:31 avec une pince à épiler ...
The Industrial Revolution began in the UK. This opening ceremony is so epic. Blood, sweat, and tears of so many contributed to the modern world.
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
@@PpedArthard work
@@PpedArt Socialism. Many early socialist thinkers like Robert Owen and even Karl Marx (who emigrated from Prussia) lived in UK. The first labor movement/trade unionist also existed in UK during the First Industrial Revolution.
No it’s not socialism, hammers are simply used to shape the red hot soft steel into the desired shape, not that deep
@@cmnkrr3167maybe your interpretation is just the simple one and his is more complex. That’s what makes the world great.
This is the greatest single piece of theatre that has ever occurred in an Olympic opening ceremony and I am very, very proud to have been there.
omg you were there i was born in 2011 omg i would have loved to be there your so lucky
Was just best thing ever seen on tv
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
I wasn't there, but I saw it live on TV and for that I am also very lucky
Couldn't agree more. Absolutely phenomenal
Most people have no idea how significant the events that were represented here. These events SHAPED the modern world. It was the reason why we have modern olympics. It was the reason why we can all together watch this from all over the world, LIVE. Literally billions of people gave their sweat, tears, blood and lives to make the modern world possible. The Industrial Revolution is the point in time where human civilizations begun to break through the scientific barrier of theoretical to applications. Billions of lives literally became better because of it. I cannot stress enough how significant this is, and I am so glad that the organizers make it a point to really highlight it. Beautiful performances. Beautiful tribute. Thank you, London 2012.
I do.
I do. I'm an American history teacher and I don't hesitate to say that England/GB/ UK is the best country in the history of the world.
SpookyKettle no, they’re all connected to England. The UK as you know, is a “nation of nations”.
have they sent you?
Alexander Hamilton I am British and proud!!! This was an outstanding production!
We are the folks drumming in this video. Most of us didn't have any drumming experience, but many intense rehearsals got us there. Now, five years later, we're an active volunteer drumming group with 200 gigs behind us, playing the original Olympic buckets and carrying the legacy forward. But still welling up whenever we watch that video. A once-in-a-lifetime experience - thanks, Danny Boyle & co!
Congratulations for the amazing work. Both for those in the stadium and those around the world, it was an unforgettable experience! 👏👏👏
Wow. Congrats
Pandemonium Drummers you did good too. I remember watching the opening ceremony on the day it happened and when this section played, I thought you guys were great!
I wonder if they asked you to perform because of your groups name!
katy m They weren’t professional drummers prior to the performance, so the name probably didn’t exist until they decided to pursue it as a group....
Just watched Paris opening and this continues to never be topped
I agree. I cannot see this particular sequence ever being bettered.
I agree. Cheers from Germany!
It’s the greatest opening ceremony of all time, nothing has come close.
Same
I love Underworld but Beijing 2008 was better
12 years later still was the best opening ever to any Olympics games nostalgic memories from that summer of 2012 when I was 16 never forget it that night just amazing 3 weeks 🇬🇧
How's the wife and kids 😂
@@therealugonnawhat?
"the best opening ever to any Olympics games" just in your deepest dreams
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
@@PpedArt Symbolise what? It's a steel workers main tool?
The atmospheric nature of this segment still gives me chills
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
Now imagine what it was like for us watching it live. I cried, there at the stadium.
The most beautiful and meaningful opening ceremony I've never seen.. Masterpiece thanks Danny Boyle
프랑스 올림픽 세레모니 보고 눈 정화하려고 옴…
😁🥰 И я!!!
영국 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 프랑스
@@applepie1443fr 😂😂😂
눈 시원하다 찌찌가 울자나
올림픽 시상식이 한국에서 그다지 높이 평가되지 않은 것 같습니다 x)
이 LGBT 캐리커처 이후 동성애 커뮤니티가 너무 낙인 찍히지 않기를 바랍니다 x)
Kenneth Branagh's expression says it all. What an amazing ceremony. I'm not even a Brit, and I can feel my heart glow. With love from your American cousins - fratres in aeternum.
This really was extraordinary wasn't it - coming back here today to remind myself of the sheer creativity of this whole performance.
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
The merging of the rings is the most unexpectedly moving sight. I don't know why it brings tears every time I watch it, but that is the genius of Danny Boyle, the quiet hero of this entire event. Apparently he became the artistic director after a chance meeting with Sebastian Coe, one of those random crossings of paths that has unimaginable consequences. There are people with lives broken by wickedness whose spirits will have been lifted for a little while by this beautiful spectacle, and this may be the finest achievement of Danny Boyle, who was guided by principle rather than vanity when he refused a knighthood for his work on London 2012.
I believe they met in a lift. Vorsprung durch Technik
It's majestic. It's the scale, the volume of people, the steady measured way it comes together -and the magical array as it rains sparks all around. Later in the ceremony, Thomas Heatherwick was responsible for a similar forging of the petalled, cauldron-like Olympic torch - an absolute triumph of engineering.
For anyone who's not seen it, there's a nice doco with Danny Boyle and the Olympic creative team where they come together _after_ the Olympics and chat about the path to the creation of the whole ceremony. It's a lovely inside-track. It might be an _Arena_ or a _South Bank Show_ special... something like that. Probably on YT. Worth your time.
@@221b-Maker-Streetthanks for the recommendation. I'll look out for the documentary.
@@thoughtfortheday7811yuh i might watch a lil just to see how they came up with this masterpiece ngl
No one should aspire to be ranked among that list of exploiters, villains and criminals.
Absolutely magnificent! The best opening ceremony in history. I have to admit that I find most opening ceremonies to be too long and tedious, but this one kept me glued to the screen and even choked up at some moments. A true testament to British creativity, ingenuity and imagination.
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
"Some countries have revolutions that change their whole nation. Britain had a revolution that changed the whole world. The Industrial Revolution rebooted human existence. Nothing would ever be the same again.
"At the end of the 20th century, the British scientist Tim Berners-Lee gave the world a gift that would change things every bit as radically as the steam engine - the World Wide Web. This, he said, is for everyone.
‘This is for everyone’ is the theme of the Opening Ceremony - a celebration of the creativity, exuberance and, above all, the generosity of the British people.
"There are no spectators. Everyone in the Stadium will be part of the magic. We’re here to celebrate the achievements of the British people and to do that we’ve put as many British people as we possibly can into the show. The volunteer dancers in one of our most spectacular sequences have been recruited from the National Health Service.
"The Ceremony will take us through great revolutions in British society - the Industrial Revolution, the revolution of social attitudes that began in the 1960s and the digital revolution through which we’re living now.
"Woven through it all, there runs a golden thread of purpose - the idea of Jerusalem - of a better world that can be built through the prosperity of industry, through the caring nation that built the welfare state, through the joyous energy of popular culture, through the dream of universal communication.
"We can build Jerusalem. And it will be for everyone.
"
Danny Boyle
Artistic Director
London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony
The Beijing Olympics opening ceremony was very aesthetically pleasing but London will always be my top, the history, culture, diversity and symbolism always gets me emotional
Unless you count the opening ceremony in Sochi, the best in history so far
Yes, colonisation and genocide got me emotional.
No athens is the best just my opinion:)
@@samank8628 Your stupidity made me emotional as well.
@@franzxaverscharwenka6596 I’m not surprised. Average society after all.
This is still one of the most moving pieces of work I’ve ever seen in an opening ceremony. How the Industrial Revolution changed the face, landscape and diversity of London and Great Britain as a whole was powerful to watch.
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
This always has been and always be my favourite opening ceremony of all time. Everytime I watch it i cry ❤️😭
Then we have one from an alternate universe that happened yesterday. Total opposite
Every few months I’ll watch this again. Absolutely spectacular.
again and again and again
Kenneth Branagh looking up in awe and says amazing said it all for me! Pandemonium is the best section of any opening ceremony ever in my humble opinion. Still beautiful to watch 8 years later.
He's playing Isembard Kingdom Brunel
@@esidarasun8151 Britain’s greatest engineer 🇬🇧
This video is kind of nostalgic I remember watching this back in 2012 and being amazed by the scale and music etc
Nothing will ever surpass this🇬🇧
After catching a bit of the French opening ceremony, I've come back here to gloat 🤣🇬🇧
Makes you incredibly proud to be from this isle 🇬🇧
Nothing will beat it
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
I'm not British but I cried, it's like the moment of humanity, there are people suffering in the past for the better life we are living now, i wonder if the next generation will look at us like this. (for internet, for new contemporary arts, etc..)
We stand on the shoulders of giants.
Well in that case goodness that there are people like you that are compassionate and empathetic and understand what it means to be part of a race, not just a nation. We need more compassion.
Me too, i cried with the opening and closing ceremony.
@@mateosanfitz9625 I could probably disagree with that. We as a earth race today have invented all kinds of new progressive techs in the past 20 years. The internet, drones, renewable energy, more innovative skyscrapers, a lot space technology such as reusable space rockets. New and so much progress is being achieved all the time!
Internet is destroying the society. Let our average folks enjoy while it lasts.
The shot of the incandescent rings merging and then blazing in a cascade of sparks, contrasted against the deep blue hazy light of the stadium, is one of the most incredible things ever shown on Television.
When those rings were fused together and the sparks flew, my skin immediately got goosebumps from emotion! I was there live!
Me too!
I got chillbumps watching it on TV thousands of miles away. I can't imagine how thrilling it must have been in person
This is the most breathtaking , goosebump producing performance I have ever witnessed and I don’t believe it will ever be topped. The way the incredible music matches every scene perfectly is exceptional
I wasn't knowledgeable on the Industrial Revolution when I saw this for the first time. But after reading about Great Britain's complex history, full of ups and downs, both on the "wrong and right" sides of history, its with no doubt in me that the British came together and rose up to challenge and changed the tide of history. Each person with a duty to fulfill, yet they altogether succeeded in building one of the greatest nations in the world. I am Mexican, but I share your sense of pride for what you've built and how much it cost you to get there. Cheers!
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
@@PpedArt the labourers that made the machines of production and operated them. Without them we would have no machines.
4:25
This shot always strikes something in me. An anonymous worker, clad in gear that conceals all of their features, the glare of the fruits of their labours shining on their goggle lenses...
Watching this live from the other side of the world all those years ago was an experience that I could never replicate.
How can anyone watch this and not get emotional. This truly is the best opening ceremony ever. Made for everyone, weather you understood the story or not. Britain could have showed off about its military and imperial history, and instead it was all about how regular (and amazing) people shaped the country and its achievements. We did ourselves proud I think.
Absolutely agree. I still come back to it years later...
Had to come back to watch this after yesterday!
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
Same. To recover from that absolute filth that Paris provided.
I cannot think of any other combination of music and theatre that moves me as much as this, totally stunning. Congratulations to Danny Boyle and Underworld - makes you proud to be British!
One of the greatest opening ceremony in history of all times. Showed us what we humans can achieve/build everything just from nothing.
Beijing was majestic and a masterpiece in execution, but this had emotion and feeling and told a story...magnificent
I think Beijing is the best as a whole but this particular moment of the 2012 ceremony tops everything. Very Atmospheric and emotional. And the music is amazing.
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
This gives me goosebumps. Its just incredible...so so proud. We did good.
I agree I always wish I'd got a ticket when I had the chance to,the first 15 minutes alone summed up how well the London Olympics were and I hope we get em again in my lifetime
Yes, you did very well! It was a great opening ceremony and great Olympic Games in general!
Greetings from Germany
LOVxxE we did hun we did so good
Truly I thought it was brilliant
The greatest Opening Ceremonies ever in the history of opening ceremonies I mean it was so epic and fun
Even being Irish I’m still so proud to witness amazing insight into history of Britain & fantastic achievements! We owe you debt of gratitude in world history particularly those who gave their lives in armed forces to peace in wars! God rest your souls we won’t ever forget you! 🇮🇪☘️🇨🇮
Ireland was apart of Britain at one point, even during the industrial revolution, you are apart of this too.
We've had our differences but we're blood brothers. I have Irish ancestry but I'm British, English. For me, this ceremony represented the islands as much as the UK nation
🇬🇧❤️🇮🇪
Like if you came after watching the French ceremony 😅
Yup 😭 ts was horrific 🤣🤣
For a high school production I didn't think it was too bad!
2012 London rocks
Yes!😂
Too repair the eyes ..😂
1:02 I got goose bumps here and I still can't forget industrial revolution part of the opening ceremony of the London olympics....
Every time I hear that stunning piece of music and see those golden rings floating across that truly epic stadium I just want to cry like a baby.
Thank you London for this amazing opening ceremomy that pays real tribute to mankind and our achievements giving meaning to what olympics are about. Unlike France. Love from Greece 🇬🇷
I'm a Spanish, and I think this is a spectacular olympic event most important in the world. I think London 2012 is the best Opening Ceremony. I've never seen an opening ceremony as this. Truly majestic, royal and great. I'm loving it. =D
Muy ~Bien ..Muchissimas Grahias
Perdon por mi parables
Thank
you....Chris..East Sussex..England..UK
2008 beijing
@@kosenzheng5989 2012 was better
@@kosenzheng5989 that was nice, but way too mechanical and precise, looked like they're not humans but machines .so that's that
@@identidem I just dont see it the way you do
Watching this after the Paris 2024 opening ceremony as a reminder on how it’s done, properly.
Este cuadro es uno de los mejores de todas las ceremonias de los juegos Olímpicos, lleno de sentimiento, la banda sonora excepcional, la fotografía, la coreografía, sincronización y la composición visual ... Representando una etapa de la historia de la humanidad que cambio la vida de todos. Personas y maquinas unidos con único fin en común. Simplemente perfecto.
Artistically and accurately captures the miracle the UK brought to the world. Just astonishing and beautiful.
やっぱりコレ見るとパリより感動するなぁ。
The symbolism displayed here is more subtle than people realise. The Olympic rings represent the world's continents, and in this piece on industrialisation, Britain itself forges the rings and joins them together. It is essentially reminding everyone that Britain built the modern world through the Industrial Revolution.
I thought they were the rings of Sauron? My bad, just the vibe I got....
That's arrogant.
@@keaponlaffin6737 Arrogance can often be deserved.
Lmao, study a history book.
@@keaponlaffin6737the truth
ok I just watched the Beijing and London opening ceremony back to back and I gotta say this was by far a more epic opening. Don't get me wrong the Beijing opening was phenomenal but this one almost brought me to tears and I'm not even British. I know it sounds silly but it's true.
The Beijing opening had meticulous, beautiful, precision - London 2012 had passion, heart, and soul. 🤍
This is absolutely amazing, the sheer amount of history and significance in this ceremony is amazing. From the Industrial Revolution to the people unifying to create and inspire, through tough love and work, that was what london was in the past. The city was and still is a landmark of innovation and triumph, they were the first to lead the world into the new era. Man all this in a ceremony, just amazing
This will always be the best for me. best music especially. Everyone who was involved should be immensely proud.
12 years later and I see get emotional watching this
Same here
프랑스 올림픽 개막식은 악몽이었지만
여기에서 다시 치유를 받는다. 런던 ❤
The greatest artistic presentation in the history of mankind!!!!
Brings a tear to my eye every single time I watch this clip or hear this music. The opening ceremony and the 2012 Games will NEVER be beaten. Sensational.
Came to see this after watching Paris 2024 opening ceremony
No one wants watching Paris 2024💩🗑
me too
I still fill with immense pride whenever I watch this. The entire Olympic Games were fantastic and whilst I look forward to future ones. Never will I feel the way I did in 2012. Thank you.
The way this story was put together for the world watching. The music combined with the editing of the various shots and the timing to put this all together. One of the best, well done.
그 어떤 올림픽개막식도 런던올림픽 개막식을 넘을수 없음..
🇰🇷
@@DITTO_YUBEEN1105솔직히 런던 개막식은 서울도 못비빔..ㅋㅋ
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
@@PpedArt영국의 산업혁명 당시 제철소의 노동자들을 의미한 연출으로 보입니댜.
@@PpedArt I think it's just them welding the rings into place.
Simply stunning. Had a tear in my eye when the ring started to rise. British creativity at its most wonderful 😊
2012 London: Industrial Revolution
2024 Paris: Social Devolution
Yes! This is what i expect from Olympic opening. Overwhelming piece of art, i hope i would've been there.
My absolute favorite Opening Ceremony. It gives me chills ❤
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
Still pretty sure that this was the best show in human history. Cant wait to see the world united like these 5 rings...
Exist64 me too I wish we were united
💀
Its 2020 now I'm sure this was a ritual to bring the virus into manifestation
Unfortunately Fear has united the world now more than ever before. Fear making us blindly adjust to unreasonable measures. Not an ideal way of unity.
I think Sauron said the same thing....Its kind of his aesthete here.
Its hard to believe this was ten years ago now.. no matter how many times I watch this,it never fails to move me.What an incredible opening,surly the best ever,and something that will be incredibly hard to top.Such imagination and creativity, with such a powerful story! I salute everyone involved,its a remarkable piece of theatre,the greatest set change in history...this will always be my 'happy place' and I will continue to visit it for the rest of my life!
I doubt it will ever be beaten. Nobody wants to spend that kind of money anymore.
London had the greatest Olympic ceremonies of all time. Everyone was so wowed at Beijing in 2008 that London was so determined to at least keep in step with that display. They did that and then some.
And all for a third of the money the Chinese spent
France 🤣 ffs. THIS is how you do it. The timing of the rings meeting at the end is phenomenal
Diversity without 'wokeness'. And not a single boat in sight. Proud to be British 🇬🇧
Yes jemma same here
Get real, if this had been done today in exactly the same fashion there would be hordes of nutters swarming the place whining about _wokeness_ because they saw a black guy wearing a suit.
Pssst. David Beckham arrived by boat, so The Thames was included. And there was a model of the Windrush too. But, no wokery as you say.
@@Spudtron98I remember at the time the daily mail published a piece with a guy complaining that there were too many black people featured. It was so racist they took it down.
I watched this on TV age 12, will never forget it
I remember watching the entire Pandemonium/Industrial Revolution section & the Olympic rings coming together & I was speechless. Incredible. One of the best things Britain has ever done. ❤
I'm not even British but this made me cry! thank you, your ancestors did well for your country and the whole humanity. "Sacrifices were made, but we never sacrifice in vain".
Their ancestors ruined the world
@@so-zc9nl Indeed, they started transatlantic slave trade, colonise many countries and exploiting their resources in order to industrials their economy at the expense of poor countries.
This is without doubt the best thing I will EVER see in the flesh.....even watching this back with the volume on full doesn't come close to comprehending the wall of noise that went on all the way through this piece............
You're telling me! I was inside the tor at the time!
Bet there was an incredible view from up there.....
I'm jealous of you guys
Was in the UK at the time but couldn't be there live, was watching the ceremony live from Cambridge instead
Best Opening Ceremony yet
Increible que ya pasaron 11 años,que nostalgia,mis primeros juegos olimpicos,nunca los olvidare
What a night do of best memories will ever watching that so nostalgic gives me chill that year that Olympics was best ever will never forget it london 2012 so proud we pull it off 🇬🇧
Can't beat this masterpiece
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
During the opening ceremony many times the Olympic wheels were presented in various ways. But how it was done in London was the best. I think that these five sparkling rims eclipsed all the other opening ceremonies of these games.
this still gives me chills
Everything about this opening ceremony was brilliant, from the whole concept/staging up to the awe inspiring music by Underworld. Great that all cultures were represented, Sikhs etc. This is what makes our small island nation the greatest in the world, we have everyone, all cultures/nationalities that live together as one people..British. No where else on this planet has a demographic like London, it is unique, a world city. This whole ceremony was so British in it's concept from the Queen skydiving, Mr Bean, stiff upper lip stoicism to Peter Pan and the NHS all represented. Totally bonkers, so much so that a lot of non-Brits possibly would not have got it. Humour and pride. Shame the yanks didn't show it live and without adverts cutting in every 5 minutes. Feel sorry for all the ex pats in Long Beach who were watching it. Must have been annoying. Still there loss I guess. Well done to all involved.
YES :DDD
Come visit Toronto sometime. :)
What makes Britain great is the British, not all the people who aren't British but now live here with us. There is nothing wrong with us having pride in ourselves as a people. Almost all of our history predates the new arrivals after WW2, and that history is what made us great, and that history was defined by one people of one culture - the Britons. We do not need people from other cultures to validate ourselves or our nation, we were great before they came and we'd be great if they left.
If having people of every colour and every faith living here were really our greatest achievement, then I doubt many people would really think we were all that great. What makes us great is the Industrial Revolution, the Enlightenment, liberal democracy, the empire, abolitionism, defeating fascism... you know, real stuff that actually matters in the world. It was native Britons who did this stuff, and there is no shame in us acknowledging it. We deserve pride as a people.
You can take pride in multiculturalism if you want, but don't claim that is what makes *Britain* great, because by its very nature a multicultural Britain is a post-British Britain. British Britain, i.e. the Britain of native people with Anglo-Celtic culture, stands on its own merits.
Some Guy ok boomer
music by Underworld. Too on the nose, don't you think? This is how Sauron would do the Mordor Olympics....
The other day I sat and watched the opening ceremony, the whole 4 hours just out of curiosity and because I heard muse and Eric idle were in it (whoops, that was the closing ceremony) but my God, I just couldn't take my eyes off the screen. Everything was great. So well done. By the time the ring casting scene came I had forgotten what I was watching and when the rest of the rings showed up and I figured what was happening I couldn't help but giggle like an idiot with tears in my eyes. I had been completely transported into this scene. Thank you to everyone involved in the making of this story. And congratulations to those who reenacted it so beautifully.
to be honest your giggling gushing over this nightmare does sound quite idiotic...
@@chrisharmon2730 and you sound like a moron...
TAKE A BOW, ENGLAND....you deserve it. You're the best country in the history of the world. -- an American history teacher.
Love Underworld's song. Captured the moment magnificently
파리 올림픽 개막식 보고 왔으면 개추ㅋㅋ
파리는 역대 최악의 개막식이었다ㅋㅋ
The industrial revolution section of the opening ceremony was amazing and I thought was the best , the gradual one by one transformation of rural grass and plasters to a land of metal, steel iron and sulfur. The music was so surreal with the batting of drums filling the air all around you that builds and builds overtime till the Olympic rings are formed.
I am Aussie, that's the greatest opening Olympics ever.
This can make anyone proud to be British. The industrial revolution changed Great Britain and was bought all over the world around the massive British Empire. The Industrial revolution started in Britain and dramatically revolutionised the world. It changed Australia, New Zealand, Canada, East America, etc. It reminds the world that us British are not a nation that is slowly being forgotten, are nation is a nation that has changed the world more than any country has, and likely ever will. What I love about this, is that everyone in the world was watching this, it tells the world, look what we did, and Jesus what a way to show it. I am British and will spend the rest of my life British, and I will ALWAYS be proud of that.
Paul Siozos Don't be rude to him, he just exposed his point of view. Everyone has his own reason to be proud of his country, and that's great.
David Ryan I am a proud American, and I think the British have a lot to be proud of! Will always have the utmost respect for the UK.
Paul Siozos -till they went bust.
+VC YT ,
The Greeks still perform the beginning of the Torch Run . They light the first flame .
So I would not be coming on here and say that they totally went bust .
The Venues that they used in 2004 went bust and I will agree with you on that but
The Olympic Ritual as revolved as it has become still remains the same and
The Greeks still do those rituals and that is part of how the flame goes all over to the host country .
you live of the past... shame on you
one of the most creative Olympic ceremony i ever witness when i was in my university... Literal goosebumps while watching the rich history of events that shaped the modern world.
This was unbelievably moving, watching it unfold before me on TV back in 2012. In 2019, it still fills me with pride. Thank you to all involved. Stunning.
Best opening I've ever seen. genuine representation of their nation pride and history..well done UK
I was 18 when this happened, I'm 29 now. How time has flown by.
I knew when the ring started to light up in the middle i knew was watching something amazing so iconic best thing that night was really special for the country what a opening
Watching the 2024 Paris opening ceremony has brought be back here … not a patch on this
I'm American, and even I loved it. THAT'S WAS EPIC. 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
Proper opening ceremony ❤
Aye, proper.
Goosebumps everything.
one of the rare times I’m actually proud of my country lol
Why rare??
This and the Bond skit were my favourite two sections of the entire thing.
Take notes, France! This is how you do an opening ceremony.
What does the hammer movement symbolize?
The USA is taking notes for 2028
Hey France , you never had a tought about bîlions tv viewers.
The history of Great Britain is just phenomenal, what nation which was so small and achieved so much is just mind boggling. Rule Britannia!
Onward and upward
Best olympic performance of all time.
If ever I need to motivate myself, I watch this. An outstanding piece of theatre - pure emotive drama with a soundtrack to die for. Well done to all concerned.
When those rings come together it nearly puts me in tears every time I watch it. It was just SO good, so involving and so well executed. The image is something I will thank Danny Boyle for forever. Absolutely superb. You watch it and you feel all that work, all that dedication and transformation come to fruition with the joining of the rings.
I loved this opening ceremony. Others have been flashier or involved more moving parts, but this one just brought the feels.
Superb.
exactly
+1
Had to cleanse my palate after watching that Paris opening ceremony
Watching this moment live on TV was incredible