This presentation is part of the Empires Collection. However, if you are just interested in Queen Victoria's Empire at this time this makes an excellent stand-alone three-hour and thirty-nine-minute presentation.
Donald Sutherland narrates the series well. Do not strain yourself trying to guess where you heard the background music as it is original by composer Matthew Scott. The presentation is in soundbite form with several well-known scholars. I have most of their books. I do not approve of soundbites, but it is at least in chronological order. There is a lot of original pictures. The reenactment is mostly out of focus (I suppose it is on purpose.)
It helped me put everything in perspective. Even though I had read the writings from several of the key people in the empire I had trouble seeing how they puzzle this information together as a complete story of who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. At least we get to almost know the people that influenced Victoria and the Empire over her 64-year reign.
It is amazing the parallels of history to politics today. It makes you wonder when will we ever learn?
I have seen other video presentations of the time but never so well done.
Donald Sutherland narrates the series well. Do not strain yourself trying to guess where you heard the background music as it is original by composer Matthew Scott. The presentation is in soundbite form with several well-known scholars. I have most of their books. I do not approve of soundbites, but it is at least in chronological order. There is a lot of original pictures. The reenactment is mostly out of focus (I suppose it is on purpose.)
It helped me put everything in perspective. Even though I had read the writings from several of the key people in the empire I had trouble seeing how they puzzle this information together as a complete story of who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. At least we get to almost know the people that influenced Victoria and the Empire over her 64-year reign.
It is amazing the parallels of history to politics today. It makes you wonder when will we ever learn?
I have seen other video presentations of the time but never so well done.