If you are looking for a biography of Queen Victoria, this is probably not what you are looking for in a documentary. While part one and two talk some about her and her husband, Albert, it doesn't discuss her children or personal life in any detail. Instead, the focus is squarely on the progression of the empire-building that occurred during Victoria's reign. Among the many topics covered are the Crimean War, expansion in India, the war in the Sudan, the acquisition of the Suez Canal, the Boer War and the founding of Rhodesia.
This is an odd period, as the country frequently changed from Prime Minister Gladstone to Disraeli (and vice-versa) during her reign and both had almost opposite views on war and empire. Gladstone was more of a liberal and was NOT in favor of wars and empire-building, while Disraeli was 100% committed to pretty much anything to increase the size and strength of the empire.
All in all, a very interesting mini-series narrated by Donald Sutherland (an odd choice, as he's Canadian, not British). A quality production in every way.
This is an odd period, as the country frequently changed from Prime Minister Gladstone to Disraeli (and vice-versa) during her reign and both had almost opposite views on war and empire. Gladstone was more of a liberal and was NOT in favor of wars and empire-building, while Disraeli was 100% committed to pretty much anything to increase the size and strength of the empire.
All in all, a very interesting mini-series narrated by Donald Sutherland (an odd choice, as he's Canadian, not British). A quality production in every way.
