Description: The classic Masterpiece Theatre drama
Recollections of a hero’s life
Worshipped as a national savior, Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson masterminded the naval victories that thwarted Napoleon’s plans to invade Britain. Yet, in the midst of public adulation, rumors swirled about his private life. Nelson took a friend’s wife as a mistress and even fathered a child by her in secret.
Starring Kenneth Colley (Monty Python's Life of Brian), Geraldine James (The Jewel in the Crown), and Tim Pigott-Smith (V for Vendetta), this lavish historical drama examines Nelson through the eyes of four people close to him: his wife, who feels bitter and betrayed but ultimately loving; his friend, who helplessly loses his wife to a hero; his captain, who admires Nelson’s bold leadership but disdains his lifestyle; and an ordinary seaman, who turns to his commander for inspiration while facing death. What emerges is an unconventional portrait of a complex figure and a study in the effects of fame.
DVD bonus features include photo gallery and cast filmographies.
The DVD quality is great! Please note that the above review refers to the VHS version of the DVD and not to the DVD for sale on this page. The DVD quality is excellent. And it's a great show too!
Poor Recording Quality Mars Excellent Performance Very accurate portrayal of portions of Nelson's life. The Battle of Trafalgar tape is the best battle renactment I have ever seen. The quality of the tape recording, however, is poor. Rather than using the standard speed for each of the four one-hour episodes, the production is recorded in extended play. At that speed, the entire series could have been put on one two-hour tape (holding six hours of information at the slowest speed). This was a disappointment considering the price of the recording.