Queen Victoria's Children (2013)

Queen Victoria’s Children – a documentary film in three parts – was shown on British television (BBC) and released on DVD in 2013. Here is some basic information:

** Directed by Rebecca Burrell, Lucy McDowell & Richard Sanders

** Narrated by Nicholas Rowe

** Run time: 58 + 58 + 54 minutes = 170 minutes

As stated above there are three episodes:

# 1. The Best Laid Plans

# 2. A Domestic Tyrant

# 3. Princes Will Be Princes

The first episode presents the royal family: Queen Victoria, her husband Prince Albert and their nine children (four sons and five daughters).

The second episode focuses on the five daughters: Victoria, Alice, Helena, Louise and Beatrice.

The third and final episode focuses on the four sons: Edward, Alfred, Arthur and Leopold.

Several experts (“talking heads”) were interviewed for the film. Here are their names in alphabetical order:

** Piers Brendon

** Miranda Carter

** Chris Clark

** Saul David

** Matthew Dennison

** Robert Douglas-Fairhurst

** Martyn Downer

** Judith Gardiner

** Lucinda Hawksley

** Kathryn Hughes

** Lynda Nead

** Helen Rappaport

** Jane Ridley

** Matthew Sweet

** Karina Urbach

** Jehanne Wake

** A. N. Wilson

** Charlotte Zeepvat

What do reviewers say about it? On IMDb it has a rating of 76 per cent, which corresponds to (almost) four stars on Amazon. This average rating is quite good - quite high - but if you ask me, if it not high enough. Why?

The film has a good structure. It is easy to follow, easy to understand. The material is well organized. The experts are well-chosen. They know their subject very well. Statements made by the experts are backed up solid evidence.

There is a clear distinction between the official façade and what happened behind closed doors. The facts presented in this film are interesting, relevant and - in many cases – quite shocking.

I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars.

PS. For more information, see the following book: Queen Victoria’s Children by John van der Kiste (paperback, 2009).

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