Empire of the Seas (2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Empire of the Seas is a documentary film (in four parts) which premiered on British television (BBC) in 2010.

 

Here is some basic information about it:

 

** Host and presenter: Dan Snow

** Directors: Steven Clarke, Tom McCarthy, Rosie Schellenberg, and Paul Tilzey

** Released on DVD in 2013

** Run time: 4 x 57 minutes = 228 minutes

 

Dan Snow (born 1978) studied history at Oxford University. Since graduating from Balliol College in 2002, he has presented several British television programs, including Armada: 12 Days to Save England which premiered on British television (BBC) in 2015.

 

Empire of the Seas is the history of the English – later the British – Royal navy from the sixteenth to the twentieth century. The history of the navy is placed in a social, political, economic, and military context. 

 

I could also say it is the history of England – later Britain – during four centuries with special focus on the navy. Dan Snow explains what the navy did for society and what society did for the navy.

 

As stated above, there are four episodes. Each episode runs for almost one hour. This means the total running time is almost four hours. Many events and many persons are mentioned in this film. For reasons of space, I will not mention all of them here. I will merely offer a few examples from each of the four episodes.

 

PART ONE: HEART OF OAK

This episode begins with the battle of the Spanish Armada in 1588. When Spain is defeated, England faces a new rival: Holland.

 

PART TWO: THE GOLDEN OCEAN

This episode begins with the disaster of 1690 when the English navy is defeated by the French navy. It ends with the British triumph over France in 1759.

 

PART THREE: HIGH TIDE

This episode covers Captain Cook’s explorations in the Pacific Ocean and the war with the American colonies. It ends with the battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Horatio Nelson wins the battle but loses his life.

 

PART FOUR: SEA CHANGE

In this episode we hear about the British navy in Hong Kong in 1841 and about the battle of Jutland in 1916.

 

This episode also covers a naval disaster which takes place on 22 June 1893 in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea:

 

On this day two British war ships - the Victoria and the Camperdown - collide with each other during an exercise. The Victoria sinks in fifteen minutes and more than 300 men lose their lives, including Sir George Tryon, admiral and commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean fleet.

 

For more information about this naval disaster, see the following item:

 

Admirals in Collision 

by Richard Hough 

(1959) (reprinted 2003)

 

The battle of Jutland is the last battle that is mentioned in this film. There is a good reason for this decision: when the First World War ended in 1918, Britain no longer had an empire of the seas.

 

ONE FLAW

What do reviewers say about this film? 

 

On IMDb it has a rating of 80 percent, which corresponds to four stars on Amazon.

 

On Amazon there are at the moment 29 ratings, 16 with reviews. The average rating is 4.6 stars which corresponds to a rating of 92 percent.

 

I understand the positive reviews. This film is quite good, but it has a flaw. One significant battle is missing: the battle of the Nile (also known as the battle of Aboukir), which took place in August 1798.

 

In this battle, the British navy under the command of Horatio Nelson defeated the French navy.

 

This battle was connected with Napoleon's attempt to conquer Egypt, which was (apart from the scientific work) a total disaster.

 

While Dan Snow mentions “the French” and “the French navy” many times, Napoleon is never mentioned, not even once.

 

For more information about this battle, see the following items:

 

Nelson and the Nile: 

The Naval War against Bonaparte 

by Brian Lavery 

(2003)

 

Nile 1798: 

Nelson’s First Great Victory 

by Gregory Fremont-Barnes 

(2011)

CONCLUSION

As a presenter Dan Snow is professional. He is committed to his topic. He has a message, and it is easy to understand what he says.

 

He travels the world; he sails the sea for this film. Whenever he talks about a location, he is there to show us what it looks like. When he talks about Malta, he is there; when he talks about Hong Kong, he is there.

 

He has done his homework. Whenever he mentions a document, he has it in his hand or sometimes on a table in front of him. He quotes the document and shows the document.

 

His presentation is supported by an excellent team which is responsible for marvelous camerawork and a suggestive musical score.

 

Empire of the Seas is a history of triumph and disaster. Dan Snow tells us how and why it happened.

 

If you are interested in the history of the modern world, this product is definitely something for you.

 

PS. The film gives you the visual aspect. Perhaps you want more details; perhaps you want more background? 

 

For this you will need a book, for instance the official companion to the film Empire of the Seas by Brian Lavery (hardcover 2009) (paperback 2012). 

 

The author Brian Lavery is the historical consultant on Dan Snow’s film.

 

*****

 

Empire of the Seas:

How the Navy Forged the Modern World

by Brian Lavery

(Hardcover 2009)

(Paperback 2012)

(this book is the official companion to

the television program)

*****