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Empires - Queen Victoria's Empire
This extremely interesting and educational DVD is perfect for
lovers of documentaries or British history and tells how the very future
of this monarchy was threatened until Princess Alexandrina Victoria was
born in 1819. Cleverly groomed to become the next Queen of England,
The British Empire was about to enter another Golden Age.
Of course, Queen Victoria was not the only influential
person in British Imperialism at this time and this documentary goes into
great detail
about William Gladstone, Benjamin Disraeli, David Livingstone, Rhodes
and her husband, Prince Albert.
Masterfully narrated by actor Donald Sutherland, Empires
– Queen Victoria’s Empire is oozing with politics, intrigue and world
domination that thanks to a group of elite and select individuals, they saw
this humble society become an industrial superpower. This DVD collects
all four episodes from the acclaimed TV series which includes;
Episode 1 – Engines of Change
Episode 2 – Passage to India
Episode 3 – The Moral Crusade
Episode 4 – The Scramble for Africa
The first episode begins with the birth of Queen Victoria
and how her arrival changed the face of Britain from an agrarian society
to one of the forefathers of the industrial revolutions. As the citizens
of England began to flock to the cities for work and housing, Queen
Victoria focused on her loyal people, whereas her advisors such as
Prince Albert, Benjamin Disraeli and William Gladstone started the
British invasion abroad.
Episode two targets the British invasion and how the
majority of the world’s industrial goods were made in Britain. It also
delves into the colonisation of India which ignited the Great Mutiny in
this country and caused the death of many. With a clash of Victorian
England values and the traditions of India, this would be the first
thorn in England’s side. This was also the time of the death of Prince
Albert which would have repercussions for Queen Victoria.
Episode 3 focuses on the relationship between Queen
Victoria and her deceased husband which has weakened the monarchy. It
highlights the explorations of David Livingstone in Africa and how
Disraeli and Gladstone fought for control over the British government.
In terms of the industrial revolution, it gives the viewer a great
insight into how England got a foothold into the Middle East that would
begin the exploitation of Egypt.
Lastly, episode 4 showcases the problems of England
controlling their vast empire with Queen Victoria celebrating her
Diamond Jubilee. Unfortunately for the British Empire, this is where the
cracks of the empire start to become apparent with the onset of the Boer
War and eventually, the death of Queen Victoria which ended her rein
64-year reign.
As you can see, Empires Queen Victoria's Empire is quite
a varied and an educational documentary into the reign of this powerful
Queen and how England recommenced its colonisation by becoming a true
powerhouse in the industrial revolution. Empires Queen Victoria's Empire
is an extremely well made, researched and interesting DVD that features
good video and audio quality which nicely compliments the politically
engaging historical facts.
Definitely a must see!
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