Empires: Queen Victoria's Empire

It is very interesting and excellent in the details of Victoria’s rein.

This is the best DVD about the Victorian Age that I have ever seen! Part of the show presents the life of Victoria and Albert. Other parts focus on the economic, social, and military aspects of the British Empire.I particularly enjoyed the following anecdote about civil rights in India.The British allowed the Indians to keep their religion and most aspects of their native culture. However, they did forbid certain uncivilized practices. For example, they exterminated the cult of Kali which involved murdering people as sacrifices to the goddess of destruction.But, best of all is the part of the video where an Indian "nativist" stands-up for civil rights. "It's wrong for all you British to come here and tell us what we can do in our religious practices. This is a Hindu funeral. We should run it our way.... Power to the people!" And the British officer replied, "Well, we have some customs of our own in England. We HANG men who burn living women!" You see, the native habit was to burn the widow on the husband's funeral pyre. Isn't it delicious? 21st century morality demands that we view all cultures and religions as equally valid. Imperialism was terrible, etc., etc., etc. But this DVD is honest enough to tell both sides of the story.In my opinion, QUEEN VICTORIA'S EMPIRE gives the average educated person everything he needs to know about the British Empire in the 1800s.

Excellent review of British world of nineteenth century.Good explanation of the dramatic change in India, Africa and England. Covers the influence of Albert on Victoria and all of the empire. Albert was champion of science, free trade and individual freedom, the classical liberal. Promoted the 1851 exposition and built the Cyrstal Palace for the glory of science and England. The death of Albert heralded the demise of liberalism.Reviews the contrast between Gladstone and Disraeli. Gladstone who changed from Tory to passionate liberal and Disraeli who changed from dissolute novelist to imperialist politician.Gladstone lectured Victoria on her duty to the people and Disraeli offered to lecture the people on their duty to Victoria. Disraeli's offer won.Covers the travels of Livingstone in Africa. His effect on public opinion. Recounts effects of Rhodes and his plans that led to empire building. Gordon's death fighting the Mahdi. The horrible atrocities of the Boer war that led to disillusionment in England.Very well done. Interesting. Detailed. This video praises the classical liberalism of Albert and Gladstone and critiques the imperialism of Disraeli and Rhodes.Plan to watch with my grandson and watch it yearly.

Watching the excellent film The Young Victoria convinced me that I needed to know more about Victoria, Prince Albert and the British Empire during her reign. Although I generally prefer BBC documentaries, which cover a subject in great depth, I found this PBS DVD to be very informative. I learned a lot about Victoria and the three men in her life (Prince Albert and her two prime ministers Gladstone and Disraeli) in this excellently narrated 219 minute documentary. Highly recommended.The BBC film Victoria and Albert is billed as an epic love story. If you're looking for a love story, you might try this one, but if you're looking for a factual overview of The Victorian Age, get Queen Victoria's Empire.

This is a very good and relatively unbiased view on a wide sweep of history which to a large degree shaped the present world. It is nearly 4 hours long (2+2) but held my attention and keeps the same level of detail throughout - as opposed to some documentaries which dive into detail "here" and gloss over "there". Superbly narrated by D Sutherland with added dramatisation, archive film and modern commentators and historians giving their take on the events. Great overview of the period - I highly recommend this documentary.

Queen Victoria's Empire provides a good overview of problems faced by Her Majesty's government in aquiring and managing the British Empire. The switch in approach toward empire following the death of Albert is also highlighted though I feel that the historian Weintraub overstates the role that Albert played in Victoria's government. The dramatization of events interlaced with historical commentary by noted experts provides the context in which to view the period. My students enjoy watching it as they gain a greater insight by viewing the people, places, and events after they have read their textbook.

The writer obviously had a great admiration for Prince Albert and returned several times to the theme that Victoria went in a different direction than he would have wanted her to after Albert's death. I admire Albert also, but different from other material I've seen on the royal couple, the narration implies Victoria was incompetent and passive throughout her life, first leaving the kingdom to Albert's direction, then to her politicians. Other materials give a balanced view of Albert and certainly of Victoria. That and a few other bits in the program give the impression that whoever wrote and put it together has a quite negative view of women.The narration, especially in the beginning, suffers from poor writing. Too many ominous statements. If that was to be the theme of the program, only one portentous statement is enough, don't overload. While I like the narrator as an actor, his pronunciation seemed odd for many quite ordinary words and distracted from my concentration. Beyond that, the documentary is interesting but doesn't cover the full scope of the empire on the world scene - I'm not even close to an expert and can see that.One thing I liked was hearing how the convictions, religious and otherwise, appeared to have affected the actions of some of the historical figures.Overall, I was a little disappointed in the documentary, but it did give interesting history on India and the Industrial Age, so I gave it three stars.

Great Product! Fast Delivery! AAA+++

I do not know why that living here in England I find it very differcult to buy some of my most favourite films and certain documeties. however, EMPIRES: Queen Victoria's Empire is a excellent documentary about one of my countries great Queens. and to say that this is a American documentary it gives a wide range of how Our great British Empire grew. Queen Victoria empire was a challenge to take on as since her navy was the largest in the world not forgetting her armies. the steam age and the industrial revolution brought a massive change both to the people of England and the world. this is an excellent 5 gold star documentary narrated by Donald Sutherland and it is very pleasing to note that the American people find English history so fascinating. it is truly a masterpiece of history and I am very proud to own a remarkable dvd that is about my country's Queen released by a American dvd company excellent throughout. so, if you want to know what it was like living and working in Victorian England then this dvd is for you.

A balanced chronological overview of "The Empire". Mr. Sutherland is an excellent choice for host/narrator. Makes one wonder how the world might be had Prince Albert lingered.

excellent summary of all the life changing discoveries and industrial inventions plus the political and social changes that affected most of the civilised word by this little island

Very informative