DOCUMENTARIES

Seapower

The history of naval warfare from ancient to modern times

Cromwell Productions
(2000)
150 minutes per volume
PG

By Richard Moore

From the ancient times great empires have grown stronger through military expansion and Seapower, from Cromwell Productions, traces the rise and use of navies as tools of war.

It is a two-DVD series that begins with the ancient Egyptians and runs through naval development into the modern era.

There is something for almost every military historian here with great descriptions and animations of galley battles, the times of the Spanish Armada, the age of fighting sail and Admiral Horatio Nelson, the first ironclads seen in the Civil War, the development of steel battleships and aircraft carriers, and perhaps the deadliest naval vessel built - the submarine.

Seapower has six broad chapters and within those themes the documentary broadens out to explore major incidents, technological advances and fascinating stories.

Even for someone who knows a lot about naval matters there will be plenty of new information in all of the chapters.

The production values are excellent with great photography, excellent animations and first-class scripting and narration. On top of that there are naval history experts who add an excited interest into proceedings.

This is a terrific series that ex-sailors and landlubbers alike will enjoy.

85%

Volume I
The First Warships - From Ancient Times to the Medieval World.
The Tudor Navy - From the Mary Rose to the Armada.
Nelson's Victory - Wooden Ships and Iron Men.

Volume II
The First Ironclads - Into the Modern Era.
The Ghost Ships of Truk Lagoon - Operation Hailstone.
U-Boat 534 - Echoes from the Ocean Floor.