Overview: Starring Kenneth Colley (Monty Python's Life of Brian), Geraldine James (The Jewel in the Crown), and Tim Pigott-Smith (V for Vendetta), this lavish historical drama examines Nelson through the eyes of four people close to him: his wife, who feels bitter and betrayed but ultimately loving; his friend, who helplessly loses his wife to a hero; his captain, who admires Nelson’s bold leadership but disdains his lifestyle; and an ordinary seaman, who turns to his commander for inspiration while facing death. What emerges is an unconventional portrait of a complex figure and a study in the effects of fame.

DVD Verdict: As far as I can tell from the books that I've read, the both the school days and the TV shows that have since been and gone, this is a very accurate portrayal of portions of Nelson's life. The Battle of Trafalgar portion is the best battle renactment I have ever seen. The quality of the recording is excellent also.

Worshipped as a national savior, Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson masterminded the naval victories that thwarted Napoleon’s plans to invade Britain. Yet, in the midst of public adulation, rumors swirled about his private life. Nelson took a friend’s wife as a mistress and even fathered a child by her in secret.

'I Remember Nelson' displays some very nice production values quite well, if not extravagantly recreating Nelson's early 1800s era. From the theater piece that opens the miniseries to the recreation of the Battle of Trafalgar (told almost entirely from below decks on The Victory), 'I Remember Nelson' gives a quite visceral feel of the tenor of Nelson's time.

While there are some minor annoyances, like an at times too incessant use of voiceover to bridge sequences in all four episodes, and the fact that the series is largely limited in scope to the time period after Nelson's return from the Nile and his final battle, in total 'I Remember Nelson' is a riveting and uniquely framed portrayal of one of the most misunderstood geniuses of British naval history. If you are a history buff, a history nut, or simply a Nelson fan this is a great show for everyone, trust me! This is a Full Screen Presentation (1.33:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

Photo Gallery
Cast Filmographies