Battlefield Britain - The Spanish Armada 1588 DVD

Advantages: history gets a makeover
Disadvantages: none

...of graphical representation to bring the facts to life. To illustrate what the presenters are saying, they have a map case that when opened springs to life to show the movements of armies across the land or battlefield and the graphics are spot on. Graphics of this type are not a new idea in such a program, but whilst the likes of "Time Commanders" remains a computer game manipulated to make its point, here the visuals are much more convincing. A 2000 years span is covered by the series starting with Boudicca's revolt against the Roman occupation, The Battle of Hastings, Owen Glendowers bid for an independent Wales in the early fifteenth century and The Spanish Armada. The more modern battles of Naseby, Boyne and Culloden cover the complex political machinations of England, Ireland and Scotland and the series is brought bang up to date... Read review

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Advantages: a revealing and fascinating series, great presenters
Disadvantages: none

...in the Menai Straights before canoeing through its difficult waters. Miranda Krestovnikoff's finest hour came in western Scotland when she swam with Minke Whales. In southeast England Alice Roberts found evidence of early human migration to this country during an inter-ice age and Mark Horton presented a fascinating piece about a wreck from the Spanish Armada that went down off of the Antrim coast. Although this is just the tip of the iceberg it gives you some idea of the scope that this series covers, a range of tales spanning thousands of years and of a very diverse nature. Often however it is the coast itself that is the star of the show, acting as a backdrop to every story there is a wonder range of scenery, wide mudflats, sand dunes, wild storm ravaged cliffs and the every present expanse of sea that makes us an island in the first place... Read review

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Advantages: Fantastic clothes, great architecture
Disadvantages: A bit too creative in its intepretation of history

...shows that Elizabeth did address the troops on the eve of the battle, I'm sceptical that she strapped on her made-to-measure designer armour and a long flowing red wig and climbed astride her white horse. It's a 'Joan of Arc meets Henry the Fifth' moment. Even the horse is looking embarrassed. And how come she's switched from side-saddle to riding astride 'just like that'? Meanwhile in the Bridgend Odeon Linda asks 'where's Francis Drake'? Surely they can't leave him out of the Spanish Armada plot completely. And no, they don't quite manage that but they do give the main role to Walter Raleigh who we see clinging to the outside of a burning boat looking more like an extra from Pirates of the Caribbean, and leaping into the burning sea. Apparently the battles with the Spanish Armada took nine days and the English ships did well because... Read review

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