Kenneth Colley gives an exemplary performance in this four part mini-series actually spending a long period with his right arm strapped behind his back, before production started, until he was adept with his left which he wields with great effect. The most memorable of the series part four, breaks with tradition by allowing the viewer to experience the historic battle of Trafalgar as the majority of the men who fought experienced it, in the cramped confines below decks. The majority of this episode focuses on one gun crew who show the polish of months of practice. This all comes down of course to the Death of Nelson, as deeply touching as it could only be. You don't need to be an actor to play the part, just feel with you heart.
3 Reviews
Excellent series to see the many sides of a complex hero
theowinthrop25 June 2006
Warning: Spoilers
THAT HAMILTON WOMAN is the 1941 version of the scandal that punctured the totally heroic and gallant figure of Vice Admiral, Lord Horatio Nelson. Laurence Olivier's Nelson is a brilliant figure who has a sense of history (notice his speech about the great figures of the 18th Century - he includes George Washington!) and possibly a sense of his own impending doom. He loves Emma Hamilton, and she loves him. That they are married they are both aware of, but they try to be as discreet as possible. In the end, the "nasty" element of the adulterous affair falls on her head, not on Horatio's, as his death in battle (amidst great victory...indeed his flagship is H.M.S. Victory) washes away HIS sin.
In 1973 THE NELSON AFFAIR (also known as A BEQUEST TO THE NATION) starred Peter Finch as the admiral and Glenda Jackson as Emma. If Vivien Leigh was somewhat supportive and demure to her crippled hero, Jackson was closer to the vulgar, former prostitute and quack doctor's assistant who became Lady Hamilton. The original title was in reference to how Lord Nelson (before he sailed for his fate at Trafalgar) asked the British people not to forget Emma and their baby daughter, whom he left as a "bequest to the nation".
Then in 1982 this four part series was shown on Channel 13. It took a "Citizen Kane" style look at Nelson through four different viewpoints: his neglected wife, Sir William Hamilton, Captain (later Admiral)Thomas Hardy, and a seaman who was one of the last survivors of the victory of Trafalgar. The story was one that Oliver Cromwell would have approved of - it showed Nelson "warts and all". The brilliant admiral is there, and the brave seaman. But the Admiral is shown to be a hedonist, a ruthless pursuer of British goals, and someone willing to do a little society swanning for personal gain.
For example, in the episode with Sir William Hamilton (John Clements), the resignation of the ambassador to being the world's best known cuckold is shown. He is under orders from the Prime Minister and the Admiralty and Foreign Office to allow Nelson and Emma to enjoy themselves. But Nelson also carries out orders relayed by Sir William to him. And this reveals an area of his naval service his fans have gleefully overlooked over the years.
Because Napoleon had taken over the course of Revolutionary France, most people in England and the U.S tend to dismiss French aims after 1797 as camouflage for Bonapartist dynastic ambitions. That can't be denied, unfortunately, but the fact is Napoleon also was spreading most of the better aspects of the Revolution around Europe. The French had many supporters in the countries they entered, and this was to include the Kingdom of Naples. Misruled by a stupid, reactionary King (who only wanted to hunt all the time) and his wife, the sister of Marie Antoinette, the royal family wanted to prevent any reforms. The British Government, in their desire to counter the threat of the French, fully supported this crew.
This episode shows the leading reformers in Naples (led by Raf Valone) as struggling to overturn the government with France's assistance. The British send word to Nelson, through Sir William, to use his fleet to save the corrupt Neapolitan court. He does so - and Valone and most of his friends were exterminated by Nelson and his seamen and marines. We watch this horror, and see Emma and Horatio enjoying a sexual dalliance that same night. This is not a pleasant look at the hero's career.
He's always ready with explanations. When Captain Hardy is mildly critical of his taking a holiday with Emma at the estate of William Beckford (the author of the early 19th Century horror novel, VATHEK - played by Daniel Massey) who was connected with a questionable estate case and also a morals charge about his relationship with a boy, Nelson (with intensity) explains he needs to relax for the sake of his national duty. Hardy accepts this (and his need for Emma) and actually feels the failure of the British to protect Emma and Horatio's child was a shame. But the speech from Nelson sounds like something that, no matter how intelligently said, was rehearsed. It's too glib.
As a major corrective (for the sake of historical balance) to THAT HAMILTON WOMAN (or even THE NELSON AFFAIR) this series was quite good.
In 1973 THE NELSON AFFAIR (also known as A BEQUEST TO THE NATION) starred Peter Finch as the admiral and Glenda Jackson as Emma. If Vivien Leigh was somewhat supportive and demure to her crippled hero, Jackson was closer to the vulgar, former prostitute and quack doctor's assistant who became Lady Hamilton. The original title was in reference to how Lord Nelson (before he sailed for his fate at Trafalgar) asked the British people not to forget Emma and their baby daughter, whom he left as a "bequest to the nation".
Then in 1982 this four part series was shown on Channel 13. It took a "Citizen Kane" style look at Nelson through four different viewpoints: his neglected wife, Sir William Hamilton, Captain (later Admiral)Thomas Hardy, and a seaman who was one of the last survivors of the victory of Trafalgar. The story was one that Oliver Cromwell would have approved of - it showed Nelson "warts and all". The brilliant admiral is there, and the brave seaman. But the Admiral is shown to be a hedonist, a ruthless pursuer of British goals, and someone willing to do a little society swanning for personal gain.
For example, in the episode with Sir William Hamilton (John Clements), the resignation of the ambassador to being the world's best known cuckold is shown. He is under orders from the Prime Minister and the Admiralty and Foreign Office to allow Nelson and Emma to enjoy themselves. But Nelson also carries out orders relayed by Sir William to him. And this reveals an area of his naval service his fans have gleefully overlooked over the years.
Because Napoleon had taken over the course of Revolutionary France, most people in England and the U.S tend to dismiss French aims after 1797 as camouflage for Bonapartist dynastic ambitions. That can't be denied, unfortunately, but the fact is Napoleon also was spreading most of the better aspects of the Revolution around Europe. The French had many supporters in the countries they entered, and this was to include the Kingdom of Naples. Misruled by a stupid, reactionary King (who only wanted to hunt all the time) and his wife, the sister of Marie Antoinette, the royal family wanted to prevent any reforms. The British Government, in their desire to counter the threat of the French, fully supported this crew.
This episode shows the leading reformers in Naples (led by Raf Valone) as struggling to overturn the government with France's assistance. The British send word to Nelson, through Sir William, to use his fleet to save the corrupt Neapolitan court. He does so - and Valone and most of his friends were exterminated by Nelson and his seamen and marines. We watch this horror, and see Emma and Horatio enjoying a sexual dalliance that same night. This is not a pleasant look at the hero's career.
He's always ready with explanations. When Captain Hardy is mildly critical of his taking a holiday with Emma at the estate of William Beckford (the author of the early 19th Century horror novel, VATHEK - played by Daniel Massey) who was connected with a questionable estate case and also a morals charge about his relationship with a boy, Nelson (with intensity) explains he needs to relax for the sake of his national duty. Hardy accepts this (and his need for Emma) and actually feels the failure of the British to protect Emma and Horatio's child was a shame. But the speech from Nelson sounds like something that, no matter how intelligently said, was rehearsed. It's too glib.
As a major corrective (for the sake of historical balance) to THAT HAMILTON WOMAN (or even THE NELSON AFFAIR) this series was quite good.
Kenneth Colley is Nelson
ashleywetherall7 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This four part miniseries is possibly the best best depiction of Admiral Nelson put on screen. This is an intimate portrait of the man and not the legend. We see Nelson through the eyes of four very different people.
The first being his estranged wife. She loves him deeply but Nelson has become increasingly cold towards her. She now questions did he ever really love her. For himself Nelson is depicted in this episode as very distant towards a woman who obviously loves him but really never understood him, and his guilt is very palatable. His affections are now for the free spirtited Emma Hamiltion.
The next episode deals with Nelson through the eyes of Sir William Hamilton , friend of Nelson and Husband to Emma. William is depicted as a genteel decent enough man a taste for all things beautiful and believes that Nelson is a great man in all things. This opinion slowly slips as he realises that Nelson and Emma are having an affair. He also realises that Nelson has a hard edge to his character when dealing with a courp marshal of once allied. Nelson for his part is talking sense but are reminded that the opinions of old friends come second to regulations.
The third part sees Nelson through the eyes of his trusted friend Captain Thomas Hardy. Hardy is invited to Nelsons house where he is introduced to the decadent and indiscreet William Beckford. Hardy becomes slowly applaud by Beckford's, Emma's and even Nelson's behaviour and this lead to a confrontation between Nelson and his trusted Captain days before they depart for Trafalgar.
The last episode is seen through the eyes of William Blackie, a member of HMS Victory's lower gun crew. We get an idea of what the battle of Trafalgar looked like from Victory's lower decks and the carnage of sail ship battles. Blackie is spoken to by Nelson as he inspects the decks before the battle and a now wounded Blackie witnesses Nelsons last moments before he succumbs to his wound.
What set's this depiction Nelson apart from the others is that most of it has been taken from diaries letters and journals of those who actually knew the man. So the viewer gets a realistic sense of the man and not the Hero. Kenneth Colley makes Nelson very human. A man trying to do the best for king and country but also a vain man who love the pomp and ceremony associated with himself. A man who also has a common touch which makes him loved by the public but sometimes uneasy with those with titles.
The rest of the cast is universally excellent, with great turns by Geraldine James as Emma Hamilton, Tim Piggot Smith as Hardy , Phil Daniels as Blackie, Anna Massey as lady Nelson and a scene stealing turn by her brother Daniel as Beckford.
The series was written by Hugh Whitemore and subtely directed by Simon Langton.
The first being his estranged wife. She loves him deeply but Nelson has become increasingly cold towards her. She now questions did he ever really love her. For himself Nelson is depicted in this episode as very distant towards a woman who obviously loves him but really never understood him, and his guilt is very palatable. His affections are now for the free spirtited Emma Hamiltion.
The next episode deals with Nelson through the eyes of Sir William Hamilton , friend of Nelson and Husband to Emma. William is depicted as a genteel decent enough man a taste for all things beautiful and believes that Nelson is a great man in all things. This opinion slowly slips as he realises that Nelson and Emma are having an affair. He also realises that Nelson has a hard edge to his character when dealing with a courp marshal of once allied. Nelson for his part is talking sense but are reminded that the opinions of old friends come second to regulations.
The third part sees Nelson through the eyes of his trusted friend Captain Thomas Hardy. Hardy is invited to Nelsons house where he is introduced to the decadent and indiscreet William Beckford. Hardy becomes slowly applaud by Beckford's, Emma's and even Nelson's behaviour and this lead to a confrontation between Nelson and his trusted Captain days before they depart for Trafalgar.
The last episode is seen through the eyes of William Blackie, a member of HMS Victory's lower gun crew. We get an idea of what the battle of Trafalgar looked like from Victory's lower decks and the carnage of sail ship battles. Blackie is spoken to by Nelson as he inspects the decks before the battle and a now wounded Blackie witnesses Nelsons last moments before he succumbs to his wound.
What set's this depiction Nelson apart from the others is that most of it has been taken from diaries letters and journals of those who actually knew the man. So the viewer gets a realistic sense of the man and not the Hero. Kenneth Colley makes Nelson very human. A man trying to do the best for king and country but also a vain man who love the pomp and ceremony associated with himself. A man who also has a common touch which makes him loved by the public but sometimes uneasy with those with titles.
The rest of the cast is universally excellent, with great turns by Geraldine James as Emma Hamilton, Tim Piggot Smith as Hardy , Phil Daniels as Blackie, Anna Massey as lady Nelson and a scene stealing turn by her brother Daniel as Beckford.
The series was written by Hugh Whitemore and subtely directed by Simon Langton.
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