BBC Sailor: The Complete TV Series [DVD]

Good film showing everyday life on board a huge flatop

I loved this series when I was a teenager; I was one of the generation who would have been among the last cohorts to do officer training before the end of the Cold War. Sadly I was turned down on medical grounds... But this series is gritty, real and authentic. Sure, Rod Stewart has been replaced by a brass band (probably because of copyright restrictions, but you can still view the original title sequence on YouTube) but the rest of the content is still there. For Fleet Air Arm geeks like me, it's also noteworthy that a lot of the footage in the 'Carrier' experience at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at RNAS Yeovilton is culled directly from this series.If you like Buccaneers, Phantoms and Gannets, as well as Sea King and Wessex helicopters, this is the series for you. There's lots of footage of carrier deck operations from a bygone age of fast jets, heavy landings and just sheer raw brute power. All that combined with the incredibly practiced professionalism of not only the flight deck crews but also the guys below decks keeping everything going. I particularly loved the bits about the discipline problems for some of the lads during their shore leave sessions. They might look like proper rogues but one of the great things about the Royal Navy is that they appreciate that these young scallywags are often the best men to have at your side when it's all going down. Sure the bloke might be a bit of a tyke but he'll be solid in battle.Bought this series together with the 'Warship' series 1 and 2 which you can also get on Amazon. These series are so good and so realistic that sometimes I forget which series I am watching - Warship or Sailor.

Bought for my dad who was in the navy he loved this DVD

Originally broadcast in the 1970's and as the packaging states - digitally restored, the first thing that's noticeable is that it lacks the Rod Stewart rendition of "Sailing". He's been replaced by a brass band. Never mind, as long as Gavin Sutherland still gets the royalties.The three disc edition covers many different aspects of life on board HMS Ark Royal. Be prepared, because it comes from a time when there was no such thing as political correctness. Yes, it's all there-letters to and from home, the on board Chaplain, crew disciplinary measures and a strange crew member called "Wilf". I found his appearance quite wooden. But he seemed to take up quite a bit of airtime on the Ark's TV station. But enough about the Captain. Wilf is a ventriloquist's dummy bought through mail order by a crew member.The professionalism of the crew has to be admired. Watch the rescue of an American submariner by the crew of the ship's helicopters. Aside from duties, many of them studied for further qualifications while at sea.If you like naval aviation, this is a video for you. Phantoms, Buccaneers and a Fairey Gannet can be seen often.One of the most hilarious highlights is the crew's performance of "The Magic Roundabout". It's definitely not suitable for children. But worth watching. The performance is rounded off with the crew singing "Remember You're a Womble" and "The Wombling Song". (it's Navy thing, you may not understand). Wombles were popular in the 1970's.The third disc features, the Ark Royal and its crew eight years after that televised voyage. Witness one of the crew in tears when he saw the remains of the ship being torn apart for scrap.

Was it that long ago?! It say's something about this series that it made such an impression on me that I was staggered to find out when it was first released. Looking at it now you're reminded how far the technical improvements in Television have come. However you're also reminded how poor the quality of many TV programmes has become? This is an excellent documentary that covers many aspects of the life of a great ship, warts and all. No one can fail to be enthralled by the flight deck action which is very well presented from all angles. As fascinating is the coverage of the live's, problems and responsibilities of the crew. The calm understatement in the face of extreme situations seems to recall a way of life that's maybe lost to us now? Technically the 4:3 film format transferred from the video looks a world away from todays HD video but is non the less excellent. The copyright issues with the music mentioned by other reviewers are soon overlooked because the scripting and editing of this series means you're attention is focussed from the first scene to the finale. The bonus revisit with characters from the series 8 years on is interesting and a further bonus of a short about the operation of the carrier in the Med, whilst interesting, makes you appreciate how good the series was.

This is dated now. Good to watch and remember how it was then.

Bought this as I didn't take the time to ask my Dad when he was alive, thinking he had years left, what the Ark Royal was like to be on as a Sailor. Covid stopped me from being able to ask him. Loved seeing the Phantoms he would have worked on. The NAAFI that he potentially bought his snack and cigarettes from and the type of bunk he would have slept in. An old series documentary which my kids and I absolutely loved.

I have been after this programme for many years but up until recently it's only been available in VHS format and, really expensive.I first came across the DVD version on a well known internet auction site but the seller wanted £50 for it so I decided against it and looked on Amazon where I found it for a much more realistic price. Like other reviewers I too was disappointed that the original Rod Stewart or Pink Floyd tracks were not on this version but I knew this to be the case before I bought it thanks to the reviews. This programme was a great recruiting tool as far as I was concerned as I joined the Navy in 1977 following its broadcast in 1976.If you, like me, were in the Navy in the 70's & 80's then this series brings it all flooding back.My advice for all the ex matelots out there......go buy Sailor........