Captain Cook: Obsession and Discovery

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[edit] General Information

Biography Documentary hosted by Vanessa Collingridge, published by ABC in 2007 - English narration

[edit] Cover

[edit] Information

"I had ambition not only to go farther than any man had been before, but as far as it was possible for a man to go." -- James Cook This documentary tells the real story of the life & times of Captain James Cook; the greatest explorer in history who discovered Australia & New Zealand. His 3 great voyages of discovery pushed the borders of the British Empire to the ends of the Earth. Geographer, historical consultant and bestselling author Vanessa Collingridge searches for the man behind the legend as she traces his story in a series that is part biography, part travelogue and completely enthralling. A hero to some, a villain to others, this son of an English farm labourer described more of the globe than any other man in three incredible voyages. Discover the man and his times. Step back into the 18th century to experience what it was like to navigate uncharted and unknown waters in search of a legendary Great Southern Continent and then a Northwest Passage through the Arctic ice; as well as to be among the first Europeans to visit exotic Pacific islands like Tahiti. Witness Cook's discovery of Hawaii. Sail the uncharted coast of New Zealand, proving it isn't part of the 'great south continent'. Land with Captain Cook at Botany Bay as he claims Australia for king and country, a 'discovery' that goes unquestioned for over a century. Meet the men of the Endeavour, Resolution, Adventure and Discovery, and learn what sea-life was like for the sailors and scientists who made it all possible, including the celebrated gentleman-botanist Joseph Banks and a young naval officer named William Bligh. It's a tale of obsession and discovery, respect and brutality, courage and madness, from the pomp and splendour of the royal courts of England to death on a beach on the far side of the world. Directed by Wain Fimeri ; A Cook Films, Ferns Productions, South Pacific Pictures and December Films Production in association with History Television, ZDF, ARTE, ABC and Sky Network

[edit] A Likely Lad

James Cook journeys from life as a barefoot farm boy to commanding his own ship on one of the British Empire's first great scientific expeditions. Influential patrons help the bright boy to an apprenticeship in the merchant navy that would make him a ships' master. But with an eye for the main chance Cook switches to the Royal Navy. War with France propels him to Canada, where he discovers his life's work. He revolutionises the accuracy of naval mapping and the way the world is recorded. In further adventures, his genius for precision navigation helps Britain win the war and control of North America. Cook's reward is command of the great scientific expedition to the Pacific Ocean and the newly discovered exotic and sexually liberated Tahiti to record the 1769 Transit of Venus. When the observation is complete, Cook opens secret orders and learns he is to solve one of the world's great mysteries. He must find the Great Southern Continent. The real challenge has just begun.

[edit] Taking Command

Captain James Cook sets sail on the history-making adventure in search of one of the great prizes of 18th century exploration, the fabled Great Southern Continent. If Britain can find and map it, they can claim it for the Empire. Cook takes on board an additional passenger, Polynesian priest and fellow navigator, Tupaia. Cook's first encounter with New Zealand's Maori people is a disaster, so he turns to Tupaia who acts as go-between for later landings. Over six months, Cook circumnavigates both North and South islands, proving to Banks and the gentlemen aboard that New Zealand is not the Great Southern Continent. Continuing east into the unknown and landing in Botany Bay, Cook is challenged by what he encounters - Australia's flora, fauna and Indigenous people. Unlike his experience of the Pacific islanders, the Aborigines want nothing to do with the visitors. Cook's landing at Botany Bay will make him an iconic figure in modern history, but not unless he can navigate his way out of the maze of the Great Barrier Reef - a potential disaster that could kill them all.

[edit] Beyond Speculation

Cook continues his relentless pursuit of a Great Southern Continent, putting fable and mystery to rest. Despite his great skills sailing and navigating across the world, Endeavour runs aground and is nearly lost. As a patched up Endeavour crawls its way north again, Cook commits the most controversial act of the voyage: he claims the entire east coast of New Holland for Britain, without permission from local inhabitants. To this day, Cook's claim is still not accepted by Aboriginal people. Stopping for emergency repairs in Batavia, infected water turns Endeavour into a death ship. Until now Cook has not lost a man, but by the Cape of Good Hope, Cook has lost over a third of his crew. Back in London, enduring trials of life are also taking their toll on the Cook family. In his absence, Cook's wife Elizabeth must bury a second child. Cook's maps confirm his brilliance. He is promoted to Commander to lead a new voyage that will add an incredible third of the world to the map. It makes him a great British hero but the massive responsibility is taking its toll. He is losing control; only his obsession with discovery drives him on.

[edit] Northwest Passage

Cook's passion for exploration continues as he searches for the mythic North West Passage, but is it a journey too far? Now retired and promoted to Post Captain, James Cook is bored. He jumps at the chance to take on a third great voyage: to find a fast route to China to secure Britain's place in the lucrative tea trade. Cook and his wife Elizabeth have been together for only four of their 16 years of marriage but he is ready to leave his growing family once more. This is Cook's chance to put his stamp on the northern hemisphere, matching his total command of the south. Success means a personal fortune and an even greater prize for the former farm boy - a knighthood. To do it, he must sail across the world and then over the top of the North American continent, pushing against a wall of Arctic ice. But it's too much for the ships of the day. Cook is forced to return to the Pacific. When his ship snaps a mast and he returns to Hawaii, the inhabitants who once greeted him with open arms turn hostile. As relations deteriorate, Cook takes a Hawaiian chief hostage in retribution for a stolen boat. In the confusion that follows, Cook is killed on the beach. The man who has become an icon of the British Empire is about to be swept up by history.

[edit] Screenshots

[edit] Technical Specs

Video Codec: x264 CABAC High@L4
Video Bitrate: 3 372 Kbps
Video Resolution: 1920x1080
Display Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Frames Per Second: 25.000 fps
Audio Codec: E-AC3
Audio Bitrate: 224 kb/s CBR 48000 Hz
Audio Streams: 2
Audio Languages: english
RunTime Per Part: 53 min
Number Of Parts: 4
Part Size: 1.33 GB
Source: WEB DL (Thanks to CBFM)
Encoded by: DocFreak08