The Voyage of Charles Darwin

I have this series online. All one person has to do is download a program called Limewire (they have their own site just search for it) and download it from me. I have one through 3 online right now and i will get the rest on line soon. I HST want to see how these download. They do not look or sound good because they were taped 26 years ago. This is an excellent mini series and I would really like for people to download it as I would like to see if putting them on line was worth my effort. This is a first rate biography of one of the worlds greatest scientists. Like I said they don't look or sound good but are still watchable.

For some inexplicable circumstances or reasons which are known only to the BBC, this film has never been released to the public. Had I not had the opportunity to see it on PBS Channel WNET in New York several years ago, I would not have known of its existence. It is time that the BBC made some effort to consider their audience and the needs of teachers and students alike - not to mention all the adult persons in the world that are being treated to a declining quality of films and television programs. This film not only carefully and faithfully covers the life and times of Darwin, one of the greatest scientists of all time, but it lays before the viewer a very precise overview of Darwin's theories of species orgins and the principles of evolution. I wonder, as do others, if the disappearance of this film has anything to do with the fanatics of the so-called 'Christian' right that sees the work of science as a threat to their tawdry and ignorant grasp of science and scientific principles. Someone out there: make this film available to any and all who cannot fail to enjoy it and profit from its salutary content. Is anyone listening?

I remember seeing this program when it was broadcast on PBS in the late 1970s. While at the time I thought it was really good, from the perspective of 30+ years on its no-nonsense realism and breathtaking location cinematography become really impressive. I was also impressed that they found an actor (Malcolm Stoddard) who bore such a close resemblance to Darwin it was eerie. (Not quite so close a resemblance of Daniel Burt as Captain FitzRoy.) I never expected that 30+ years on, Darwin's theory of biological evolution would be under greater attack by ignorant Bible-thumping obscurantists, not less. I agree with everyone who has posted opinions regarding this series that wide diffusion and exposure of this story is more important now than ever. Here we are 500 years into the Renaissance and 300 years into the Enlightenment, and yet so many of the people I meet every day seem barely to have gotten out of the Middle Ages, and still others won't be satisfied until they have extinguished the light of true knowledge and replaced it with the darkness of doctrine. While it may be that the series has been withheld from repeat showing in the States owing to fear of the radical Christian Right, it is also possible that the lapse is due to some incredibly arcane and convoluted copyright regulation for which the BBC is so well known.

I think the reviewer below is right in saying that it is the Christian bible thumper who are blocking the release of this well made and well acted mini series. I think PBS (channel 17 in western new york and southern Ontario) should be absolutely ashamed of themselves for not re broadcasting this fine show. When they broadcast this again is when i will contribute money. However, why should I contribute if they will will not air a diverse set of programs. There are more than just Christians out there. I cant believe any religious group can be this selfish as to make everyone suffer just so they can be happy in their ideology. I would like anyone who would like to see this released to petition the Criterion Collection website and get this title released. Go to the site below and click on the little title suggestion circle and suggest this title. Criterion releases 5 disc sets of Fanny and Alexander. Voyage of Charles Darwin could fit on 4 discs. Thankfully I have this mini series on tape. However it is a horrible copy and I would like a nice new spiffy one. NOTE: There is no space between the words criterion and collection. the preview screen made me put it there. NOTE: There is an underscore between ask and form. again the preview screen made me take it out.

HTTP://www.criterion collection.com/asp/ask form.asp

I have heard that the so-called 'christian' right has had something to do with this first-class film biography of one of the world's greatest scientists not being made available to the public. If this is so, why do contributors, like myself, continue to support Public Television if the directors of WGBH, WNET, and the other PBS stations that are constantly begging us for money refuse to have this marvellous six-part series issued as a DVD or VHS?