How the Bismarck Sank HMS Hood

A documentary on the Battle of the Denmark Strait in May 1941 when the German battleship Bismarck sank the British battlecruiser HMS Hood. We see the history of both ships and details of the battle itself. We also follow the 2012 expedition that examined the wreck of the Hood in order to ascertain exactly how Bismarck managed to sink her.

A reasonably interesting documentary. The linking together of an historic naval battle and an expedition to a warship sunk has been done before, so that part is not that original (and has become pretty standard, in fact, for naval documentaries). The usefulness of the expedition part varies: sometimes it is quite intriguing and illuminating, sometimes it is pretty phoney and staged, with minor "discoveries" being presented as massive breakthroughs. This falls somewhere in between, with a few "Eureka!" moments that are actually not that astounding but a few other aspects that are quite interesting.

The remainder is interesting but doesn't really give you any more information than you could easily read or would know if you've got a moderate knowledge of naval history.

Overall, not brilliant but interesting enough.

This is how documentaries (particularly involving mysteries) should be made.

Incredibly interesting, informative and with a solid conclusion. It's expertly narrated by that butler guy from Downton Abbey.

It managed to balance being educational and adventurous, with respectful and emotional. Some of the testimonies by veterans were heartbreaking, just as the story itself.

After previously watching Titanic expedition docos, you quickly see the dramatic difference between a wartime wreck and peacetime one.

The memorial at the end was touching. Made me think of my grandfather who fought in the Royal Navy in WWII as well.

Highly recommend for those into war documentaries and history.