Customer Reviews

Floating Palaces (Ocean Liner Documentary) [VHS]

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The movie floating palaces was an interesting documentary of ocean liners past. It went in depth to Brunel's mammoth ships, Cunard's scheduled service, steerage, Cunard's Grand Trio, WWI and WWII, and the Andrea Doria. From this video series, I learned alot, like the fact the Great Britan still survives. I think you will enjoy this video.

Produced by A & E in 1996, this four tape set, one of the few of it's kind, goes into great historical depth about the famous ocean liners of the past. Fittingly, it opens onboard what was, in 1996, the last North Atlantic liner left in service, Cunard's QE2. From there, the story travels back some 150 years. It covers all the major passenger ships that played such an important role in developing new countries, and tells their life stories. Some had truly remarkable lives, and established records in terms of speed, service, and luxury that have never been equalled. For example, Cunard's "Mauretania" was the fastest ship on the seas for an incredible 22 years. This same companys "Aquitania", last of the historic four stackers, was also the only major liner to serve in and survive both World Wars, and she steamed continuously for 36 years, the longest serving vessel of such size to this day. However, it is the illustrations of the ship's interiors that will impress the viewer the most. Some of the most stunning rooms ever built on a ship, could be found on these turn of century ocean liners, and rare photographs are used to bring them back to life. The intricate woodwork on these early vessels was carved by hand, in place, and when these liners passed into history, nothing of their caliber would ever be seen again. The craftsmanship of the time was unbelieveable, and would be far to expensive to recreate today. But, as is pointed out in the film, these ships truly were icons of their time, and people hoping to recapture that era by going to sea on a cruise ship today, will be sadly disappointed. There can be no comparision between a Carnival Cruise ship of today, and one of Cunard's or White Star's early giants. Modern cruise ship company's will readily tell you that those historic ships can never be matched.
The role played by these vessels during wartime is also included. Their efforts as hospital and troopships were hazardous and heroic at the same time, and their services changed the course of two World Wars. The major disasters that befell some of these vessels are also fully covered, so Titanic, Lusitania, and Andrea Doria fans won't be disappointed. This documentary is told by some of the worlds most knowledgable maritime authorities, and despite it's four hour length, it never drags or fails to hold ones attention. If your looking for a nostalgic ocean voyage down memory lane aboard one of those great "Floating Palaces" of the past, or the lone one of today, this video set will certainly be your best choice, and possibly your only one.

My husband and I inherited this four tape video set and just now took time to view it. How glad we are that we did! The magnificence of these major ships which made crossings of the Atlantic is hard to believe. As far as documentary film making goes, this series makes one appreciate the times in which we live, seemingly so far removed from the days of major ocean liners of great luxury which came to be used as more than luxury transportation. They actually delivered the goods in immigrants and later troops for both WWI and WWII. The actual footage of work underway on the construction of the ships, of simple man power used to load them with coal and all the other necessaries for their consumption are absolutely fascinating. The miracle of their existence and how they were a vital part of warfare, both as carriers and as strategic devices for damaging one the foes of either Kaiser Wilhelm, Mussolini, or Hitler. In a world of modern cruise ships for a taste of the luxurious life, there can be no comparison with what was experienced by the rich and famous, the steerage and later tourist classes, or the military and later their war brides. We recommend this trip into history. You will be amazed and delighted with what you will learn.

This programme was made during a time when A&E was still entertaining. I won't waste time going into how A&E has turned, but I will simply hold "Floating Palaces" close to my heart as a memory of when A&E was truly about Arts and Entertainment.

The narrator, Fritz Weaver, was perfect for this 4 part series. Parts 1&2 begin with a four day westbound crossing from Southampton on QE2, interspersed throughout with historical bits on the earliest paddle steamers, Titanic, and leading into WWI with Lusitania. Parts 3&4 continue with an eastbound crossing from New York interspersed with WWII history on Queens Mary and Elizabeth, Normandie, and into the 50's with United States, then to the present with modern cruise ships. Historians interviewed include William H. Miller, John Maxtone-Graham, Frank Braynard, along with various QE2 passengers and crew.

This is my favourite documentary ever. The package design alone is beautiful, clever, and looks great on my shelf. My second favourite now being "The Liners" only available in UK in PAL format region 2 DVD (positively criminal that it isn't in region 1 NTSC). They are both great, but with marked differences and separate advantages/disadvantages. The disadvantage of "Floating Palaces" is that it isn't on Blu-ray (another crime).

If you can get a very good copy of this on VHS, it's worth the trouble. I had taped it from cable in '97, but had to have the best copy still available and was lucky enough to find one. I wish anyone ordering this as great a luck as I had.

being someone that enjoys days of past. Floating palaces covers the golden age of travel. Making a come back today, sailing the oceans was the way to travel. I do wish this product could be available on a DVD version.

I video taped this series in 1998 when it came out and watched it several times. The best ocean liner documentary ever. I keep hoping it will some day be re-released on DVD since I no longer own a VCR. No other ship documentary can stand up to this one.