Longitude (2000) (TV)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Charles Sturridge

Writers:

Dava Sobel (book)
Charles Sturridge (writer)

Release Date:

2 January 2000 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | History

Plot:

Parallel stories: 18th century Harrison builds the marine chronometer for safe navigation at sea; 20th century Gould is obsessed with restoring it.

Plot Keywords:

Clock | Sea | Navigation | Parallel Story | Father Son Relationship

Awards:

7 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Jonathan Coy	...	Adm. Sir Cloudsley Shovell
Christopher Hodsol	...	Capt. Ainsley
Jeremy Irons	...	Rupert Gould
Peter Cartwright	...	Army Doctor
Gemma Jones	...	Elizabeth Harrison
John Nettleton	...	Minister for the Navy
Michael Gambon	...	John Harrison
Nigel Davenport	...	Sir Charles Pelham
Liam Jennings	...	Young William Harrison
Anna Chancellor	...	Muriel Gould
Frank Finlay	...	Adm. Wagner
Geoffrey Hutchings	...	Estate Manager
Andrew Scott	...	John Campbell
John Standing	...	Capt. Proctor
John Wood	...	Sir Edmund Halley

Runtime:

250 min (2 parts) | USA:200 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:K-11 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Rupert Gould is shown contributing to the "Brains Trust" on television. The "Brains Trust" was a radio series at the time of Gould's death in 1948, and did not become a television series until 1955.

Quotes:

Sir Edmund Halley: Don't touch that, boy!
William Harrison: I didn't, sir, honest, I was just looking.
Sir Edmund Halley: Do you know what that is?
William Harrison: To tell the movements of the stars.
Sir Edmund Halley: How do you know that?
William Harrison: It's my job at home.
Sir Edmund Halley: You have one of these at home!?
William Harrison: No, sir, we use Mr. Johnson next door's chimney.
Sir Edmund Halley: And, pray, what is it that you learn from Mr. Johnson next door's chimney?
William Harrison: The time.
[...]

Movie Connections:

References "The Brains Trust" (1955)

Awesome.Must see.

Staying with my in-laws in rural Ireland,kids,wife and said in-laws watching ER or whatever,I had to stay in the kitchen to watch on a small portable TV this film I thought would be interesting.(Dirty dishes,dogs etc...). I was taken aback quite from the start. The actors (Gambon,Irons..)were terrific,but more so,believable.After 30mns I forced my dad-in-law to at least have a look at the show,which he did.

We didn't leave that kitchen for the 3 nights the series was on and merrily sorted out the after-dinner mess,all the while conversing on how to build IT.Anecdote: on the last night my eldest aughter who was 7 came into the kitchen to see what we were watching,and at that age, was captivated. It is also a great tribute to the ethics of learning and wanting,working to achieve something. Sorry if I sounded a bit Victorian in that sense.(Am not). Please watch and recommend this.