Captain Cook - Obsession and Discovery

Captain James Cook On Friday, August 26, 1768, Lieutenant James Cook sailed the Endeavour out of Plymouth harbour and into history.

By the time of his brutal murder on a Hawaiian beach just 11 years later, he had become the most famous maritime explorer in history. During three perilous global circumnavigations, he not only completely redrafted the world map, but also revolutionised navigation and maritime health, while proving the accurate measurement of longitude.

Looking For Captain Cook is an exciting and contemporary 4 x 1 hour documentary series adapted from "Captain Cook – Obsession and Betrayal in the New World" the definitive biography written by Vanessa Collingridge – British author, geographer and "Cook" expert. The series follows Vanessa as she traces her own journeys in the wake of Cook's travels.

For the first time, Looking for Captain Cook examines the Man that was James Cook, revealing the true scope of Cook's journeys and achievements, separating myth from fact, and constructing a compelling personal portrait of one of the giants of the Enlightenment.

4 x 1 hour episodes

Directors: Wain Fimeri and Paul Rudd & Matthew Thomason
Producer: Tony Wright
Series Producer: Paul Rudd
Producer: Andrew Ferns
Line Producer: Annie Venables
Executive Producers: John Barnett & Stephen Amezdroz & W. Paterson Ferns
Executive Producer Film Australia: Mark Hamlyn

A co-production by the following partners:
December Films
Film Australia
Cook Films
Ferns Productions
South Pacific Pictures

Produced with the assistance of:
NZ On Air
Canadian TV Fund
Film Victoria

Reviews

"Must see TV."

"One problem with learning about history in the school room is that many incredible feats are reduced to dates and basic details. If only all tales were recounted like Captain James Cook's in this fantastic four-part documentary... Gripping stuff."

Daily Telegraph

Thumbs Up. "This enthralling documentary carefully balances the insights and narrative of British author Vanessa Collingridge and re-enactments of Cook's expeditions without interfering with the enthralling story that unfolds."

-- Jen Rosenberg
Sydney Morning Herald TV Guide

"This is beautifully made, wholly engaging television about us, our country, and one of the most important figures in our history."

Weekend Australian

4 out of 5 Stars."..entertaining and educational (yes, it does manage to combine both) series."

Sun Herald