Some things I liked some I did not.

Purely Joyful Movie!

just watch it!

Good concept, poorly executed.

In the 18th century, latitude is readily observable but longitude is nearly impossible. The inability to find longitude is the difference between life and death. After one particularly devastating loss, the government offers £20k for a practical solution. The solution lies in a marine chronometer that can work on the rolling seas. Clockmaker John Harrison (Michael Gambon) creates such a clock as he struggles to prove his invention's accuracy. In post-WWII, Rupert Gould (Jeremy Irons) becomes obsessed with finding Harrison's clocks and restoring them to their working conditions.It's an eye opening slice of scientific and exploration history. It seems like such an unsexy slice of history but it's such an important one. Surprisingly, this movie makes it compelling. It's a great way to see into another era. Harrison is the quintessential underdog and Michael Gambon does a great job making him a socially awkward man. There is a compelling competition with the scientific old guard. Jeremy Irons' modern story isn't quite as compelling. Overall, this is very enlightening history lesson and a well-made one at that.

I bought this movie on DVD and it ended up costing me just few euros. Didn't except much but was intrigued by its historical settings and actors presented on the cover of the DVD. When I started to watch it I noticed that I was glued to my seat for the rest of the movie. When it was over I realized I could not find any flaw in this movie and its now considered to be one of my favorite movies.The story or should I say stories are both great. Transitioning between the original creator of the clocks in 1800's and the veteran of the first world war, who takes its his personal quest to find the clocks and fix them to working condition, is handled marvelously. In the end this is a story of unappreciated persons in two points of history who both are connected by the obsession to the most precise time there can be.I recommend this movie to anyone interested in history or people that enjoy great movies. From me it gets full ten points.

All great stories deal with conflict and overcoming difficulties. The vast majority of films that are produced thesedays feature heros who triumph based on who is a bigger bad ass or has got the biggest guns or bombs. Here is a film that has virtually no 'action' other than a few cannons fired and a lashing or two during the parts at sea, but is filled with the sort of tension and drama that keeps the viewer constantly involved.If you enjoy intelligent movies, then you should definitely seek this film out. It sounds dreadfully boring if you read the plot summary, but it isn't. It is wonderfully written and produced and contains much light humor as well, making it truly entertaining.One film that it reminded me of is "Master and Commander" because of the similar scenes of the British navy and the theme of the struggle of science and progress in the face of war and politics with intelligence and perseverance winning out in the end.The interwoven story of Rupert Gould is just as interesting and provides an artistic counterpoint to the main story. Again, we have the story of a man who continues with his work in spite of numerous obstacles of the most serious magnitude because he knows that the world will be a better place as a result of that work.The film is long and you should wait until you have enough time to sit down and watch it through to the end because once you begin you will have difficulty turning it off.

Longitude is an example of the very best in television drama. Based on a true story, meticulously acted and directed, this is the type of movie that the British do better than anyone else in the world.The performances of the two principals, Michael Gambon and Jeremy Irons were awe inspiring, the excellent supporting cast did not let them down.What on the surface sounds like a dry story - the search for a means of accurately determining longitude at sea - and the obsession many years later of a returned WW1 soldier with locating and restoring the devices invented for that purpose - was turned into a genuine cliffhanger by the producers. Initially I found the switching from one story to another somewhat disconcerting, but it was done so well that it soon felt quite comfortable.This is the story of one man's lifelong trial and error search to perfect his devices and to win the prize offered for the solution to the longitude problem. Against all odds and at great damage to his health he and his son eventually succeeded. Interspersed with this is the story of another man centuries later who was determined to locate & restore the devices and to ensure their preservation for future generations.I can really recommend this show to anyone with an enquiring mind, who enjoys a fascinating story, excellently told.