The Voyage of Charles Darwin

Season 1

1978 · 7 episodes · 6h 41m in all

The Voyage of Charles Darwin was a 1978 BBC television serial depicting the life of Charles Darwin, focusing largely on his voyage on HMS Beagle. The series encompasses his university days to the 1859 publication of his book On the Origin of Species and his death and is loosely based on Darwin's own letters, diaries, and journals, especially The Voyage of the Beagle and The Autobiography of Charles Darwin.[1] It starred Malcolm Stoddard as Darwin and Andrew Burt as Captain Robert FitzRoy.

Episodes

1. 1

   1. I Was Considered A Very Ordinary Boy

   31 Oct 1978 · 56 min

   Darwin is uncertain of his career. While at college, he becomes increasingly interested in the natural world. Under the influence of Professor Henslow, he signs on to a 3-year expedition aboard the Beagle.

2. 2

   2. My Mind Was a Chaos of Delight

   7 Nov 1978 · 58 min

   After taking part in an initiation rite on his first crossing of the Equator, Darwin reaches South America. There he finds the wonders of the Brazilian rainforest. During a stay in Rio de Janeiro he is confronted by the horrors of slavery.

3. 3

   3. How Wide Was the Distance Between Savage and Civilised Man

   14 Nov 1978 · 56 min

   The Beagle lands on Tierra del Fuego the southernmost tip of South America. The attempt to place a missionary among the indigenous people there fails.

4. 4

   4. Can Any Mountains, Any Continent, Withstand Such Waste?

   21 Nov 1978 · 57 min

   With the length of the expedition increased, Darwin makes an excursion across Patagonia to Buenos Aires. Later, arriving in Valparaíso, he travels across the Andes.

5. 5

   5. I Felt Myself Brought Within Reach of That Great Fact – That Mystery of Mysteries

   28 Nov 1978 · 58 min

   After finding fossilized sea shells high in the Andes, Darwin returns to the Beagle to find FitzRoy suffering from depression. While in Valparaíso, Darwin experiences earthquakes and their devastating effects. After FitzRoy's recovery, the Beagle travels to the Galápagos Islands where Darwin finds startling revelations.

6. 6

   6. Suppose That All Animals and All Plants Are Represented by the Branches of a Tree – The Tree of Life

   5 Dec 1978 · 58 min

   Darwin studies the finches in the Galápagos that would influence his theories for years to come. The Beagle returns to England after five years at sea. He begins to develop his thoughts based on his discoveries during his travels.

7. 7

   7. In the Distant Future, Light Will Be Thrown Upon the Origin of Man, and His History

   12 Dec 1978 · 58 min

   Darwin becomes worried about loss of reputation and public censure of his ideas and delays publishing his work.