Watch The Buccaneers

The mini-series called The Buccaneers focuses on four nouveau riche women who are experiencing unexpected challenges breaking into the New York upper class society. Their governess suggests that they make their debut in London where they may have greater success at procuring for themselves the men of their choice. A novelty in English society they are quickly able to attract young men from the English aristocracy.

The setting is the US and England of the 1870s. Viewers are able to be visually rewarded by the sumptuous costumes and settings of the world of the wealthy during that era. Great research has been done to ensure that the visual representation of that era is accurate.

More importantly, the viewer is introduced to the accepted societal customs of the time that imposed strict limitations on the freedom of women. The absorbing story weaves the realistically portrayed characters into intriguing subplots. The viewer will find that the original novel has come alive before their eyes. Like a fly on the wall they witness the high and low points that these young American women undergo in their pursuit of happiness in a world where women's rights have yet to be granted.

Marriage alliances took on important business strategies which also included adding titles from the aristocracy for prestige. For today's middle class viewer this system offers interesting insights into how the institution of marriage has evolved over time.

The musical score provides an added artistic element thus increasing the viewing pleasure. Long after the viewer has watched the story they will find themselves reflecting and pondering on what they have witnessed. The writer of this socially-oriented novel did not live to finish it but had left behind notes. Visually stunning the series provides the viewers with a renewed appreciation for the strides that societies have made in the equality of genders in society. Presentations such as these provide an innovative approach to learning about history while simultaneously being entertained.