In 1883 the volcanic island of krakatoa erupted with the most catastrophic results. this story follows the experiences of a dutch family who witnessed the eruption of krakatoa. It also follows the accounts of a missionary who recorded his accounts of the eruption. People thought it was three, small volcanoes on 1 island but through his research he discovers it is 1 giant volcano about to have a massive eruption on a scale noonoe has ever witnessed. The 4th explosion was the largest noise ever recorded. It was heard 6 thousand miles away in Brisbane,Australia! an incerdible story of survival and horrible tragedy of a Dutch family and amazing heroics and quick wit of a ship captain make this a truly great story. I was just absolutely shocked at the catastrophic effects an eruption so far reaching can inflict. a must see!!

I taped this long-winded docu-drama, and intended to watch it right through. I found much of it moderately interesting, but unfortunately the black-and-white footage of eruptions did not sit well with the technicolor narrative. Was this old footage from the 1930s? If so, why didn't the producers bother to use computer technology to add some colour?The first action sequence leading up to the tsunami was marred by the waving about of a hand-held camera. This amateurish attempt at realism never, repeat NEVER, approximates to real-life vision, as our eyes flick from one focus to another. They don't pan across a scene, blurring everything in sight.I struggled on until the ridiculous scene of the ship riding the slow-moving giant wave. This was utter nonsense. A tsunami wave travels at several HUNDRED miles an hour, and over deep ocean is very very very long but quite low in profile. It is only when it approaches land and shallow water that it becomes a high wave. The depiction of the ship somehow remaining on the 45 degree slope of water with its bow pointing up at the sky, without sliding back, was so ludicrous that I gave up and switched off.

Although I missed the first half-hour of Krakatoa: The Last Days, I saw the final hour and soon got into it.It tells the story of the distructuon of Krakatoa blowing its top and the aftermath in its wake. There was massive explosions that could be heard thousands of miles away, tsunamis and a huge cloud of ash from the final explosion.The lighthouse featured in this gets destroyed by a huge tidal wave and we see how a ship copes on the rough seas. Luckily, all survive.The special effects in this are fantastic, especially the scenes where Krakatoa is erupting.Well done to the BBC for bringing us this. For another version of this disaster, I recommend 1969's Krakatoa, East of Java with Maximilian Schell and Diane Baker.

This is an excellent account of the events surrounding the eruption of the volcano at Krakatoa and the devastation that followed. Taken from the diaries of survivors it demonstrates the strength of the human spirit and the instinct for survival when this destructive force of nature is unleashed upon them. There are so many poignant moments - the bravery of the ship's captain as he battled the tsunami, the mother who thought she had reached safety only to suffer a cruel blow in the aftermath of the tragedy and the woman who left her home to look for her dog - a decision which saved her life.Great acting, special effects and direction - unmissable.