Sailor (1976)

Season 1

A major BBC television documentary series, first shown in 1976. About the life on board the fourth HMS Ark Royal, a British aircraft carrier. It followed the ship on a five and a half month deployment to North America in 1976 & the follow up years later to find out about some of the characters.

Released Aug. 5, 1976 Episode 30 min None+

Genres: Documentary

Keywords: imdb.royal-navy, tmdb.royal-navy, imdb.ship-s-crew, imdb.naval-uniform, imdb.naval, imdb.british-military, imdb.warship + 14 more, imdb.warplane, imdb.sea, imdb.naval-aviation, imdb.fleet-air-arm, imdb.ocean, imdb.nato, imdb.pilot, imdb.british-soldier, imdb.jet, imdb.aircraft-carrier, imdb.year-1976, imdb.deployment, imdb.sailor, imdb.ship

Network: BBC One

Country: United Kingdom
Languages: English

IMDb

8.6

/30/

Trakt

/4/

TMDb

S1E1 - Last Run Ashore

As the Ark makes preparations to sail on the morning tide, the ship's company take the opportunity to hit the bars and clubs of Plymouth for one last time.

Aug. 5, 1976, midnight

S1E2 - The Squadrons Are Coming

As the deployment gets under way, the air squadrons embark from their shore bases. Meanwhile the ship's company settle back into messdeck life.

Aug. 12, 1976, midnight

S1E3 - Happy Birthday

Plans for the ship's 21st birthday celebrations are interrupted by a call for assistance from an American submarine.

Aug. 19, 1976, midnight

S1E4 - Thoughts of Home

Ark Royal undertakes a Replenishment At Sea, and when a welcome mail drop arrives thought turn to those back at home. Spirits are kept up by Ark's own TV station and it's biggest star, Wilf.

Aug. 26, 1976, midnight

S1E5 - Puerto Rican Banyan

An insight into the work of the ship's chaplain; and the ship's arrival in San Juan provides the opportunity for a beach party and a night out on the town.

Sept. 2, 1976, midnight

S1E6 - Officer Territory

There is concern when it is suspected that somebody may have fallen over the side in rough weather. Officer training continues onboard, and life in the wardroom is highlighted.

Sept. 9, 1976, midnight

S1E7 - A Theatre Workshop

Seven weeks into the deployment, the squadrons are practicing bombing runs at the Vieques Weapons Range and there are preparations for a "sod's opera" in the hangar to entertain the crew.

Sept. 16, 1976, midnight

S1E8 - Florida USA

The ship's arrival in Mayport gives the crew the opportunity to sample the delights of the USA in it's Bi-Centennial year. One group travels to the Everglades to check out the wildlife, while a steward marries his American sweetheart.

Sept. 23, 1976, midnight

S1E9 - Homeward Bound

After leaving Florida, the ship's company look forward to their return to Plymouth. While one rating is allowed to fly home to see his pregnant wife, another pays the price for trying to do the same without permission.

Sept. 30, 1976, midnight

S1E10 - Back Home

After six months at sea, the Ark Royal returns home to Plymouth. As the crew are reunited with their families, one sailor is instead on his way to the naval detention centre.

Oct. 7, 1976, midnight

S1E11 - Eight Years On

The BBC follow-up programme - Sailor Eight Years On - revealing the sad fate of the now decrepit Ark Royal in dock and going in search of its crew members to discover how their lives have changed.

Dec. 11, 1984, midnight

S1E12 - Med Patrol

Also present we find another Ark Royal documentary, this one made in 1971 by the Central Office of Information and titled Med Patrol. At only 15-minutes it’s, of course, nowhere near as detailed or nuanced as five hours worth of Sailor, but then it provides an interesting comparison point.

Network: BBC One

Episode Runtime: 30 min.

Season Runtime: 360 min.

Released: Aug. 5, 1976

Last Air Date: Dec. 11, 1984, midnight

Status: Ended

Certification: NR

REFRESH DATA

Updated: 1 week, 4 days ago

Next update: 10 months from now