Your Most Humble and Obedient Servant, James Cook

One of the last films made by Jeremy Sykes before his death in the Antarctic in a helicopter accident, this NFU short commemorates the 1969 Cook bicentennial. It traces Cook’s first voyage to New Zealand and his charting of the coastline. Contemporary illustrations and dramatic camerawork are used to follow his six-month journey around Aotearoa. It also highlights Cook's navigational skills as he sailed the Endeavour, home to 94 men, two greyhounds and a goat, through uncharted waters, helping earn him his reputation as "explorer extraordinary and servant of the King".

This morning I was awakened by the singing of birds ashore. The numbers of them were certainly very great. The seemed to strain their voices with emulation perhaps. Their voices were certainly the most melodious music I have ever heard, almost imitating small bells but with the most tuneable silver sound imaginable.

– Joseph Banks

Key Cast & Crew

Geoffrey Scott

Producer

Peter Gwynne

Narrator

Lynton Diggle

Cinematographer

William Austin

As: Voice of James Cook

Ron Bowie

Producer

Jeremy Sykes

Director, Writer, Editor