I just have to say...
that this is one of the most gorgeous productions to look at: beautiful scenery, costumes, mansions & interiors.
shareIndeed! They must have had an enormous budget, don't you think? The music is also gorgeous (I have the cd soundtrack).
It's funny that so many people point to the 1995 Pride and Prejudice with Ehle and Firth as the moment when BBC costume drama emerged from the dark ages of production values, but it absolutely happened prior to that production. The Buccaneers is proof.