AllMovie

Narated by Edwin Newman, former news correspondent, presidential debate moderator, and author, Ironclads: The Monitor and the Merrimac centers around a pair of boats that revolutionized maritime warfare during the Civil War. Using original blueprints, the design for the ship is explained in detail, and a sample of protective armor is utilized to illustrate an example of the ships' defense mechanisms. A vast and rarely seen collection of period prints, etchings, photographs, and paintings is provided in order to recreate the first battle between the two mighty ships.