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DVD Description
We know who explored new worlds, conquered mountains and sailed oceans. But who ‘discovered’ Britain?
In this fascinating BBC series, intrepid traveller Nick Crane (Coast, Map Man) investigates eight epic and challenging journeys, following in the footsteps of our greatest indigenous explorers.
Over eight episodes, Crane travels by foot, horse and bicycle, through our wildest landscapes. He follows eight historical journeys into uncharted territory, exploring both physical and human landscapes and revealing defining periods of social and industrial change.
From the 12th century to the 20th, from major cities to the wilds of the Hebrides, Nick pieces together how the map of Britain took shape. And, in the process, discovers something about who we are.
A follow-up to the BAFTA award-winning series Coast.
Product Description
A follow up to the BAFTA Award winning series Coast, Great British Journey follows intrepid traveller Nick Crane (Coast, Map Man) as he retraces the steps taken by Britain s greatest indigenous explorers. Over eight episodes, screened by the BBC, Crane travels by foot, horse and bicycle, through our wildest landscapes. He follows eight historical journeys into uncharted territory, exploring both physical and human landscapes and revealing defining periods of social and industrial change.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
79 of 79 people found the following review helpful
Great British Journeys is excellent viewing. Nicholas Crane is an enthusiastic and well informed presenter who is obviously at home exploring the history of the British landscape. The series is well researched and carefully explained, so each programme offers a carefully constructed insight into a certain place at a specific time. It's thoroughly enjoyable and sneakily educational. You'll be saying 'I never knew that!' all the way through.
Nick Crane follows the trails of various historic explorers/geographers, and across eight programmes this means he travels around most of the British isles. Much of the action takes place in wild countryside, where Crane gets to stride across desolate boggy marshes and tumbles down steep wooded hills -- you can't but help respect a man who gives a considered expert presentation to camera while wrestling a mountain bike down a 3-in-1 slope covered in mud!
Crane explores how the landscape and society of Britain has changed since the original journeys were made. He investigates the original routes and tries to reconstruct them. He examines the political and sociological turmoil of the time in question, and reviews it from our modern perspective. On top of that you have stunning locations and great photography. It's excellent TV, no doubt about it.
Crane also experiments with modes of transport which may have been used by his original explorers, and tries to marry up their descriptions with the modern landscape. Sometimes his field experiements succeed brilliantly -- at other times it all goes pear-shaped. And we get to see both outcomes! Crane uses various modes of transportation, from Shanks' pony to bullnose Morris, from sailing ship to canoe, and inevitably does one heck of a lot of walking. So you see the countryside around him at the speed of our ancestors -- a far slower pace than the one we rush around at today.
There are flaws; there's some snazzy camera work which is entertaining the first time you see it and then vaguely irritating. The time scale was obviously tight and much of the series was filmed in poor weather (mind you, in some of the locations there's not very much in the way of good weather!). But overall this doesn't spoil the series. I've seen it twice, and in a year or so I'll probably be happy to watch it again.
There have been several similar TV series of late (Nature of Britain; Mountain; Coast). But while the other series tent to scatterwit around the place, hopping from one location and subject to the next in six minute segments, Great British Journeys develops its theme over 45 minutes -- and it's a superior programme because of it.
Thoughtful TV for anyone with an interest in the UK. Recommended.
Nick Crane follows the trails of various historic explorers/geographers, and across eight programmes this means he travels around most of the British isles. Much of the action takes place in wild countryside, where Crane gets to stride across desolate boggy marshes and tumbles down steep wooded hills -- you can't but help respect a man who gives a considered expert presentation to camera while wrestling a mountain bike down a 3-in-1 slope covered in mud!
Crane explores how the landscape and society of Britain has changed since the original journeys were made. He investigates the original routes and tries to reconstruct them. He examines the political and sociological turmoil of the time in question, and reviews it from our modern perspective. On top of that you have stunning locations and great photography. It's excellent TV, no doubt about it.
Crane also experiments with modes of transport which may have been used by his original explorers, and tries to marry up their descriptions with the modern landscape. Sometimes his field experiements succeed brilliantly -- at other times it all goes pear-shaped. And we get to see both outcomes! Crane uses various modes of transportation, from Shanks' pony to bullnose Morris, from sailing ship to canoe, and inevitably does one heck of a lot of walking. So you see the countryside around him at the speed of our ancestors -- a far slower pace than the one we rush around at today.
There are flaws; there's some snazzy camera work which is entertaining the first time you see it and then vaguely irritating. The time scale was obviously tight and much of the series was filmed in poor weather (mind you, in some of the locations there's not very much in the way of good weather!). But overall this doesn't spoil the series. I've seen it twice, and in a year or so I'll probably be happy to watch it again.
There have been several similar TV series of late (Nature of Britain; Mountain; Coast). But while the other series tent to scatterwit around the place, hopping from one location and subject to the next in six minute segments, Great British Journeys develops its theme over 45 minutes -- and it's a superior programme because of it.
Thoughtful TV for anyone with an interest in the UK. Recommended.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Its been a bit of a 'Bandwagon' to jump on in recent years for TV companies and presenters alike, this walking up and down the British Isles promoting views of the countryside in one form or another,a bit like cooking programmes or antique programmes. We have had Neil Oliver, Julia Bradbury,Griff Rhys Jones,David Dimbleby, Alan Titchmarsh and Nicholas Crane to name but a few. All these programmes will have their positives and negatives for various tastes, but for me the one presenter that is head and shoulders above the rest is Nicholas Crane. His style of presentation is so enthusiastic and genuine, he visits some truly memorable places and does not mind getting his feet wet in the process.The only drawback to this DVD is that it only lasts 480 minutes and the only problem now for Nicholas is, are there any more options left to make similar programmes.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
A nice program to relax in and enjoy the journeys with Nicholas Crane. Nicholas has an easy voice to listen to and captivates his audience with the very interesting information he delivers in the footsteps of the journeys he follows.
I would recommend this series to anyone with an interest in the UK and its poetic and social past.
I would recommend this series to anyone with an interest in the UK and its poetic and social past.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Shaky
This is one series Iwould really have liked to have liked. I bought it aminly on the strength of Nick's presentation in the Coast series, and to see a some of the walks in the UK... Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Price
Great British Journeys
This is the most boring series I have ever seen. It is ideal for watching if you are trying to get off to sleep!
Published 4 months ago by Packwood Books
Great BBC Series
Great British Journeys are films which I can watch all the day with open eyes - every moment is fascinating, amazing images are paralel to very interesting text, I am as tired as... Read more
Published 5 months ago by AlicjaT
Great countryside, but
By halfway through the first episode I had become seriously irritated. Why? Instead of looking forward to uninterrupted views of the fantastic British countryside, all I saw was... Read more
Published on 20 Aug 2009 by M. Lathan
Lacks Depth, Irritating Music
What a pity - the subject matter is excellent and a real eye opener.
But the execution is terrible. Read more
But the execution is terrible. Read more
Published on 8 Jun 2009 by Paul D. Hartley
great British journeys
Enjoyed the series, beautiful scenery but would have like more information on the places nick crane visited. Have seen great places that i would never get to see.
Published on 2 April 2009 by Dianne Bolton
Some of it is excellent
As an Englishman in exile for over 55 years, I found Nicholas Crane's 'Great British Journeys' a little disappointing. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2009 by Brian Barratt
Quality Telly
This a great DVD for those wanting to see diverse parts of the Great British countryside.
Nick Crane does an admirable job of retracing documented jouneys made during,... Read more
Nick Crane does an admirable job of retracing documented jouneys made during,... Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2008 by Brim
Great British Journeys
This is a must for all who are interested in knowing more about the bold travellers who mapped the country, from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland to Cape Cornwall from the... Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2008 by Mark Boulton
Happy walks
I like Nicholas Crane a lot and this series is a great idea. I did find the camera work very irritating though and a great distraction. Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2008 by Margaret Swift
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