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DVD Description
Neil Oliver, archaeologist, broadcaster and charismatic presenter of the award-winning documentary series Coast, charts the birth and growth of the Scottish nation in a compelling and comprehensive series.
In ten thought-provoking, episodes Neil Oliver brings a fresh perspective to Scotland’s past and challenges many of the perceived notions of Scottish history. With stunning, BAFTA-winning cinematography and mesmerising narrative the series tells of battles and allegiances, political intrigue and religious conflict.
The series charts the journey from the diverse tribes’ first stirrings of identity around 2,000 years ago through to devolution and the reopening of the Scottish Parliament. It reveals the fascinating struggles, power brokers, incidents and characters across the years from William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Sir Walter Scott to the Highland-lowland rivalry, the Covenanters, the Darien disaster and the tobacco lords. Using the very latest in historical research, A History of Scotland is a sweeping and insightful chronicle of an often turbulent, but continuingly fascinating, nation.
Bonus Feature: How the Celts Saved Britain -- A provocative two-part documentary presented by Dan Snow. Accompanying booklet -- Includes a 24-page booklet containing historical facts and striking images of Scottish landmarks.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Neil Oliver's History of Scotland was absolutely enthralling and interesting from beginning to end. Visually, the series is stunning with wonderful landscapes, cities and historic buildings.The music perfectly complements and enhances the whole- and unlike many modern documentary series, the music did not drown out the narration. The dramatisations were not intrusive but added to the visualisation of the people and the periods. Neil Oliver clearly explains a long and complex social, cultural and political history and his constant appearances are not intrusive but add to the intensity of the story. His quirky little asides add a lovely element of Scottishness. The second half of the series from the Union of the Crowns to the present day clarified a period which though closer to our own has always seemed remote and unknown even to Scots, probably because it does not have the romantic elements associated with earlier Scottish history that we all cling to and enjoy.
I would recommend this to Scots who would like to better understand their history and to non-Scots who have very little knowledge of the long and rich history of this nation.
I saw the first part of the series on Australian tv and it was much admired and enjoyed by Australians.
Neil Oliver has done for Scottish History what David Attenborough has done for Natural History!
Can't wait for his next production.
I would recommend this to Scots who would like to better understand their history and to non-Scots who have very little knowledge of the long and rich history of this nation.
I saw the first part of the series on Australian tv and it was much admired and enjoyed by Australians.
Neil Oliver has done for Scottish History what David Attenborough has done for Natural History!
Can't wait for his next production.
114 of 116 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This historical documentary series has a tough agenda of explaining in a few episodes around a thousand years of Scotland's history. And the approach taken received criticism, although I think that was unfair.
It was said that the series was superficial. This is an obvious point as every episode contains enough material for a 13 part tv series, but the aim was clearly to give a brief overview and in that the show succeeds. It was also said that the series looked too much at the English-side of events. Again I don't feel that's fair. Pretty much every tv show featuring Scotland gets that criticism thrown at it, and besides, much of the history of the UK does involve England. English history has to be covered to provide a context or you're just left with lots of squabbling clan leaders. And finally it was criticised for historical inaccuracies. I'm not knowledgeable enough to know what they are, but if they do exist, then to my mind the history as presented was already messy and if they glossed over events for clarity, that was to the good.
What we do have is a solid introduction to a subject that makes interesting the long history of the kings of Scotland, which for me previously had just consisted of names without any knowledge of who they were or what they did. Enjoying the show is easier if you like Neil Oliver's presenting style of walking quickly along windswept moors talking over his shoulder, and for me he brings the right level of authority, even if he isn't an historian. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the intrusive historical re-enactments and dramatic techniques. The events are dramatic enough without interludes that are neither well acted or add anything that couldn't be conveyed in words. That aside, I enjoyed this series and afterwards I was often moved to seek out more details on the events covered, which as far as I was concerned was the whole point of the show.
It was said that the series was superficial. This is an obvious point as every episode contains enough material for a 13 part tv series, but the aim was clearly to give a brief overview and in that the show succeeds. It was also said that the series looked too much at the English-side of events. Again I don't feel that's fair. Pretty much every tv show featuring Scotland gets that criticism thrown at it, and besides, much of the history of the UK does involve England. English history has to be covered to provide a context or you're just left with lots of squabbling clan leaders. And finally it was criticised for historical inaccuracies. I'm not knowledgeable enough to know what they are, but if they do exist, then to my mind the history as presented was already messy and if they glossed over events for clarity, that was to the good.
What we do have is a solid introduction to a subject that makes interesting the long history of the kings of Scotland, which for me previously had just consisted of names without any knowledge of who they were or what they did. Enjoying the show is easier if you like Neil Oliver's presenting style of walking quickly along windswept moors talking over his shoulder, and for me he brings the right level of authority, even if he isn't an historian. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the intrusive historical re-enactments and dramatic techniques. The events are dramatic enough without interludes that are neither well acted or add anything that couldn't be conveyed in words. That aside, I enjoyed this series and afterwards I was often moved to seek out more details on the events covered, which as far as I was concerned was the whole point of the show.
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Ive watched this series all the way from episode one back in 2008 and as im about to watch the final epoisode on Iplayer i feel its time I said how great its been to watch thjis series, and how its told me enough to make me want to find out more about scotland.
all to often history on tv is portrayed in dull period reenactments, and yes theres been lots of this on here too...but instead of it being the way the storys told, its neil olivers great narritive that pulls you along with every event you see.
A god series should tell you the facts, a good amount of background but not over whelme you so as you think you know everything......I was facinated to relaise how scotland had a part in the american consitition, I never knew that before.
In conclusion then, this has been a pleasure to watch...in fact ill feel a tinge of sadness watching the final part..but the box set will be on my list of things to be next year and I suggest you do the same too.
all to often history on tv is portrayed in dull period reenactments, and yes theres been lots of this on here too...but instead of it being the way the storys told, its neil olivers great narritive that pulls you along with every event you see.
A god series should tell you the facts, a good amount of background but not over whelme you so as you think you know everything......I was facinated to relaise how scotland had a part in the american consitition, I never knew that before.
In conclusion then, this has been a pleasure to watch...in fact ill feel a tinge of sadness watching the final part..but the box set will be on my list of things to be next year and I suggest you do the same too.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Disappointment all around
After loving Neil Oliver's 'A History of Celtic Britain', I was absolutely shocked and dismayed by this series after only the first two episodes. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ecosse lady
Excellent series
I was hoping to watch this series in high definition but US blurays do not play this version. It says region free, but it is a different HD format. So I bought the DVD series. Read more
Published 2 months ago by AngryScotsman
Biased? I don't think so.
I've just finished watching this wonderful series and I can't help thinking that the one negative reviewer must have been watching a different series to me. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. S. J. Mitchell
A History of Scotland
This item was bought for a present therefore I don't know the content of it but the person I bought it for is delighted with it.
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. S. Wright
A History of Scotland
Fantastic DVD, really interesting, a great buy, will keep you hooked for hours. Learnt lots. He is a very good presenter with a great turn of phrase.
Published 4 months ago by J. Bell
Enthralling but irritatingly concise
This is a wonderful introduction to Scottish history, excellently presented by the charismatic presenter Neil Oliver. Read more
Published 5 months ago by G. D. Blonder
Amazing!
Truely amazing! History presented in a great way! Fantastic footage, which made me feel like back in Scotland. Neil Oliver - great! A must have for all Scotland lovers. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Agnieszka
Not biased.. much...
Nice scenes of Scotland and quite enjoyable, as for the historical content, let me sum that up for you:
"its all England's fault"
"its all England's fault"
Published 7 months ago by Chris
BRILLIANT
There are not that many authoritive accounts to be had on dvd dealing with the history of Scotland. Therefore this one is not to be missed. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Anthony Thompson
a history of scotland
I bought this as a gift for Australians, they loved the programme when it was shown in Australia and have taken it back as a lasting memory of their holiday in UK
Published 10 months ago by M. Gilbert
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