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Amazon.co.uk Review
Historian Michael Wood embarks on an idiosyncratic journey of 20,000 miles tracing the expedition of Alexander the Great in this captivating documentary. Relying on the words of Greek and Roman historians, Wood sought to follow Alexander's route of world conquest as closely as possible, and it is simply amazing how much folklore about the great general he is able to pick up on the way. Beginning in Greece and proceeding through 16 countries, including Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Afghanistan and India, Wood listens intently to local storytellers who are still passing down the legends of Alexander. In one fascinating segment, Wood is barred from entering Iraq, but he is able to view the terrain on which Alexander's troops faced the Persians by scanning the radar screens of an American AWACS plane patrolling high above. In the course of his travels, Wood passes through four war zones and he notes that strategic regions of Alexander's day are still "on the fault lines of history". This is a lengthy production, clocking in at almost four hours, but the relaxed pace is a virtue, as Woods and the people he meets along the way, from local storytellers to noted historians, pass along an amazing array of historical knowledge. Lovers of history will find this documentary to be a joy and may well find themselves savouring every mile of Alexander's great journey. --Robert J. McNamara
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is one of the very best of Michael Wood's documentaries, an excellent blend of history and travel, not all of it easy. The comparison of the past (based on the works of classical writers quoted by Wood) with the present as experienced by Michael and film crew, is fascinating, particularly when direct links with Alexander are encountered.
Of the documentaries available on Alexander the Great, this one is definitely the best.
Of the documentaries available on Alexander the Great, this one is definitely the best.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
We watched this after watching Oliver Stone's Alexander Revisited (the final cut) and I'd recommend doing that as this documentary works brilliantly afterwards going into depth and giving you further insights. Make sure you watch the interview with Michael Wood at the end in which he comments on the film etc - it is all excellent. Michael Wood's understanding of the need for historical context and his commitment to trying to understand Alexander in his own terms as much as from our modern perpective is to be applauded. This really is a brilliant documentary - visually stunning, intriguing and entertaining. I cannot imagine anyone interested in this subject being disappointed with this 2 DVD set.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This is an excellent video for someone like myself who had little prior knowledge of Alexanders exploits.It certainly is not high brow nor is it boring. Michael Wood is enthusiastic and passionate about his subject. Following Alexanders route makes you realise just how incredible his achievments were. As a travel programme alone it is brilliant add the history as well and you have a real winner.Footage of the severity of the terrain Alexander led his army through in places like the Hindu Kush and Afganistan is amazing. These programmes inspired me to learn more about the Macedonian king and I have since read several books on the subject. A pretty good endorsement for the programme, well done Michael Wood.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
In The Footsteps Of Alexander The Great
This is a fascinating, educational documentary series following the footsteps of Alexander the Great and his conquest of much of the known world at the time. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Andrew Whitby
There are thirty Alexandrias between Africa and India
This is one of the best Michael Wood documentaries, a modern journey that is undeniably epic in scale. Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2009 by Nicholas Casley
Alexander in four parts
Michael Wood is one of that recently popularised band - the celebrity historian. I usually find his work just a little too keen on Michael Wood rather than on the subject in hand,... Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2007 by Charles Vasey
Alexander the Great, Iskandar and other versions of the tale
This is a superb presentation which has, nevertheless, some flaws. Segment one, which tells the story of Alexander's youth and the launch of the great expedition, gives due credit... Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2006 by Phillip Kay
worthy
In a historical documentary the whole thing is to be historically acurate and to provoke the interest of the audience.This documentary succeed on both two areas. Read more
Published on 13 Nov 2005
Does not hold a candle to "In Search of the Trojan War"
To be fair, Wood's production never promised to be a sweepingly majestic, 13-episode scholarly feast, as was his "In search of the Trojan War". Read more
Published on 28 Sep 2005 by nlonghu
This is not a history; more a character assassination
I have read all the classic sources, and most of the modern historical texts, which for the uninformed include writers such as Fuller, Hammond, and even Robin Fox. Read more
Published on 19 May 2005 by John L.
Seen it on video - but where's the region 2 version????
I haven't a clue what the previous review had to do with this production apart from it being about greeks????? Read more
Published on 12 April 2005 by M. A. Shore
the very best documantery for alexander
first of all of course alexander was a macedonian as leonidas was a spartian and pericles was athenian.aristoteles was a macedonian too. Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2005
Michael Wood - In the footsteps of Alexander the Great
I’m biased in that I like Michael Wood’s works & this one is no exception. He has a great ability to make history wonderfully available. Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2004 by David Lazzari
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