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49 of 50 people found the following review helpful
This DVD is made up of several short chapters on Agriculture, Religion, Warfare, Mediaeval Social Structure and so on. The film extracts are all from 'real life' reconstructions of villages of the correct type and from 'Sealed Knot' type reconstructions of battles. The scholars are well informed and give a clear introduction to what is a vast topic covering several hundreds of years. The explanation of how the social set up worked from the king downwards is well explained. Other titles in this series have been criticised but I would say that this one does what it says on the label and should give general satisfaction.It would certainly help you decide whether you want to follow your interest further. Minor shortcomings are the repetition of some shots and a 'picture gallery' which is only a few stills from the action parts; but that really is minor. Would make a good introduction for anyone wanting to prepare themselves for school or study in this field. Having watched it you will probably be surprised just how much you have learnt; always a good recommendation! If you can buy this at a discounted price as well then it is a bargain.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
This disc views the period of Medieval Britain as commencing in 1066 and ending in 1485. It is not the most dynamic and exciting of presentations, and the contributors (Andrew Brown of Oxford, Martin Lowry of Warwick, and Robert Swanson of Birmingham) are quite dry and factual in terms of what they have to say. But at least this latter aspect means that the viewer is required to sit and listen in order to carefully take in what is being said. However, they address their interviewer and his apparent questions rather than the viewer directly.
Meanwhile we are given footage of people playing the roles of knights and peasants, the latter on what appears to be a reconstructed medieval rural settlement. There are also some static illustrations, some of poor quality and some completely anachronistic, for example medieval life as seen through the rose-tinted eyes of the Victorians; other illustrations are contemporary but often in monochrome, and no references are made to them to explain to the viewer what he is seeing. In short, the soundtrack could be listened to as a radio broadcast and almost the same level of usefulness to the listener would result. And what's with all the completely inappropriate baroque music?
The subjects addressed by the programme include feudalism, agriculture, the law, recreation, education, etc. This is therefore a thematic rather than chronological study of life in Britain during the Middle Ages, and the everyday plays just as prominent a part therein as the politics of the crown, although there is coverage of the Wars of the Roses at the end. There are no maps provided. And the DVD's sole extra consists merely of a picture gallery.
Despite all the gripes contained in this review, it must be said that this is a professional presentation, which is full of useful information. Having said that, though, I am not impressed enough to even consider purchasing others in the series.
Meanwhile we are given footage of people playing the roles of knights and peasants, the latter on what appears to be a reconstructed medieval rural settlement. There are also some static illustrations, some of poor quality and some completely anachronistic, for example medieval life as seen through the rose-tinted eyes of the Victorians; other illustrations are contemporary but often in monochrome, and no references are made to them to explain to the viewer what he is seeing. In short, the soundtrack could be listened to as a radio broadcast and almost the same level of usefulness to the listener would result. And what's with all the completely inappropriate baroque music?
The subjects addressed by the programme include feudalism, agriculture, the law, recreation, education, etc. This is therefore a thematic rather than chronological study of life in Britain during the Middle Ages, and the everyday plays just as prominent a part therein as the politics of the crown, although there is coverage of the Wars of the Roses at the end. There are no maps provided. And the DVD's sole extra consists merely of a picture gallery.
Despite all the gripes contained in this review, it must be said that this is a professional presentation, which is full of useful information. Having said that, though, I am not impressed enough to even consider purchasing others in the series.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
This is a much enjoyable DVD for those new and old to medieval history. As a trained historian, I found it very enjoyable. My father-in-law, who never studied history, equally found it very enjoyable.
The DVD presents material in short digestable sections on different aspects of medieval life (e.g. agriculture, social structure, medieval warfare), by mixing interviews and reconstructed scenes played by presumably actors. It's both factual and engaging.
This documentary is certainly a lot better than the recent BBC series on the Normans and better than other documentaries in the same series.
The DVD presents material in short digestable sections on different aspects of medieval life (e.g. agriculture, social structure, medieval warfare), by mixing interviews and reconstructed scenes played by presumably actors. It's both factual and engaging.
This documentary is certainly a lot better than the recent BBC series on the Normans and better than other documentaries in the same series.
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