A History of Britain: The Complete Collection (2008 Repackage)
by The History Channel
Our Price: $89.50
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $49.73 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: History of BritainDirector: The History Channel
Brand: A&E
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 900 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-07-29
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: A&E Home Video (New REleaset)
DVD Reviews of A History of Britain: The Complete Collection (2008 Repackage)
DVD Review: Britain, from a certain point of view...
Summary: 5 Stars
This 2008 repackaging of 2001's "A History of Britain", featuring Simon Schama as author and presenter, is not the standard history of Great Britain. Schama is no slave to historical convention and his 15-episode retelling explores British history from a slightly different point of view.
Schama's famous BBC series traces British history from Roman Britain through the death of Winston Churchill in 1965. His focus is not timeline oriented; many prominent players in British history rate no more than passing mention. Even the iconic Churchill has to share the last episode with Eric Blair, better known by his literary name of George Orwell. Instead, Schama seeks to identify the slow, difficult steps by which Britain became a constitutional monarchy with individual freedoms and the rule of law. Those steps are found in Roman Britain, in the endless dynastic and religious wars that defined the powers of the monarchy and parliament, in the disaster of the Black Death, and in the long political and military struggles to build a united British nation and then a British empire.
The episodes feature important archeological sites, castles, ruined abbeys, and other locations where important events took place. We meet the prominent personalities of the narrative through pictures, paintings, sculptures, tomb representations, and, rarely, reenactment. Schama narrates in person, stalking through ruins, landscapes and museums while delivering his rather blunt colloquial commentary.
"A History of Britain" is not for everyone. The thematic presentation may be hard to follow for those not already familiar with British history. Those wedded to a romantic vision of a storied past may find Schama's blunt disection of power politics to be off-setting. Schama's twitchy physical presence may be distracting for some viewers.
On the other hand, this telling of British history is engaging, realistic, and thought-provoking in getting at the heart of what it means to be British. The story is as much Scottish, Irish, and Welsh as English in coverage. Prominent personalities are shown in their full rounded humanity. The presention itself is polished work. "A History of Britain" is therefore highly recommended to fans of British history looking for a fresh angle.
Description of A History of Britain: The Complete Collection (2008 Repackage)
From the dawn of civilization to the 20th century, A History of Britain: The Complete Collection re-animates familiar tales and illuminates overlooked aspects of England's past. Written and hosted by historian Simon Schama (the bestselling author of Rembrandt's Eyes and The Embarrassment of Riches), this monumental BBC production has been hailed by critics for its colorful--and controversial--approach.Discarding timelines and tiresome lineages, History® provides a lively look at the personalities and cultures that infuse Britain's past and examines the impact of this extraordinary heritage on the modern nation. From India to Ireland, the Norman Invasion to the American Revolution, Schama spotlights the epic themes and towering figures that transformed an island at the edge of the world into the greatest empire on earth.
All 15 episodes of the landmark series are available on DVD in this comprehensive collector's set.
Bestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Clans of Scotland (Three-Disc Widescreen Edition)BFS ENT and Multimedia Limi; Release date: 2010-02-23; DVD
Best price: $20.99
Price in other shops:
The History Channel Presents The Crusades - Crescent & The CrossA and E Home Video; Release date: 2005-12-26; DVD
Best price: $8.01
Price in other shops:
Artist Not Provided - BBC History of World War II (Repackage)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2009-05-26; DVD
Best price: $63.99
Price in other shops:
National Geographic - The Madness of Henry the VIIIWarner Brothers; Release date: 2006-08-15; DVD
Best price: $12.83
Price in other shops:
Simon Schama's The American Future: A Historyby American Future
WHV; Release date: 2009-01-20; DVD
Best price: $23.64
Price in other shops:
Elizabeth: The Acclaimed Saga of England's Virgin QueenA and E Home Video; Release date: 2002-05-28; DVD
Best price: $12.99
Price in other shops:
The Private Life of a Masterpiece: The Complete Seasons 1-5Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-04-08; DVD
Best price: $68.99
Price in other shops:
Simon Schama's Power of ArtWHV; Release date: 2007-06-19; DVD
Best price: $33.99
Price in other shops:
Monarchy Complete CollectionAcorn; Release date: 2010-08-03; DVD
Best price: $52.58
Price in other shops:
A History of ScotlandWHV; Release date: 2010-08-17; DVD
Best price: $42.55
Price in other shops: