Cathedral (1985) [Hosted by David Macaulay]
![Cathedral (1985) [Hosted by David Macaulay]](/images/Cathedral-1985-Hosted-by-David-Macaulay-B000EOTV5W-L.jpg)
List Price:
Our Price: $12.78
You Save: $12.20 (49%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: David Macaulay, Derek JacobiBrand: PBS
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 60 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-04-11
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Unicorn Projects
DVD Reviews of Cathedral (1985) [Hosted by David Macaulay]
DVD Review: Outstanding
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched "Cathedral" as a young boy and was in awe of history and the majestic Gothic cathedrals, and how they were built as well.
Although this documentary is from 1985, it is in no way outdated. The animation helps to make history accessible to younger viewers, and helps to reinforce it for adults.
Macaulay and Caroline Berg also do a great job in presenting Gothic cathedrals plus the histories of France and Christianity to life. They are on-site for the whole documentary, instead of being interviewed in a room. Their dialouge isn't dumbed down, but also devoid of mindless intellectual jargon. I have to add that music is also pretty cool, too.
Buy this for youself, your students, or for your children, especially if you would like them to see what a truly amazing church can be.
Now, whatever became of the lovely Caroline Berg...
DVD Review: French Gothic Cathedrals
Summary: 3 Stars
The one narrow type of French Gothic cathedrals that is the subject of this video were constructed by Catholic cities mostly where bishops resided in or near France. The flying buttress that allowed the height and
stained glass windows is discussed as well as the hardships the constructions forced on the economics of these cities.
The narrow time period if about 1100-1300 ad while the catholic Church and
feudal Europe ruled. In the middle ages other types of cathedrals
were being constructed and even in other religions.
The architectural ignorance of the builders sort of added to the building style? This video is somewhat better than the one called Castle,
but both are much too narrow in approach for my liking.
DVD Review: have fun while you learn
Summary: 5 Stars
Outstanding! I have been using this video for years in my math classes. I wore one copy out and ordered another. It has animation mixed in so it keeps the students' interest. I learned a lot about the politics and architecture of the middle ages.DVD Review: Enter the medieval mindset
Summary: 4 Stars
Some background information first, to place my review in context. I have studied medieval history, have conducted surveys of medieval churches, and have even written about aspects of medieval history of my home town. So I approached this DVD with some trepidation and curiosity.
This 60-minute DVD commences with an animated sequence showing the imaginary old cathedral of Notre Dame de Beaulieu in northern France being destroyed by fire in the year 1214. `Oh dear', I thought, what have I let myself in for? But I had no need to worry. This is a marvellous production, with all the learning and integrity that PBS brings to its documentaries.
The programme focuses on the cathedrals of northern France - Chartres, Reims, Amiens, Bourges, Paris, Laon and Rennes all appear - and is presented by David Macaulay and Caroline Berg. (They are good, but have an annoying habit of addressing each other rather than the viewer.) They explain how the new Gothic style was distinguished by its greater height, its stone vaults and its walls of glass. They also quote and visit Abbot Suger's visionary works at the abbey of Saint-Denis, just north of Paris (although more recent academic work - this DVD was made in 1985 - has shown that postulated that Suger was really more of a traditionalist).
There are good graphic explanations on-screen of these changes in architecture and their effects, of how walls of glass, for example, had to be supported by piers of greater solidity, to compensate for the now-missing stone. The problem of the subsequent lack of internal volume that this entailed was solved by transferring the support away from the internal piers, which could now be more slender, outside through flying buttresses. The pinnacles on top of these are not there for purely decorative purposes, but also add weight and solidity to the structure.
Meanwhile, the interspersed animated sequences are extensive and continue throughout the programme, giving a good idea of the religious, financial, economic and social background to the construction of such mighty cathedrals. (The voices will be familiar, as they include such luminaries as Derek Jacobi and Brian Blessed.) The role of relics and pilgrimages is considered, as well as where the stone and timber came from to build these medieval skyscrapers, how the work paid for, and how it was organised. Details of how stained glass and tracery in rose windows are covered, as are the types of new sculpture supplied, how the roofs were erected and the stone vaulting was set, and the bells cast. The DVD also highlights the necessary economy in the use of stone.
As cathedrals competed to go higher and higher, there was bound to be a disaster waiting to happen. The collapse of the 150-foot high nave at Beauvais is shown in an aerial shot. Indeed, the aerial shots of the other cathedrals are excellent too, if a little short in length on screen. (But, hey, that's what's the pause button's for!)
Overall, I was very impressed with this DVD, which more than met my expectations. Much was already known, but much also was new to me, for example how the stone vaults were put in place. This programme makes a serious attempt at entering the medieval mindset in which religion and the church took centre-stage. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the medieval period of western civilisation or with an interest in gothic art and architecture.
DVD Review: McCauley's Cathedral
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this DVD--the cartoon accompanied with the on location art history lesson about Medieval architecture is wonderful. It was just something I felt I should own.
Description of Cathedral (1985) [Hosted by David Macaulay]
Studio: Pbs Release Date: 05/06/2009 Run time: 60 minutesGeneral DVDs
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Bestsellers in General DVDs
Valentino: The Last EmperorPEACE ARCH HOME ENTERTAINMENT; Release date: 2009-09-08; DVD
Best price: $13.00
Price in other shops:
The Civil War - A Film by Ken BurnsBURNS,KEN; Release date: 2004-09-28; DVD
Best price: $35.95
Price in other shops:
On the Road with Charles Kuralt, Set 1Acorn; Release date: 2009-10-27; DVD
Best price: $27.10
Price in other shops:
![The National Parks: America's Best Idea [Blu-ray] Image](/images/The-National-Parks-America-Best-Idea-Blu-ray-B002GWDK6Q-X.jpg){kind=small}
The National Parks: America's Best Idea [Blu-ray]Release date: 2009-10-06; DVD
Best price: $68.53
Price in other shops:
Monty Python: Almost The TruthUni; Release date: 2009-10-27; DVD
Best price: $18.97
Price in other shops:
The Secret (Extended Edition)The Secret; Release date: 2006-10-01; Published: 2006; DVD
Best price: $7.78
Price in other shops:
The CarterHART SHARP VIDEO; Release date: 2009-11-17; DVD
Best price: $13.85
Price in other shops:
Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best IdeaRelease date: 2009-10-06; DVD
Best price: $60.95
Price in other shops:
Planet Earth - The Complete BBC SeriesWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-04-24; DVD
Best price: $26.67
Price in other shops:
Food, Inc.MAGNOLIA PICT HM ENT; Release date: 2009-11-03; DVD
Best price: $12.49
Price in other shops:
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
NOVA: Medieval SiegeNova; Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $10.90
Price in other shops:
Castleby David Macaulay
Graphia; Published: 1982-10-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.88
Price in other shops:
City: A Story of Roman Planning and Constructionby David Macaulay
Graphia; Published: 1983-10-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.24
Price in other shops:
Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction (Sandpiper)by David Macaulay
Graphia; Published: 1981-10-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.59
Price in other shops:
Chartres Cathedral - A Sacred GeometryRelease date: 2003-09-30; DVD
Best price: $16.44
Price in other shops:
Modern Marvels - Gothic Cathedrals (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)A&E; Release date: 2005-04-26; DVD
Best price: $2.90
Price in other shops:
Mill TimesPBS; Release date: 2006-04-11; DVD
Best price: $14.17
Price in other shops:
PyramidPBS; Release date: 2006-04-11; DVD
Best price: $14.18
Price in other shops:
Roman CityPBS; Release date: 2006-04-11; DVD
Best price: $12.79
Price in other shops:
Castle (Hosted by David Macaulay)PBS; Release date: 2006-04-11; DVD
Best price: $12.69
Price in other shops: