Cathedral (1985) [Hosted by David Macaulay]

List Price: ~~$24.98~~
Our Price: $22.49
You Save: $2.49 (10%)
Availability: Usually ships in 2 to 3 days
Buy Used: from $13.08 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details

Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada

DVD details

Actor: David Macaulay, Derek Jacobi
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: 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.

DVD Review: Delightful
Summary: 5 Stars

As I've seen with other David Macaulay books brought to the small screen---Castle, Pyramid, Roman Town---Cathedral, another childhood favorite of mine, encapsulates a certain joyful magic as it brings its fact-filled story to life. Telling of the construction of a great Gothic cathedral in France during the high point of the era of faith, Cathedral interspaces live action shots set at Chartres and other notable Medieval sites, with affectionately drawn animation that lets us become eyewitnesses to the creation of a monumental work of architecture. Hosted by the author himself and narrated by Derek Jacobi, Cathedral is a rare delight.

DVD Review: Captures an age
Summary: 5 Stars

This is still one of the best ways to understand the spirit of the cathedral age. I loved watching it as a child and was very happy to be able to buy it for my son. The cartoon style is similar to the original Hobbit movie and allows a dramatic description of the inner workings of a cathedral. Every age group will learn something and I highly recommend it for people planning a trip to Western Europe because it gives you a better appreciation for what you see.

General DVDs

DVD Video

Bestsellers in General DVDs

Man on Wire
Release date: 2008-12-09; DVD
Best price: $13.37
Price in other shops: ~~$26.98~~

Blue Planet: Seas of Life (Special Edition)
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2007-10-02; DVD
Best price: $17.59
Price in other shops: ~~$59.98~~

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
Release date: 2008-10-21; DVD
Best price: $8.44
Price in other shops: ~~$26.99~~

Planet Earth & The Blue Planet Seas of Life (Special Collector's Edition)
Planet; Release date: 2007-10-02; DVD
Best price: $52.97
Price in other shops: ~~$119.98~~

The Beales of Grey Gardens - Criterion Collection
Image Entertainment; Release date: 2006-12-05; DVD
Best price: $13.60
Price in other shops: ~~$19.95~~

A Haunting in Connecticut
Release date: 2008-09-30; DVD
Best price: $3.53
Price in other shops: ~~$6.99~~

Grey Gardens - Criterion Collection
Image Entertainment; Release date: 2001-08-14; DVD
Best price: $25.20
Price in other shops: ~~$39.95~~

Religulous
Lions Gate; Release date: 2009-02-17; DVD
Best price: $10.20
Price in other shops: ~~$29.95~~

The BBC Natural History Collection featuring Planet Earth (Planet Earth/ The Blue Planet: Seas of Life Special Edition/ Life of Mammals/ Life of Birds)
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-04-01; DVD
Best price: $85.99
Price in other shops: ~~$199.92~~

Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2007-04-24; DVD
Best price: $19.49
Price in other shops: ~~$79.98~~

Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs

NOVA: Medieval Siege
Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $10.45
Price in other shops: ~~$19.95~~

Modern Marvels - Gothic Cathedrals (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)
A&E; Release date: 2005-04-26; DVD
Best price: $8.21
Price in other shops: ~~$24.95~~

Castle
by David Macaulay
Sandpiper; Published: 1982-10-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.95
Price in other shops: ~~$9.95~~

Chartres Cathedral - A Sacred Geometry
Release date: 2003-09-30; DVD
Best price: $15.74
Price in other shops: ~~$24.95~~

The Dark Ages (The History Channel )
A&E; Release date: 2007-05-29; DVD
Best price: $13.38
Price in other shops: ~~$24.95~~

Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction (Sandpiper)
by David Macaulay
Sandpiper; Published: 1981-10-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.50
Price in other shops: ~~$9.95~~