Empires - The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization
by Cassian Harrison
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Actor: Bill Reimbold, Jeffery Dench, Liam Neeson, Vernon Dobtcheff, Willy BowmanDirector: Cassian Harrison
Brand: Paramount
Cinematographer: Lee Pulbrook
Writer: Cassian Harrison
Editor: Maggie Choyce
Editor: Mel Quigley
Editor: Scott McEwing
Producer: Amanda Burrell
Producer: Anthony Geffen
Producer: Brian Donegan
Producer: Greg Diefenbach
Producer: Patricia Wrobel-Thomson
Producer: Ron Devillier
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Unknown; English (Subtitled)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 150 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-04-05
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: PBS Paramount
DVD Reviews of Empires - The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization
DVD Review: Well done
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're looking for an indepth look at Greek society this is not the DVD for you. However, if you have a mild to moderate understanding of the Greeks and want to brush up or learn more, this is an excelent DVD. It focuses mainly on the Athenians, but this is necessary when attempting to cover the Greeks in such a short period of time and in a western civilization context, which is what the DVD does. It starts with the rise of Athenian democracy and takes you through the Groco-persian wars, to the Peloponnesian wars and ends with the fall of Athenian empire and the death sentence of Socrates. All in all it's an excelt history.
Jacob Emrey
Author: Diana Agafy & Malachi
BA world History
DVD Review: A disappointment
Summary: 2 Stars
As much as I respect PBS for their many quality programs, this video isn't one of them. I agree with a couple of previous writers here that the information density is very low, with many inexplicable omissions for anyone who knows anything about Greek history--and I don't claim to be an expert--but I know the basics. The educational level and intended audience of this video seems to be about junior high school level.
For example, it's mentioned that Athens went to war with Syracuse one time, but no mention is made of really why; it was actually the completely wacko idea of the Greek general and traitor Alcibiades, one of the most colorful military commanders in all of Greek history, and even of the world, and yet no mention is made of that fact. Also, no mention is made of the fact that Athens was oddly enough attacking another democracy like themselves, not an oligarchical dictatorship like Sparta, with whom they had much more serious ideological issues. All that's said is that the Greeks invented politics and democracy and yet very little is actually said about important political and historical points like this.
The philosopher Socrates gets a good deal of play, but most of that is describing how ugly he was! What about his philosophy and what he actually taught? Very little is said of that--just that he was the most famous philosopher ever. At least they could have mentioned that Socrates's philosophy marked the beginnings of the influential concept of humanism, that "man is the measure of all things," and how that idea has influenced western civilization ever since. And no mention is made of his famous student Plato, without whose famous dialogs we would know almost nothing about Socrates.
To give some credit, the trial of Socrates is described in some detail, and what he said in his defense, and how that offended the jury, who voted for his death. But very little is actually said of the accusations and charges that actually landed him in such trouble, which were "...the corruption of the young, and making the worse seem the better cause..." The only thing that's mentioned is Socrates's famous quote about being a social gadly and critic during the trial, which doesn't explain what the actual charges were and why he was such a threat to the establishment.
I could go on, but I think you get the picture. There are a few useful tidbits of information, certainly, but as I and others have said, the signal to noise ratio is pretty low. I think the Greeks themselves would have given this one the thumbs down.
For a better video on Greek history, check out the History Channel offerings, "The Last Stand of the 300," and "The Rise and Fall of the Spartans," etc. Not only are they better from an information standpoint, but the realistic battle re-enactments are truly impressive to watch. As a long time martial arts instructor who has taught Hollywood actors martial arts for their movies, I was impressed with the quality and realism of the action, given the many extras involved, and how long it takes to train people. So pass this one up and check out the History Channel videos on the Greeks instead.
DVD Review: The Greeks
Summary: 4 Stars
This DVD would have been better titled The Athenians as it almost exclusively dealt with Athens. Specifically it centers on several specific Athenians who were influential from the late 6th to the late 5th century B.C. For this period and the individuals highlighted it is fantastic. However, the title is very misleading as the DVD almost completely ignores other Greek cities and periods of Greek history.DVD Review: A lovely romp with the Greeks
Summary: 5 Stars
Nicely done history, with all the major players clearly defined. Not that easy for ancient history. Very nice photography, and as far as I can tell, no factual inaccuracies. If you like history and know the period, you'll enjoy this one. If you don't know history, this one is a good choice to learn about the Greeks and the concepts we derive from them. A good show all around.DVD Review: A useful film
Summary: 4 Stars
The Greeks is initially overly dramatic, focusing on one man, but it appears historically accurate and offers some interesting scenes on the whole - useful for high school and college classes.
Dr. Roger Peace
Description of Empires - The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization
Dramatic stories and computer animation re-create Classical Greece, founder of modern science, politics, warfare, philosophy, and source of breathtaking art and architecture. This film charts the rise, triumph, and decline of the world's oldest democracy, witnessed through the eyes of Pericles, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. DVD GOLD version includes wide-screen capability, additional interviews, director's comments, and more.The lavish and lengthy production of PBS's The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization is a fitting tribute to the glory of ancient Greece, telling the story of Greek democracy from its first stirrings in 500 B.C. through to the cataclysmic wars that virtually destroyed the empire. It concludes with a fascinating look at how the Greeks were defeated, yet their philosophy endured and changed the world forever. Beautifully photographed, and with intelligent narration delivered by actor Liam Neeson, this two-volume set goes into considerable detail while also being engaging to the eye as well as the mind. The photography at ancient sites is often spectacular and judicious use of actors filmed in re-creations of critical events provide immediacy. Much of the story relates how the Greeks essentially invented politics and democracy, and interviews with prominent scholars of classical history provide insight into the major characters, including Thales, Pericles, and Socrates. The stories of epic battles on land and sea and a thoughtful treatment of the Greek ideals of heroism are presented well. But the documentary particularly succeeds in the latter stages, when the story turns to the downfall of Socrates and a thoughtful explanation of how Greek philosophy transformed civilization. --Robert J. McNamara
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