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In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 0794054372939
Format: NTSC
Label: Pbs (Direct)
Manufacturer: Pbs (Direct)
Number Of Items: 2
Publisher: Pbs (Direct)
Release Date: May 04, 1998
Studio: Pbs (Direct)
Theatrical Release Date: May 04, 1998
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- In Search of Shakespeare
- Michael Wood: In Search of Myths and Heroes
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
British filmmaker Michael Wood embarks on an idiosyncratic journey of 20,000 miles tracing the expedition of Alexander the Great in this captivating documentary. Relying on the words of Greek and Roman historians, Wood sought to follow Alexander's route of world conquest as closely as possible, and it is simply amazing how much folklore about the great general he is able to pick up on the way. Beginning in Greece and proceeding through 16 countries, including Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Afghanistan, and India, Wood listens intently to local storytellers who are still passing down the legends of Alexander. In one fascinating segment, Wood is barred from entering Iraq, but he is able to view the terrain on which Alexander's troops faced the Persians by scanning the radar screens of an American AWACS plane patrolling high above. In the course of his travels, Wood passes through four war zones and he notes that strategic regions of Alexander's day are still "on the fault lines of history." This is a lengthy production, clocking in at almost four hours, but the relaxed pace is a virtue, as Woods and the people he meets along the way, from local storytellers to noted historians, pass along an amazing array of historical knowledge. Lovers of history will find this documentary to be a joy and may well find themselves savoring every mile of Alexander's great journey. --Robert J. McNamara
Description:
Begin a journey of epic proportions with Michael Wood as he travels from Macedonia in Northern Greece to India, retelling one of the world's greatest stories. Divided into four parts, "The Speaking Tree" examines Alexander's childhood, "Son of God" traces the invasion of Persia and Alexander's conquest of the Persian Empire, "The Road to Samarkand", follows Alexander's move to Afghanistan, and "To the End of the Earth" sees Alexander invade India, conquering local rulers and ranging as far as the Beas River before his long-suffering, exhausted troops refuse to go any further. Unable to go on, wounded in mind and body, Alexander returns to Persia.
Average Rating: 
Rating:
- These Are The Lessons of HistoryThere are no reenactments by second-rate actors; neither are there detailed examinations of ruins, nor are there dry recitations of historical facts from graying academicians. This is a four-hour journey through 20,000 miles in the company of an entertaining, charming, knowledgeable guide, Michael Wood - some of it on foot as Alexander, himself, would have pressed ahead to his destiny into the rumored, legendary, imagined and unknown. What is the legacy of the greatest of all conquerors? What evidence ... Read More
Rating:
- Motivation -- Louis J SheehanI was new to Alexander so I didn't know what to expect. For me, this was an excellent learning experience. Among other things, 1. Alexander was wounded over 20 times personally leading his men in battle, 2. how Alexander lived a life he understood to fit numerous prophecies, 3. the results of his own and his men's motivation on both the large scale and the extraordinary efforts they were willing to make in individual battles. His saga still infuses our culture today. Louis J Sheehan
Rating:
- A unique and intruiging point of view.This DVD is 4 hours of Michael Wood and his crew literally taking the same path Alexander did on his conquest of Persia and his demise in Asia. There is no dramatization, but I still found myself quite interested. He hitches rides with warlords, his hired guards chase off bandits, and he walks through uninhabited deserts. Really amazing what he did for this production. He tells stories of Alexander throughout. Some of them are shown as dramatizations in the history channels Alexander the Great DVD, others ... Read More
Rating:
- I want to recommend this set to you....I am not a graduate level historian nor a college professor - so I am speaking as a ordinary person who (like those of you who are reading this) love history. If you are looking at this item online now then you are probably that rare minority of humans who are history buffs and are interested in learning more about Alexander the Great. I want to HIGHLY recommend this DVD/VCR set to you. I would go even farther and say this is a "must buy" situation. Michael Wood in a very likable British manner takes us on ... Read More
Rating:
- Wonderful documentaryI loved reading Alexander.I had hoped that in my lifetime I would be able to go and trace his footsteps like Mr. Wood did.Unfortunately I waited too long.Some of the places are not safe ,and very treacherous. I did go however to many places that he conquered,up to Pakistan and India.
I do not think that this is a waist of money in purchasing this DVD, on the contrary, riding on donkeys sometimes are the only way to go.
In my lifetime I have been to 49 countries,and I understand how Mr.Wood had to ... Read More
