DVD

The Celts - Rich Traditions & Ancient Myths

Average customer rating:

I'm sorry...
what history programming should be
Excellent Documentary
Excellent video, outdated last chapter
Kelt Documentary

The Celts - Rich Traditions & Ancient Myths
Starring: Frank Delaney , Tania Grier , Proinsias Mac Cana , Enya , and Miranda Green
Director: David Richardson (IV)
Manufacturer: BBC Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0000WN10E
Release Date: 2004-02-17

Amazon.com

The Celts gave Enya her first popular showcase, but there's far more to this epic documentary series than lushly ethereal music. Produced by BBC Scotland in 1987, the six-part, six-hour series shows its age with simple graphics and visual design, but writer-narrator Frank Delaney compensates with thorough scholarship and engaging presentation. "The Man with the Golden Shoes" begins with the Celts' earliest origins in Austria, studying burial remains to reveal a fiercely independent people, driven to expansion and exploration but failing to unite against the dominant forces of Rome. Subsequent episodes follow a categorical approach to Celtic history: "The Rise of Nations" in the British Isles leads to Celtic strongholds in Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany; "A Pagan Trinity" surveys Celtic mythology and the transition (through cultural cross-pollination) from Druid priesthoods to Celtic-influenced Christian missionaries; "The Open-Ended Curve" illuminates the development of Celtic art, music, and literature; "The Final Conflict" explores the fading, and subsequent revival, of Celtic languages, and how this history is reflected in present-day (and often erroneous) definitions of "Celtic"; and "The Legacy" examines the tenacious efforts to preserve Celtic language and culture in modern society.

Delaney and director David Richardson occasionally misfire with pointless dramatizations (including a Celtic history teacher droning monotonously to his bored students), but period re-creations and archaeological studies prove consistently fascinating, and the sheer volume of information is sure to reward multiple viewings. Vintage BBC films serve as welcome bonus features, including a musical survey of Ireland, a news feature on international Celtic connections, and interviews and performances by Enya at the dawn of her phenomenal solo career. While dispelling myths to reveal the truth behind 2,500 years of history, The Celts is must-see viewing for anyone interested in this fascinating cultural heritage. --Jeff Shannon

Description

For 800 years, a proud, vibrant, richly imaginative warrior people swept ruthlessly across Europe. The ancient Greeks called them "Keltoi" and honored them as one of the great barbarian races. Follow their fascinating story from their earliest roots 2,500 years ago through the flowering of their unique culture and their enduring heritage today, enhanced with stunning reconstructions of iron-age villages, dramatizations of major historical events and visits to modern Celtic lands. This fascinating look back at the legends and legacy of the Celtic heritage is underscored by the hauntingly beautiful music of Enya.

Customer Reviews:

I'm sorry..........2007-04-01

but I can't agree with the others. This documentary started strong with the history and reenactments. Then went off into boring tangents like "modern celts" with scenes of people dancing in clubs and the like. The narrator is boring often talking endlessly, standing on some historical spot. I was waiting for Monty Python to come running through at any moment with a gag. I had to stop the dvd half way through out of sheer boredom. I would have loved to have seen more engrossing history, more reenactments, and less long-winded dry speeches in which I didn't learn much of anything.

what history programming should be.......2007-02-24

As a gift, I received the BBC series on British history by Simon Schama a few years back, and can't get enough. I have searched a long time to find anything of comparable quality. Everything I viewed was seriously disappointing, until I found this one. It does not talk down to me, or present history with the sensationalism of America's Most Wanted (which seems to be par for the course at The History Channel and increasingly PBS as well). I learned a great deal, and will be able to learn much more as I watch it again and again. I only wish I could find more BBC-produced histories, as they seem the only ones capable of doing it right.

Excellent Documentary.......2007-01-12

"The Celts - Rich Traditions & Ancient Myths" is truly an excellent film which brings to life the culture of the Celts. Throughout, it provides the viewer with a thorough and in-depth look at this ancient people who have contributed greatly to modern society. Enya's beautiful music is a nice complement to this documentary.

Excellent video, outdated last chapter.......2007-01-03

I found the video immensely comprehensive and overall well done; explaining the celtic movement along time and space (i.e. not only focusing on Ireland and Scotland), and the many factors that influenced its movement, settelment, assimilation, and impact on Europe then and now. The artifacts were stunning, the vistas wonderful.
Some of the presentation was, granted, a bit 'dated' in feeling, but then again it is not a new production but rather and older one now issued in DVD. I agree with others who reviewed with item, in that it would've been a more complete program if an updated last chapter was to be added, or even a brief commentary about the state of celtic languages in Ireland and Scotland's uplands is today, 20 years after the video was done.
Overall, I recommend the series.

Kelt Documentary.......2006-06-09

After reading a lot of books and megazines in the last year, I found a lot of information here. And the visual about the historical places that really help.

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