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Film Description
Kenneth Clark's landmark 13-part BBC series in which he traces the history of Western Civilisation through its visual, architectural, written and musical arts. A monumental example of quality public service broadcasting.
In 1966 BBC Television embarked on its most ambitious documentary series to date. The eminent art historian Lord Clark was commissioned to write and present an epic examination of Western European culture, defining what he considered to be the crucial phases of its development.
Civilisation: A Personal View by Lord Clark would be more than two years in the making, with filming in over 100 locations across 13 countries. The lavish series was hailed as a masterpiece when it was first transmitted in 1969. From the fall of the Roman Empire to the Industrial Revolution and beyond, Clark’s compelling narrative is accompanied by breathtaking colour photography of Europe’s greatest landmarks. This ‘history of ideas as illustrated by art and music’ remains the benchmark for the numerous programmes it inspired.
We were wrong. We expected Civilisation to be dated and ponderous but it does far more than stand up to the test of time; it shows that giving space to ideas and time ... more >
We were wrong. We expected Civilisation to be dated and ponderous but it does far more than stand up to the test of time; it shows that giving space to ideas and time to images is something we need. This is emphatically not a boring essay supporting establishment views of empire and art but an open free-minded discussion by an establishment figure from just about the last time anyone in Britain could have held those views with confidence. It is in itself a work of art, essential viewing and fun.
Civilisation was first broadcast in 1969 in 13 weekly instalments. Watch it that way now - Thursday evenings seems just about right. < less
