Egypt - Beyond The Pyramids

Starring:Peter Woodward, Dr. Donald Redford, Kent Weeks
Director: David de Vries
Studio: A&E Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The four programs from the History Channel in Egypt: Beyond the Pyramids showcase current archaeological work that is changing how historians think about life in ancient Egypt. Some of the greatest temples and tombs of Egypt are visited, and authorities explain the significance of particular aspects of their construction. Efforts to restore temples that had been lost under centuries of sand are shown, and one episode focuses on the discovery of a massive complex of tombs in the Valley of the Kings, which only began to be fully explored in the mid-1990s. The host of these programs, British actor Peter Woodward, presents the material skillfully, keeping the interviews with scholars informative as well as entertaining. An episode focusing on the daily life of ancient Egyptians even features Woodward putting on the sort of makeup that ordinary Egyptians are believed to have worn as both protection from the sun and a fashion statement. Visits to archaeological digs, including a recently discovered remote site that inexplicably contains hundreds of mummies, demonstrate how what we have known about Egypt may only be a fraction of what is still left to be discovered. These programs are intelligent and the beautiful photography makes them that much more enjoyable. --Robert J. McNamara
Description
This brand new four part series takes the viewer into the heart of Egypt to sites never before seen on film. Included here are the first-ever-filmed looks at legendary sites such as the Tomb of Ramses II, the Abydos Boat Graves, and the skeletons at Mendes. State-of-the-art archaeological equipment and cutting-edge computer technology are employed to offer a deeper, fuller analysis of artifacts and sites, thereby creating a greater understanding of the lives and civilization of the Ancient Egyptians.

Egypt - Beyond The Pyramids
Average customer rating:

Enduring Spell of Ancient Egypt

An excellent documentary

Woodward really gets into it!!

A Wonderful Adventure

Excellent documentary

Egypt - Beyond The Pyramids
Starring: Peter Woodward , Dr. Donald Redford , and Kent Weeks
Director: David de Vries
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005ICEC
Release Date: 2001-06-26

Amazon.com

The four programs from the History Channel in Egypt: Beyond the Pyramids showcase current archaeological work that is changing how historians think about life in ancient Egypt. Some of the greatest temples and tombs of Egypt are visited, and authorities explain the significance of particular aspects of their construction. Efforts to restore temples that had been lost under centuries of sand are shown, and one episode focuses on the discovery of a massive complex of tombs in the Valley of the Kings, which only began to be fully explored in the mid-1990s. The host of these programs, British actor Peter Woodward, presents the material skillfully, keeping the interviews with scholars informative as well as entertaining. An episode focusing on the daily life of ancient Egyptians even features Woodward putting on the sort of makeup that ordinary Egyptians are believed to have worn as both protection from the sun and a fashion statement. Visits to archaeological digs, including a recently discovered remote site that inexplicably contains hundreds of mummies, demonstrate how what we have known about Egypt may only be a fraction of what is still left to be discovered. These programs are intelligent and the beautiful photography makes them that much more enjoyable. --Robert J. McNamara

Description

This brand new four part series takes the viewer into the heart of Egypt to sites never before seen on film. Included here are the first-ever-filmed looks at legendary sites such as the Tomb of Ramses II, the Abydos Boat Graves, and the skeletons at Mendes. State-of-the-art archaeological equipment and cutting-edge computer technology are employed to offer a deeper, fuller analysis of artifacts and sites, thereby creating a greater understanding of the lives and civilization of the Ancient Egyptians.

Customer Reviews:

Enduring Spell of Ancient Egypt.......2007-03-26

Egypt: Beyond the Pyramids, a two-DVD set, will enthrall both connoisseurs and neophytes. Superb photography, expert comments of Egyptologists, computer animation, and, last but not least, British actor Peter Woodward make this series stand out among the productions dedicated to Ancient Egypt. Woodward makes Ancient Egypt accessible to a wide audience by keeping his coverage both erudite and entertaining.

In Volume I, Woodward first guides his audience through sites such as Karnak's Great Temple, Queen Hatshepsut's Deir el-Bahri, and the Temple of Abydos. Woodward complements his comments with the insights of Egyptologists to bring back to life these sites in all their splendor. Woodward then explores KV5, the largest tomb in the Valley of the Kings, under the guidance of Kent Weeks. KV5 still has some secrets to reveal to Weeks and his team because of the enormous task that the clearing of the mausoleum represents.

In Volume II, Woodward first digs into the daily life of Ancient Egyptians. Woodward walks on site in the company of Egyptologists who provide viewers with a glimpse in the daily activities of ordinary Egyptians during the Antiquity. To the credit of the authors of this production, the life of ancient Egyptian women gets unusually extensive coverage. Woodward then delves into the spiritual beliefs of Ancient Egypt, which continue to fascinate. The quest for immortality is inseparable from human nature.

To summarize, Egypt: Beyond the Pyramids ranks among the best productions ever made for a broad audience. This production is an invitation extended to spectators to go (back) to Egypt and to view these splendors and their creators for themselves.

An excellent documentary.......2003-09-02

This four-part documentary serves either as a great introduction to Egyptology, or as an interesting look at some recent developments in the field. Though the series is numbered somewhat oddly (the third and fourth installments serve more as an introduction into Egyptian belief and culture, while the first two are more in-depth), it covers adequately a broad range of topics, and handles its subject manner well. Far from being just another picumentary of the Pyramids and Sphinx (hence the title), this film provides a beautiful and satisfying look at the wonders of Egypt while providing detailed related information.

All in all, this is an excellent film. The section on KV5 was especially fascinating. In fact, the only thing I have to complain about was having to watch Peter Woodward put on Egyptian makeup in one of the episodes. This shouldn't be enough to drive you away, however; this is a great and informative film.

Woodward really gets into it!!.......2003-03-03

This series is great fun to watch and quite informative. The cinimatography is superb and of course, Peter Woodward... He really makes it work. He is definitely into Egypt and his enthusiasm really makes the series come alive. The music overlays in this series is also very good and well produced.

From the Valley of the Kings, to Giza and everything in between, "Egypt - Beyond the Pyramids" seems to take great pride in bringing us viewers into the ancient world of Egypt without ever leaving our living rooms... of course it will inspire you to leave your living room too!

I went to Egypt in 2000, and seeing Peter Woodward narrating in the busy streets of Cairo was just as I remembered... about the only thing missing is the strong smells of herbs, spices, kebab, humid Nile air, nargila smoke, smog, and donkey doo-doo in the Cairene streets!! Oddly pleasant believe it or not! You really do get to see a lot of Egypt in these DVDs! Go get it then go to it!

A Wonderful Adventure.......2002-01-27

Egypt - Beyond the Pyramids is an exciting adventure that explores Egypt's past. As host, Peter Woodward joins in the expeditions by interviewing archaeologists, excavating graves, squeezing into narrow crevices, and even dressing up as an Egyptian. His commentary is engaging and insightful. Instead of the usual scenes of crumbling ruins, computer animation gives a more lively and detailed view of the way the Egyptians lived---both rich and poor alike.

Excellent documentary.......2001-12-18

When I first saw this DVD in Best Buy, I had to pick it up. And I was not disappointed at all. This CD explores aspects of Egyptian life that are rarely covered by popular media (AKA pyramids). You learn more about the culture and the daily life of Egyptians from here than from other sources. The presentation is definitely a production with an actor as the narrator, but he does a great job. The visuals are excellent and if you're interested in Egyptian history you will not be disappointed with this DVD. Included is a "making of" section that's pretty interesting -- including some outtakes.

World Almanac Video - Mummies and Pyramids: Egypt and Beyond

Average customer rating:

Everything you want to know about pyramids and mummies. And I mean everything!!!

World Almanac Video - Mummies and Pyramids: Egypt and Beyond
Starring: Mummies & Pyramids-Egypt & Beyond
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Description

For nearly everyone the words "pyramids" and "mummies" evoke images of ancient Egypt. Yet those intriguing cultural artifacts are by no means unique to the Land of the Pharoahs. As this series vividly demonstrates, they are found around the world, including the Americas. Indeed, the oldest mummies in the world, and some of the most sophisicated anywhere, come not from the Nily Valley but from the Atacama Desert in Chile. As archaeologists uncover these ancient mysteries of the New World, they bring to light unappreciated or misunderstood cultures whose creations and customes inspire, awe, shock and wonder. Previously broadcast on The Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel.

Customer Reviews:

Everything you want to know about pyramids and mummies. And I mean everything!!!.......2006-09-21

+++++

In this fascinating four-part documentary, we are presented with everything you want to know about pyramids and mummies. These are cultural artifacts found around the world including the Americas. (Yes! These are not just found in Egypt.) Along the way we are told of cultures, creations, and customs that inspire awe, shock, and, above all, wonder.

Throughout all four parts or episodes, we get comments from such people as anthropologists, archaeologists, historians, Egyptologists, professors, and even "anatomical detectives." Besides pyramids and mummies, we get to see or are introduced to such things as digs, excavations, ancient artifacts, burial grounds, construction techniques, ancient rituals & beliefs, ancient writings & drawings, and art.

Besides the large amount of information transmitted to the viewer in all four parts, the photography is breathtaking.

Each part begins with a thirty-second prelude, a kind of "teaser" of what a particular episode is about. Below I will state the title of each episode and duplicate the narrative of its prelude so you can get a feel of what this entire documentary is about.

(1) The ultimate guide to pyramids (50 min)

"These are some of the world's greatest monuments [referring to images of pyramids]. They combine colossal mass with precision engineering. For over 4000 years, they were unsurpassed. Yet they were built by peasant societies with only simple tools. And the Egyptians weren't alone. Pyramids were the crowning achievements of other civilizations from around the world. The search for treasure has always brought thieves and bounty hunters to the pyramids. But for today's explorers, the challenge is to reveal the amazing stories of the people who built them."

(2) The pyramids of doom: an ancient murder mystery (50 min)

"In an ancient land, in a sacred place, a vanished realm of splendor and blood, archaeologists make a shocking find. [Images of skeletons and skeleton parts are shown.] Was it a gift to the gods or was it murder?"

(3) The oldest mummies in the world (50 min)

"The Atacama Desert in Northern Chile is the driest place on Earth. It stretches from the foothills of the Andes...to the edges of the Pacific Ocean. There are few signs of life here. It hasn't rained in parts for thousands of years. But the very dryness of the Atacama has made it the perfect keeper of a unique treasure. Buried in its sands are the intimate secrets of an ancient world--the legacy of a stone-age people who believed they could conquer death."

(4) Desert mummies of Peru (45 min)

"Southern Peru is a wasteland blasted by the sun. One of the last places on Earth where life should thrive. But the sands of the Atacama Desert tell another story. These barren slopes are yielding treasures more precious than gold--artifacts and a people who once conquered this land a thousand years ago."

Finally, the DVD itself is perfect in picture and sound quality. There are no extras, subtitles, or scene selections.

In conclusion, I thought I knew a lot about pyramids and mummies. This excellent documentary showed me how much I did not know!!

(2002; 3 hr, 15 min; made for TV {Learning channel, Discovery channel}; wide screen)

+++++

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