Empires - Peter & Paul and the Christian Revolution

Starring:Salome Jens
Director: Margaret Koval
Studio: Pbs Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Description

From a small Italian community in 15th-century Florence, the Medici family would rise to rule Europe in many ways. Using charm, patronage, skill, duplicity and ruthlessness, they would amass unparalleled wealth and unprecedented power. They would also ignite the most important cultural and artistic revolution in Western history--the European Renaissance. But the forces of change the Medici helped unleash would one day topple their ordered world. An epic drama played out in the courts, cathedrals and palaces of Europe, this series is both the tale of one family's powerful ambition and of Europe's tortured struggle to emerge from the ravages of the dark ages.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2007-05-23

There is some pretty photography here, and the portraits of the relationships between the Medicis and their artist proteges are engaging. But I must agree with other reviewers that there is a woeful lack of true biographical material about the Medicis themselves. Why were they hated? What were the feuds about? Why did they have to leave Florence? How do they compare to the Borgias? The explanations are vague or absent. I suspect that what we have is a chamber of commerce history, with sumptuous sets and costumes and heavily accented narration, designed to make you want to visit Florence, but with very little elucidation and no insight. I think you can get a better perspective on Renaissance Italy from Hollywood's historical fiction The Prince of Foxes, starring Tyrone Power, than with this documentary.

Great art history lesson.......2007-05-15

If you are planning a trip to Italy--especially Florence, this is a must view. I watched it before I went and again after I came back--Knowing the story behind the Duomo, Pope's and Micheangelo made my trip to Florence and Rome more personal (and reduced the need for a guide). On return when watching, I could picture myself in the streets and remember standing before the paintings and sculptures captured on this video.

passable.......2007-05-03

Look, you gotta admit that there ain't many DVDs about the Medicis out there, so how can you gripe?

Unfortunately, I am tempted to quip that there still isn't a DVD out there about the Medicis, because this offering is largely concerned with other things.

True, the subject matter of each of the four episodes on this DVD is structured around broad happenings in the Medici family, but really this is just a springboard for the series's larger concern: the Renaissance and how it signalled the beginning of the modern world. To the extent that the activiies of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, and others were either influenced or directly bankrolled by this rich Florentine family, the series does hold together.

But what disappointed me was that the series seemed a bit skimpy on hard, good information about the Medicis, instead happily digressing into areas that supposedly were not the chief concern of the film. There are extensive detours into architecture, art, religion, sculpture, etc. Not that this is unwelcome: it's just that the title of the DVD seems to promise something else entirely.

Another annoying thing is that the entire narration is read in a kind of "Tales of the Crypt"-type intonation that gets old really fast, and cannot handle the range of emotion and analysis that the documentary calls for.

The film alternates between interviews with historians and scenes with costumed actors and a voiceover.

One thing I did like was the extented visualization of Brunelleschi's creation of his beloved duomo. This was a welcome experience, although much of the analysis (i.e., the details about the dome's construction) is only tangentially related to the Medicis.

I should also warn you it's quite bloody.

A Visual Supplement to Medici History.......2007-03-02

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words does a film get you? In the case of this installment of the PBS Empires series, the answer is likely "not enough." While many other reviewers here rightly note that this four-part series is a little light on its history of the Medici (and places perhaps too much focus on the artists and others of note whom the family patronized), it nevertheless presents the key Medici family members in vibrant visual detail.

Rich historical recreation is something PBS has typically done well, and they don't let us down here. Fantastic costumes, wonderful sets and on-location filming, fade-ins to the finest examples of Medici-sponsored art, and an excellent computer-generated recreation of the construction of the Duomo in Florence all provide visual compliments to the history of the Medici's contributions to the era of the Renaissance that written studies simply cannot. Thus "The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance" video series is an excellent way to supplement one's understanding of the history of this family and the political and artistic world they helped to create.

History made interesting.......2007-01-09

I thoroughly enjoyed this DVD. It brings Florence and it's history to life, and the narrator's Italian-accented English makes it more riveting. If history were taught this way, the world would be more knowledgeable.

The costumes and computer depiction of the construction of the dome on the Duomo were excellent.

Empires - Peter & Paul and the Christian Revolution

Average customer rating:

Goyim Christianity and Messianic Judaism
Uninspired & Uninteresting
Peter & Paul
Good Job
Christianity's Growing Pains

Empires - Peter & Paul and the Christian Revolution
Starring: Salome Jens
Director: Margaret Koval , Michael Chin (III) , and Douglas Cheek
Manufacturer: PBS Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Empires - The Kingdom of David - The Saga of the Israelites
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Empires - Holy Warriors: Richard the Lionheart & Saladin

ASIN: B00078XGPQ
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Description

Early Christianity faced powerful obstacles. The might of the Roman Empire and the power-politics of ancient Jerusalem laid a heavy burden on those who believed Jesus was the Messiah. But this new faith would not die. In a brief span of time, the fledgling religion would transcend its origins in the provinces of Rome and absorb the capital of the empire itself.

Customer Reviews:

Goyim Christianity and Messianic Judaism.......2006-12-24

interesting to note that messianic judaism did die when yerushalayeem died when roma burnt our beloved city to the ground and the Holy Temple destroyed by the savage romans. toda hshem (thank G'D) messianic judaism came back later on in the 20th century. one thing i noticed about the people speaking in this film failed to comment on is Shimeon (Peter) said "Shaul's teaching are hard to understand and that people will twist his teachings to their own destruction".
too say that Paul spoke out against judaism,torah,and torah observance is not biblical and not true. when it comes to the monies that Shaul brought with him to yerushalayeem he got from his goyyim converts too the jewish believers, no one can say that the jewish believes accepted or refused the money. the scriptures never talks about what happened to the money shaul brought with him too the jewish believers.
interesting film i give it 4 stars ****

Uninspired & Uninteresting.......2006-02-26

I have enjoyed many documentaries on the Christian faith on various cable (A&E) and public television channels. However, this particular documentary was very disappointing. The documentary seems unorganized and doesn't provide any genuinely interesting insights. I regret purchasing this DVD.

Peter & Paul.......2005-10-14

sirs;

I am very pleased with the CD of Peter&Paul and the Christian Revolution. Is very well made and documentated, clear for us some details that were not so clear before. I highly recomend it to enhance knowledge and faith.

Good Job.......2005-08-24

One Reviewer wrote this about the documentary, "It was bad enough when The Kingdom of David ignored the possibility of any historical substance in the Bible's first 5 books (Pentateuch), and instead gave some theologian's pet theory that scribes in Babylon had WRITTEN (not compiled) the Old Testament narrative."

First of all, beside religious fundamentalists, there's isn't anybody, let alone any serious historian, who takes the Pentateuch as historical record. Are you joking or what? You think that 5 books that tell stories or accounts of a Universe being "created" in 6 days, man being built out of mud, talking dunkey, witches, wizards, miracles, burning bush, sticks turning into snakes, parting of the sea, food dropping from heaven, curses and all sort of mystical absurdities should be considered as historical documents. I hope that you're not a history teacher or professor.

The reviewer continued to write that, "Now writer and producer Margaret Koval steps up to bat by selectively throwing out the historical record of the New Testament (which is arguably one of the most accurate historical records from antiquity, as ably argued in the book, "More Than A Carpenter"), and introduces some logical yet completely invented theories as to the rise and spread of Christianity by Jesus' early followers, most notably Peter and Paul."

Wrong again. The new Testament is far from being accurate let alone perfect. It gives conflicting account about Jesus last hours and can't even agree on his genealogy. It give contradictory interpratation on many themes, like salvation, faith, love, the nature of god and so one. Most of it isn't even first hand account. The only consistency about the New Testament is its core message, that Jesus is the son of god who came to Earth to die as a sacrifice to save humankind from an original sin.

Do I believe in the Bible or any other "holy book"? No. Do I believe in god or any supernatural being? No. Do I agree with everything in this documentary? No. It was a niece attempt and still is more reliable than the traditional belief of the New Testament. However, a lot of its theory is almost impossible to prove for lack of eveidence. Anyway, I still think that it was a very good documentary.

Christianity's Growing Pains.......2005-02-14

"Peter and Paul" tells the story of Christianity from roughly 30 AD to 70 AD; it is basically a summation of the books of "Acts" from the New Testament. I say summation because only certain events are highlighted. "Acts" has 28 chapters and it would take more than two hours to relate the story in detail.

The show is mostly made up of reanactments of events, with voice-overs quoting either an ancient historian, like Josephus, or a biblical passage. Statements from contemporary historians and theologians are also woven into the program.

The story follows the struggles of the early "Jesus community" in Jerusalem, and then the spreading of the "good news" beyond Jerusalem, mostly by Paul. The hardships and challenges they faced are detailed here, and one wonders how the church was able to survive, and indeed thrive, under such harsh conditions. It is a remarkable story, whether you believe, or not.

Lastly, I must state that this is intended to be a program of history, not faith. Some reviewers were upset that the program did not fit with his/her understanding of the events, and that's fine. But it cannot be denied that multiple understandings exist - otherwise, how else can you explain so many different branches of Christianity?

Looking through the New Testament, one can find different versions of the same story. After Jesus' death, for example, some accounts state the apostles remain in Jerusalem (Luke), while others state they returned to Galilee (Matthew, John). Elsewhere, Paul claims the "appointed time has grown very short" (1 Corinthians), but in 2 Thessalonians he states that Jesus' coming is not imminent.

It is important to remember that the New Testament was written by several people over many years, and not all of the stories/accounts/versions/ideas are going to match. The producers of this program chose one version of certain accounts and stayed with it. Sometimes it might agree with your understanding, sometimes not. Keeping this in mind will most likely enhance your enjoyment of the program. And it might even help you to see things in a new light!

Four stars.

Empires - The Medici, Godfathers of the Renaissance

Average customer rating:

Disappointing
Great art history lesson
passable
A Visual Supplement to Medici History
History made interesting

Empires - The Medici, Godfathers of the Renaissance
Starring: Pip Torrens , Federico Stefanelli , James M. Saslow , Niccolo Cioni (II) , and Ian Bustard
Director: Justin Hardy
Manufacturer: PBS
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Empires - The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization
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ASIN: B00015HXCW
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Description

A tale of one family's powerful ambition and of Europe's struggle to emerge from the ravages of the Dark Ages. Beginning in the 14th century, The Medici used charm, skill and ruthlessness to garner unparalleled wealth and power. Standing at the helm of the Renaissance, they ruled Europe for more than 300 years and inspired the great artists, scientists and thinkers who gave birth to the modern world.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2007-05-23

Great art history lesson.......2007-05-15

passable.......2007-05-03

A Visual Supplement to Medici History.......2007-03-02

History made interesting.......2007-01-09

Average customer rating:

Goyim Christianity and Messianic Judaism
Uninspired & Uninteresting
Peter & Paul
Good Job
Christianity's Growing Pains

Empires - Peter & Paul and the Christian Revolution
Starring: Salome Jens
Director: Margaret Koval , Michael Chin (III) , and Douglas Cheek
Manufacturer: Pbs Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( E ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

All | PBS | Specialty Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Empires - The Kingdom of David - The Saga of the Israelites
Empires - Martin Luther
Empires - Islam: Empire of Faith
Empires - The Roman Empire in the First Century
Empires - Holy Warriors: Richard the Lionheart & Saladin

ASIN: B0000C23CX
Release Date: 2003-11-11

Description

Early Christianity faced powerful obstacles. The might of the Roman Empire and the power-politics of ancient Jerusalem laid a heavy burden on those who believed Jesus was "the Messiah." But this new faith would not die. In a brief span of time, the fledgling religion would transcend its origins in the provinces of Rome and absorb the capital of the empire itself. With the words of Paul and other ancient writers, interviews with contemporary scholars and dramatic reenactments, Peter and Paul explores how two men weathered crippling disagreements and political persecution to lead one of history's most astonishing religious movements.

Customer Reviews:

Goyim Christianity and Messianic Judaism.......2006-12-24

Uninspired & Uninteresting.......2006-02-26

Peter & Paul.......2005-10-14

Good Job.......2005-08-24

Christianity's Growing Pains.......2005-02-14