Modern Marvels - Gothic Cathedrals (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)

Starring:Modern Marvels
Studio: A&E Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Product Description
From Notre Dame to the National Cathedral in Washington D.C., the technology behind these testaments to faith has changed little in 900 years.

System Requirements:

Running Time 50 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Modern Marvels - Gothic Cathedrals (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)

Average customer rating:

Misleading title, tedious, very limited scope of information
OK

Modern Marvels - Gothic Cathedrals (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)
Starring: Modern Marvels
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Art & Artists | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Cathedral (Hosted by David Macaulay)
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ASIN: B0007WFUBK
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Product Description

From Notre Dame to the National Cathedral in Washington D.C., the technology behind these testaments to faith has changed little in 900 years.

System Requirements:

Running Time 50 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Misleading title, tedious, very limited scope of information.......2007-05-02

If you are an architecture fan and think you are going to get a thorough analysis of Gothic art and architecture, then this DVD is NOT for you.
The first 10 minutes are the only valuable ones of the show. They explain the philosophy behind building these massive structures and what they intended to portray with them in the XII Century. They give you the "basics" on what makes a Cathedral Gothic (the vaults, the pointed arches, the stained glass windows), the Gargoyles, the outside sculptures. They briefly describe you Notre Dame and Chartres in France.

Then the rest of the show talks about the National Cathedral in Washington DC, its history, its construction, its purpose, and what congregations are housed there. They spent so much time on it and the conversation went from its construction to the spiritual and patriotic significance of the Cathedral, which is all well and fine except I found it suitable as a documentary in itself. In other words, I didn't expect it as part of this title. I would have liked to hear more about the architectural features of other Cathedrals (say the York Minster in England, or Westmister Abbey, or the Cathedral in Cologne or any other for that matter). I felt cheated that I spent 45 minutes learning just about one Cathedral and its "meaning", which is rather subjective.

I normally love the History Channel documentaries but this one left me disappointed. They should have named it "A Contemporary Gothic Marvel: The National Cathedral in Washington DC" instead.

OK.......2003-08-31

"Modern Marvels/Gothic Cathedrals" tells the story behind the construction of Washington's National Cathedral. And I suppose I would have enjoyed the program more had I known that, but the title "Gothic Cathedrals" conjured up images about Notre Dame, Chartres and other masterpieces from the Middle Ages. While these were mentioned briefly, the focus on this program is squarely on the National Cathedral.

And the program does a good job explaining just how the Cathedral was built. From the foundations (25 feet under ground) to the still-unfinished stone carvings, one gets a complete picture of how the cathedral took shape.

I'd just recommend the title be changed to "Washington's National Cathedral" from "Gothic Cathedrals."

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