Civilisation

A documentary covering the history of western civilisation from the Dark Ages to the mid 20th Century, "Civilisation" is a wide-ranging glimpse at the story of Western culture primarily through art. Art historian Kenneth Clark presents and writes in this BBC produced television series which first aired in 1969 in 13 episodes. Dapper, articulate and self assured, Clark narrates with learned interest the shifting and storied saga of European art and its influence. With footage of picturesque scenery, historic edifices, mostly famous art work and stirring Classical Music as a soundtrack the series is a pretty panoramic scope on why Western civilisation has been the foremost in the world up to the present. Whether discussing Michelangelo, Raphael, Da Vinci and the turbulent times and artistic opulence of the Italian Renaissance; Voltaire, Rousseau and the age of reason in the Enlightenment; the retreat back to nature and the resurrection of the divine in the Romantic era as artistic titans like Byron and Beethoven brought back the soul in man; and the advent of science and business in the modern era which the Industrial Revolution started bringing with them unprecedented wealth, luxury and power together with unprecedented depths of poverty and squalor.

For a documentary that calls itself "Civilisation" the film is surprisingly disappointing in its gap-filled state. One would think that one of the first obvious acts Clark would have done would be to include an episode on Greco-Roman civilization being the origins of the subject at hand. Strangely there isn't one and Clark mentions it only in patches here and there throughout the series. Topics outside of art are also focused on like literature, music and science so it's strange that there's no mention of groundbreaking inventions like the camera, aeroplane, automobile and the computer which are among the West's greatest and most distinct contributions to civilization and world history. The series differs from modern documentaries by eschewing the commonplace standard of interviewing numerous experts and personalities related to the topic at hand in favor of Clark solitarily carrying the entire documentary on his own. While this tones the film to a quiet, stately presentation of languid and glacial grace the energy, liveliness and vivacious pace of contemporary documentaries that modern viewers are used to will be sorely missed and can devalue the work to a tedious and agonizing slow crawl of a bore.

One of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful documentaries, spawning other hit TV series of its kind, "Civilisation" was a gateway to the masses on the value and aesthetics of art and its importance and relevance. Colorful and informative, "Civilisation" may well prove the fighting and perhaps irrefutable paradigm on why "The West is the best".

Totally superb. The truth is that for all the current foolish complaints about the patriarchy and white privilege etc, etc ad nauseam the facts will outlive the children's current outrage.

Here is a reminder that the west has so much to be proud of. Britain especially. We are where we are today because of the success and adoption of the British and the wests systems of government, an independent judiciary, standardized weights and measures, universal education, invention, financial institutions, etc, etc.

Without the west's civilization life will be nasty, brutish and short to quote Hobbes. This cracking documentary shows the results of supporting "from the river to the sea" and the superb developments that resulted from the terrible colonizers.

Watching the series in China, it makes me all the more proud of my heritage. The last comment is a good one; let Clark introduce himself to you, just as one reads a Herodotus or Suetonius- to be in the presence of a knowledgeable and engaging friend. having visited many of the places shown, it's also a marked benefit that the series was filmed in 1969, when travel was truly the domain of those seeking enlightenment before our days of package tours. And how clear and lucid are his discussions of culture and history! Often I found myself anticipating his next sentence from my own classes I teach, but am left feeling pedantic and plebeian by comparison. Although the BBC continues to be a source of wonderment through its historical live-action recreation series such as Auschwitz, Pompeii and the Attenboroughs, this is truly of its time when there was no need for gimmicks or embellishment. www.tracesofevil.blogspot.com

Yes opiniated, yes patrician, but also an enlightening, exceptional documentary series. Nothing else I've seen on the BBC can match it (though I enjoyed The Ascent of Man very much). A profoundly intelligent look at Western 'Art' History covering music, painting, architecture, sculpture, writing (poetry, drama, prose, philosophy) and celebrating the astonishing achievements of individuals. "There they are, you can't dismiss them". Quite.

I was a young man in my impressionable early-20s, when Kenneth Clark's "Civilisation" made its appearance on American television. I recall, at the time, thinking what ambition to entitle a program so. Public Broadcasting had not been around for many years, and I expected a stodgy, pompous, supercilious approach to the subject of art and civilization, especially as it was coming from Britain. Surely, this was a program for the elite, the snobs of the art world, the aristocrats of Europe who had access to such treasures. Kenneth Clark truly changed those first impressions, presenting in a gentle, understandable way some of the great treasures of the human species. These pieces were no longer remote, mysterious objects stuffed away in some dusty museum or moldering palace. He clearly taught about each of his choices, seeming to enjoy the opportunity to pass on to the viewer his love and admiration for these works and their meaning, as they related to the modern world and to the world long past in which they were created. He was humorous and wise, and the photography was stunning. I immediately changed my major in college to art history and, although I never became wealthy from the education, I have always appreciated what I did learn, beginning with the inspiration provided by Kenneth Clark and "Civilisation." Mr. Clark became one of those people with whom I wish I could have spent an afternoon, just listening. I haven't seen the program in many years, though it was re-run often after its first showing. I would like to see this back on television, or on DVD. I do believe it was the inspiration for many similar, and more famous programs to follow and was part of that exceptional time in television when the UK sent us its best - "Civilisation", "The First Churchills", "The Six Wives of Henry VIII", "Elizabeth R", and "I, Claudius."

If "Civilisation" ever reappears, do yourself a favor. Sit back in an easy chair, tone down the distractions, have a good hot coffee, and enjoy the story of your past. It's shared by all of us, and Kenneth Clark will introduce you to yourself.