Ancient Inventions

In recent years, Monty Pythoner Terry Jones has created a wonderful niche for himself on television. His historical documentaries are fantastic--highly original, fascinating and a bit funny. He's managed to re-examine and breath life into seemingly mundane topics. Here with "Ancient Inventions", Jones is back with a short series (only three episodes) all about ancient technology. His purpose--to show folks of old WEREN'T stupid and their advances led to the advances of today.

Overall, the three shows are very, very good (particularly the one on city life). But, considering how PERFECT some of his other documentaries have been, this one seemed a bit of a letdown. Now I am NOT saying it's bad--but he set such a high mark with "The Crusades", "The Surprising History of Rome", "Medieval Lives" (my personal favorite). Still well worth seeing--and a nice way to learn history painlessly!

Has anyone other than me noticed how beautiful the soundtrack music is for this show? The composer is Dimitri Tchamouroff -- I slowed down the credits last night after playing the documentary 5-6 times because I'm so in love with the music. It sounds ancient, exotic, whimsical, mesmerizing all at once. Anyone know how I could lay hands on a soundtrack CD or tape of this? I feel I'll go mad unless I find it. I tried e-mailing A&E networks to ask them about it, and they are so monolithic they didn't even respond. I guess getting a soundtrack to a TV docu is kind of unusual. I thought the music had come from a major motion picture -- it is that good. I don't usually flip over music -- but in this case I could not help myself. I love music that evokes a distant past. If anyone could help me with this quest, I sure would appreciate it.

This disc stands alone; it is also one of the discs of the "Terry Jones collection" (1998). The other disc is "Terry Jones' Barbarians."

True to form Terry Jones presents a unique perspective on history in an entertaining fashion. We learn that what we thought whereas recent inventions have turned out to be either pilfered or reinvented. He brings us closer to the original inventions.

We learn things that were inventions and war strategies. City life is more about the reasons that cities in different locations and eras were built and what it was like to live in them. I had the feeling that he wanted to tell us more about sex, but the nature of the programs did not allow for this venue.

This was not as well organized and presented as most of his other presentations, but it is still worth watching and taking notes on.

I wholeheartedly concur with previous reviewer (joanmontgomerie) the soundtrack by Dimitri Tchamouroff is spectacular, especially in the chapter pertinent to the Greek inventor Heron. In some parts, the crescendo is so intense and magnificent - the track would suit a Hollywood epic by Cecil B DeMille. It is overwhelming and moves the emotions to a point you stand up and take notice. Like Joan, I wish I could find a copy of just the soundtrack, and I've played the DVD over and over, just to listen to it. Does anyone have more information on where to find the soundtrack for this DVD? Any assistance will be more than welcome. What a discovery - to find this composer.