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Connections

  • TV Mini Series
  • 1978
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
9.3/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
James Burke in Connections (1978)
Science & Technology DocumentaryDocumentaryHistory

Follow James Burke through the history of science and technology in this collection of 10 1-hour episodes, starting with "The Trigger Effect."Follow James Burke through the history of science and technology in this collection of 10 1-hour episodes, starting with "The Trigger Effect."Follow James Burke through the history of science and technology in this collection of 10 1-hour episodes, starting with "The Trigger Effect."

  • Stars
    • James Burke
    • Kenneth Kendall
    • Bruce Boa
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    9.3/10
    1.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • James Burke
      • Kenneth Kendall
      • Bruce Boa
    • 18User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Episodes10

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season1978

    Photos1

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    Top cast6

    Edit
    James Burke
    James Burke
    • Self - Presenter
    • 1978
    Kenneth Kendall
    Kenneth Kendall
    • Newsreader
    • 1978
    Bruce Boa
    Bruce Boa
    • Newsreader
    • 1978
    Mark Wing-Davey
    Mark Wing-Davey
    • Henry V
    • 1978
    Ted Burnett
    Ted Burnett
    • Man Carrying Barrel
    • 1978
    Keith Macey
    • Saxon Child
    • 1978
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews18

    9.31.5K
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    Featured reviews

    markcarlson2222

    One of the best there is

    I've watched every episode of the original series so many times I've worn out the tapes. I don't care. I still watch them and learn more every time. I love history and James Burke makes it even more fun and interesting to me. I am particularly enamored of the sequences that deal with military history and the advancements of weaponry. 'The Long Chain' and 'Thunder in the Skies' ranks as superb in my book I wish I knew more people that love this series as I do, to chat with them about it. The other series that ranks as a winner is 'The Day the Universe Changed' which carries on in the same genre but deals with social concepts and their origins. Watch them all, and have fun learning.
    10ridsouto

    An absolute masterpiece

    For all of us fans of high quality, educational TV, the late 70s brought us 2 of the absolute best documentary series of all times: Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" and James Burke's "Connections".

    To call "Connections" enjoyable would be a huge understatement. It's just a fantastic mind-opener: it will change your view of your own world and of the way progress happens, all the while making you laugh. Burke's skill in presenting these subjects is unparalleled.

    I watched this series back in the 80s, and watching it again today you realize that it could not be more relevant today. Burke's observations are as valid and compelling now as they were more than 3 decades ago, with the addition that now you can also appreciate his foresight.

    It's not often that you can say that 10 hours spent in front of a TV screen were an excellent investment. This is one of those cases.
    10dimplet

    What planet did this guy Burke come from, and how come he knows more about ours than we do?

    Before Wikipedia, before the Internet, before the PC, there was James Burke, the original hypertext-liked encyclopedic brain.

    Remember when you first surfed the Web, how much fun it was to go from link to link exploring connections around the world, staying up till 4 in the morning? That's what Connections does, but better, with James Burke as your guide, bouncing around 150 location shoots in 20 different countries in just 10 episodes. Fasten your seat belt! This series really should be shown on MTV, it moves so fast!

    James Burke accomplishes in Connections what Jared Diamond promises in Guns, Germs and Steel, not only explaining the rise of the West's industrial, technological machine, but producing a work of true scholarly originality without being part of the academic establishment.

    If you haven't seen Connections, you must give it a chance by watching just the first 10 minutes. Or just look at the astronomical IMDb rating. Connections was the most watched program on America's PBS up to that time, and it is just as important today. If you want to understand how the world you live in came to be, you need to watch Connections.

    If still not convinced, read author: classicalsteve's review below; he nails it.

    As to what universe James Burke dropped in from, see the one critic's review from tvcream for some background.
    Cari-8

    Intriguing, entertaining, and accessible...

    The Connections series I, II and III are the most delightful and accessible approach to the history of the world and its' sciences since the Cosmos series. Compelling and Addictive... something on television that's truly worth watching. Companion books to the series are also available. The Connections series' blend of humor and Zen are incredibly entertaining--- Call it Life As We Know It 101.

    Also recommended: The Day The Universe Changed series.
    10Texaswondergirl

    Loved these shows

    When I was in a gifted and talented 7th/8th grade class, I had an incredible teacher named Mr Barnette (who I miss!) who showed us a lot of these episodes. They were fascinating then and they still fascinate me now. Its amazing how he ties things together with past and present. Much better than reading a history book. James Burke made history come alive.

    More like this

    Connections 2
    8.5
    Connections 2
    The Day the Universe Changed
    9.1
    The Day the Universe Changed
    Connections with James Burke
    9.0
    Connections with James Burke
    Connections 3
    8.5
    Connections 3
    The Ascent of Man
    8.8
    The Ascent of Man
    Civilisation
    8.7
    Civilisation
    The Planets
    9.0
    The Planets
    Universe
    8.3
    Universe
    Cosmos
    9.3
    Cosmos
    In Search of...
    8.4
    In Search of...
    The War
    9.0
    The War
    Civilisations
    7.8
    Civilisations

    Related interests

    Bonne nuit Oppy (2022)
    Science & Technology Documentary
    Dziga Vertov in L'Homme à la caméra (1929)
    Documentary
    Liam Neeson in La Liste de Schindler (1993)
    History

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The first episode of the series, "The Trigger Effect", was adapted into a film of the same name.
    • Connections
      Featured in Screenwipe: Episode #5.4 (2008)

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    FAQ14

    • How many seasons does Connections have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 17, 1978 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • James Burke's Connections
    • Production companies
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
      • Time Life Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 50m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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