- Actors: Michael Wood
- Directors: David Wallace
- Writers: Michael Wood, Homer, Plutarch
- Producers: Laurence Rees, Leo Eaton, Rebecca Dobbs
- Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
- Language: English
- Region: (US and Canada This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Paramount
- Release Date: Oct 26 2004
- Run Time: 240 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0002V7OGA
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #51,865 in DVD (See Top 100 in DVD)
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Product Description
From Amazon.com
British filmmaker Michael Wood embarks on an idiosyncratic journey of 20,000 miles tracing the expedition of Alexander the Great in this captivating documentary. Relying on the words of Greek and Roman historians, Wood sought to follow Alexander's route of world conquest as closely as possible, and it is simply amazing how much folklore about the great general he is able to pick up on the way. Beginning in Greece and proceeding through 16 countries, including Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Iran, Afghanistan, and India, Wood listens intently to local storytellers who are still passing down the legends of Alexander. In one fascinating segment, Wood is barred from entering Iraq, but he is able to view the terrain on which Alexander's troops faced the Persians by scanning the radar screens of an American AWACS plane patrolling high above. In the course of his travels, Wood passes through four war zones and he notes that strategic regions of Alexander's day are still "on the fault lines of history." This is a lengthy production, clocking in at almost four hours, but the relaxed pace is a virtue, as Woods and the people he meets along the way, from local storytellers to noted historians, pass along an amazing array of historical knowledge. Lovers of history will find this documentary to be a joy and may well find themselves savoring every mile of Alexander's great journey. --Robert J. McNamara
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Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
living history,
By James Field "jamesfield10" (New Westminster, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)
This review is from: In the Footsteps of Alexander (DVD)
This is one of the best documentaries I have seen, and certainly the best on Alexander. Michael Wood makes his subject come alive. Add to that, he knows his stuff and presents it in a way that is both accurate and engaging. The most interesting aspect of this documentary is the way he shows how the memory of Alexander remains alive in the folf memory of the people in the lands that Alexander conquered. From the perspective of a North American here on the West Coast where history is measured in a dozen or so decades, it's incredible to see bards singing in tavernas singing of the deeds of Alexander that are still as real in the minds of the people as if it happened yesterday.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing journey,
By
This review is from: In Footsteps of Alexander the Great (VHS Tape)
In 334 B.C.E., Alexander of Macedon left his home, never to return. In these videos, Michael Wood unfolds the journey that Alexander took nearly 2,500 years ago. This effort, alongside his IN SEARCH OF THE TROJAN WAR has distinguished Wood as the Carl Sagan of classical history.In this documentary we're able to view the sundry places that the Macedonian visited, conquered and cherished in his journey into history. The number of countries that he travelled thru are innumerable, including what is modern day Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Isreal, Afghanistan, Syria, India + many, many more. Some of the topography has scarcely changed in the intermittant years, while in other places the scenery has changed quite a bit. The former examples are of more interest, for it engages the viewer to imagine himself marching alongside the legendary General! Along the way, Wood carries with him his trusty CAMPAIGNS OF ALEXANDER by the Greek historian Arrian. Wood also consults the local folklore of the denizens who have descended from the very people who fought for and against Alexander. Looking at the mythology of the man from several cultural viewpoints enhances our understanding of his significance in & around Asia Minor. Although there is a great deal of information that is offered about the travels of Alexander, precious little detail is given on his tactics and strategies of battle. Also, almost nothing is said of his father, Phillip II, or the historical background of Alexander's rise to glory. For a documentary that covers the former topic, I would recommend ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND THE BATTLE OF ISSUS. For studies of the historical backdrop of Alexander's life, consider MACEDONIA: THE LAND OF A GOD (parts I & II) as well as the writings of Isocrates. All 3 of these may be found @ Amazon.com. As a sidenote, Wood's trek thru Afghanistan may be of particular interest in regards to recent developments. Wood went thru in 1996, just as the Taliban was asserting control over the country. One can see just how chaotic & dangerous life in that country was and is. According to legend, when Julius Caesar was around 30, he wept at the feet of a statue of Alexander. Caesar was overwhelmed by the fact that Alexander had conquered almost all the known world by the time he was 30, while Caesar had done so relatively little in comparison. Caesar spent the rest of his life symbolically attempting to re-trace the steps of Alexander's conquests. Here we have an opportunity to literally retrace the steps of the man the Romans posthumously annointed as Alexander "the Great." Don't pass up this chance!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging!,
By all_freckles (Lincoln, NE United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: In Footsteps of Alexander the Great (VHS Tape)
Michael Wood made this experience engaging for me. He truly wants the viewer to be interested in the experiences of Alexander the Great, and it works for me. Often, no matter how much I want to watch, documentaries can get me sleepy and I must watch the end at another time. With this documentary, I watched from start to finish, and my husband (who has a hard time sitting down for that long) joined me! Not only that, but we had a great discussion on it after the TV was turned off. Well done!
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