England Centuries Ago
Jeffery Mingo | Homewood, IL USA | 02/04/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"This had a nice survey history of England from the fall of Rome until the arrival of William the Conqueror. Nothing is said about Ireland or Scotland and that may disappoint some. The work even contextualizes the term "Dark Ages."
As a 21st-Century American, it's easy to say "English" and mean "British." We moderns have to remember England, Scotland, and Wales. However, this documentary showed that the Island was cut up in many different ways centuries ago. I learn about kingdoms such as Wessex and Northumbria, etc. There is much focus on the Vikings and thus Scandinavians and their descendants in the United States may find that interesting.
This work had many cheesy reenactments when the art of the time would have sufficed. The work applauds itself for its 3-D graphics, but I wasn't awed by that."
Unique, well presented also in 3D, good analysis
Eugene Tenenbaum | Bronx, NY USA | 02/16/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This unique documentary presents Dark Ages England well using local footage, stylish period reconstructions, schematics, 3D graphics and animations, and expert interpretations and analyses. The sound and picture quality is good."