The wondrous story of the curse and craze, fame and fortune surrounding the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. Series writer and creator Christopher Frayling retraces the footsteps of the legendary archeologist Howard C... more »arter, in search of the facts behind the legend.« less
Actors:Christopher Frayling, Jack Perkins (III), Bob Brier Genres:Documentary Sub-Genres:Documentary Studio:BBC Warner Format:DVD - Color,Widescreen - Closed-captioned DVD Release Date: 05/23/2006 Original Release Date: 08/29/1993 Theatrical Release Date: 08/29/1993 Release Year: 2006 Run Time: 3hr 20min Screens: Color,Widescreen Number of Discs: 2 SwapaDVD Credits: 2 Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 0 MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Languages:English See Also:
I. J. K. Dunbar | Sydney (cultural desert) (need to get back to the | 03/19/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This series was originally broadcast in the UK in the early/mid 1990s. It is superbly constructed, beautifully narrated and is easily the best ever programme in the Egyptology genre. Frayling is brilliant at building the suspense - almost as if he was narrating a whodunnit novel. I have been trying to get a copy for years as my original video was lost. Brilliant. An absolute must."
One of the best
Andrew Wright | Sydney Australia | 12/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Christopher Frayling's BBC documentary from the early nineties is one of the better pieces of television history on ancient Egypt (second only, in my opinion, to John Romer's 1984 effort 'Ancient Lives'- when will that one be commercially released?). Frayling's penchant for cultural history works tremedously well here as he surveys both the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb itself and the significance of the discovery in the western cultural developments during the twentieth century. From an in-depth analysis of Howard Carter's work to interviews with various assorted Californian hippies with mummy fixations, this is a fascinating, well-researched and very entertaining look at the whole Tut phenomenon. It is a relief also to report that unlike many an American edition the series has not been hacked around with inexpert and insensitive editing. Highly recommended."
In depth, but with one glaring error
EgyptObsessed | 07/24/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Overall I enjoyed this and think it's a nice addition to an Egypt-phile's DVD collection, however, there was one error so glaring in the 3rd episode of disc one that I HAD to comment, and I am stil boggling that it wasn't caught in post production, let alone when it happened. When the host is discussing the theory of "radioactive" Mummies, the mummy shown is *NOT* Tutankhamun, but the mummy believed to be Seti 1. You can look at a photo earlier in the show and see Tut, and see that the two are not even remotely similar. Other then this, as I said, an enjoyable, in depth documentary, worth the money."
Expansive and well-researched
Robert Hart | West Lafayette, Indiana United States | 07/01/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This expansive 2-DVD set covers just about everything you ever wanted to know about King Tut's tomb and then some...
* King Tut's life and times
* Forensic analysis & theories on King Tut's death
* Howard Carter's personal life and struggles
* On-set visits to Carter's & Carnarvon's homes
* On-set visits to other Valley of the Kings tombs
* Step by Step analysis of the discovery & clearing of King Tut's tomb
* Eroding Egyptian Antiquities in modern times
* Modern-day religious cults and embalming practices
* The state of modern-day Egyptian and future of archaeology
Christopher Frayling excellently wrote & narrated this expansive documentary. The only drawback: grandstanding. Frayling's relentless onscreen appearances are just plain awkward at times - tending to distract rather than engage."
TOTALLY ENVELOPING!
Katydid | Orange Co., CA | 01/18/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Very well done, so much so that you felt you were there - segment on Belzoni was especially interesting - EXCELLENT! If I could afford it, I'd send a set to each of my sisters since I won't part with mine."