Microcinema
2 DVD Box Set
Region Free DVD
The Terry Jones collection is a real joy. Jones
bring his pythonesque style of humour to history, social customs and technology
in a way which is both extremely amusing and informative. While many of the
Monty Python team have made documentaries, Jones docos are unique in that they
have a rather nice bite. Jones is clearly not enamored with religious conservatism
and throws his lot in the workers rather than the establishment so offers a
breath of fresh air in a field where so many reserve their opinions. He is
honest, sarcastic, informative and above all, entertaining. There is a lot to
like in his presentation; he combines globetrotting to original sites with
re-creations and animations of early technology to great effect. He also
documents ancient technology from many different cultures, including Aztec,
Indian and Chinese, avoiding the western bias still found in many documentaries
on these subjects.
The first disc brings together the three programs
which made up the 1998 Discovery Channel mini-series Ancient Inventions. Jones wants us to truly appreciate that there
is “nothing new under the sun” so examines a bewildering range of so-called
modern technological advances showing how their precedents are to be located in
ancient ingenuity. He takes three different areas of life: war, love and the
city and examines the various inventions related to the subjects.
Episode one is on War and Conflict and examines all manner of ancient weaponry,
including the Boomerang (which he proves was not invented in Australia ! Shock
horror !), the Molotov cocktail, guns, cannons and a very early flamethrower.
He also discusses the byproducts of war and how they gave birth to medical
advances and new forms of communication.
Episode two is on Love and Sex and preempts some of the material covered in the
individual program on the subject found on disc two. Jones has a particular
beef with moral puritans and sexual suppression and so when dealing with sex is
especially amusing. He uncovers all sorts of interesting inventions which were
made due to pressure of love (and lust). The first clock, for example, was
developed by a Buddhist monk in China to assist the emperor regular his sexual
activities to the sacred astrological timetable which was the foundation of his
lineage. Then there are the first herbal forms of birth control, day after
pills, abortion potions and even pregnancy tests !
Episode three is on City Life and examines the development of the concept of the city
from the Middle East to India, Greece and Central America to modern times.
Jones then considers the various technologies which make city life possible ranging
from high rise buildings (Roman structures even got to eight stories) to fire
engines, fast-food to toilets!
The second disc offers three individual programs, The Surprising History of Rome, The Surprising History of Egypt and The Surprising History of Love and Sex.
The programs on Rome and Egypt offer a very
different view than we normally receive of these great civilizations. Rather
than focusing on the great edifices and architecture of Rome and Egypt or on
the upper classes and royalty, Jones presents the lives of the working class.
We get a fascinating view of what they wore, how they worked, what they eat and
what their lives were like. These are illustrated by excellent archaeology and
history but also by Jones trying on their clothes and eating their foods, even
offering us ancient recipes! This is hands-on archaeology which is engaging,
entertaining and extremely informative.
The Surprising
History of Sex and Love is a real gem. In many ways here Jones
shows his hand more than in any of the others. He offers a clear and honest
history of views of sexuality, from the sex positive views of ancient pagan
cultures to the sexual suppression forged by militarism and Christianity. Along
the way we are treated to everything from a history of syphilis to the laws
regulating prostitution. Some of the most amusing aspects of the program come
from the strange trivia Jones presents about cultural attitudes to sex and
morality. It is a surprising adult program yet presented in such a way that it
is not only informative but amusing. Jones has the ability to discuss the most
sensitive of subjects in a subtle way which is both inoffensive and at the same
time damn funny.
This is a superb series of documentaries; they
balance humour and wit with a highly informative script. The presentation
offers lots of onsite explorations, occasional experts, reenactments,
animations, models and experiments to keep the subjects explored as interesting
as possible. When you combine Jones humour and fast paced presentation you have
a highly successful set of documentaries.
Reviews
appear on the Synergy website with a single cover image. In the digital and
print edition, reviews appear with multiple images. We recommend you download the free digital edition (or buy the print edition) to get the most from Synergy Magazine.
This
review will appear in Volume 2 No.4
(2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.
If
you came to this page directly (and missed our menu), click here
to go to the front page of Synergy Magazine Website or click the following
link http://www.synergy-magazine.com