Introduction: Across many centuries, Greece has remained a pivotal contributor to Western Civilization. This media collection containing DVD’s, CD’s, and audiocassettes focuses on these contributions in the subject matters of art, travel, history, and literature.
The purpose of this mediagraphy is to provide a variety of audio and visual resources for application in the public library setting. These materials can be used by students, historians, travelers, and other patrons to explore the many wonders of Greece.
Statement of Purpose: The Greek philosopher Plato once said: “As the builders say, the larger stones do not lie well without the lesser.” Before looking at Greece as an entire entity, one must understand all those contributing factors, or lesser stones, that worked together to create the Greece we know today. Because the materials supporting this study are tremendous and are being constantly updated and re-created, this mediagraphy will only continue to grow.
This mediagraphy is divided into four sections. The intention of the first section is to provide a general picture of Greece from the standpoint of the tourist. These videos contain a little bit of everything: beautiful scenery, history, culture, and so on. The Greek History and Culture section comprises the larger portion of the mediagraphy. While the initial media is guided more towards the general overview, this history section explores the significant historical contributions of Greece. It begins with a general overview of Ancient Greece and then delves into more specific areas detailing the famous battles, events, and contributors to Greek history. The next part of the mediagraphy focuses on the literary aspect of Greek culture. This section begins with a DVD outlining the generals of Greek myths and then offers famous works like The Iliad and the Odyssey in audiobook form. Finally, the mediagraphy ends with materials oftentimes loosely based on Greek history/literature produced for entertainment purposes.
Issues in Media: Today we live in a very visual society, from video playing iphones to streaming video. The best way to gain a deeper understanding of a topic is to begin with the “visual.” For regular patrons or soon to be tourists, this mediagraphy begins with a general sense of the destination to explore. Well-produced documentaries with cutting edge camera work and witty hosts will draw the reluctant patron in. Oftentimes, no matter how captivating the visual aspect of any subject is, the historical study can become dry and boring. When you combine the history with the visual, people are drawn back in. For those patrons who enjoy the history but perhaps lack the time or eyesight to fully enjoy the texts, histories of Greece are also available in the audiobook format. The literature portion of this mediagraphy is particularly heavy in the audiobook format, as it should be. The Iliad and the Odyssey are epic poems that were only first written down by Homer. For decade’s prior, these stories were circulated by word of mouth from town to town. In order to understand this oral tradition, these famous epics should be heard. Finally, Hollywood today, while oftentimes damaging, does have the power to reinvent a genre. Movies like 300 and Troy, even with their discrepancies, can enchant younger viewers more than reading a chapter in their World Literature textbooks.
Selection Criteria: The selection criteria was based on reviews found within three main sources: Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com and libraryvideo.com. Three websites yielded multiple reviews from sources like Audiofile, School Librarian, Kirkus, and School Library Journal. By searching these three locations in addition to various other Google searches, this mediagraphy represents a variety of the best resources that can be found on the topic of Greece. In addition to the reviews, the producers of the media in addition to potential companion materials make these valuable media sources.
Uses: This Greek collection can have various uses in the public library. Entire displays can be designed around Greece or any of its subtopics. Travel agents can work in conjunction with libraries to produce materials for tourists interested in Greek travel. The public library can also use these materials in conjunction with school projects. For example, when the 9th graders of most Indiana high schools read portions of The Odyssey or when the upperclassmen read The Iliad, complementary materials/displays can be used to supplement their reading, from presentation of movies to discussion by local university scholars. Varied media is also available for the primary and middle school grades. These videos can be shown in conjunction with story time or a book club. Overall, these visual and audio materials can be used to not only spark interest in a topic but to also expand people’s knowledge of it.
Greece and the Greek Islands – Travel
Visions of Greece
Acorn Media
DVD
2002
167 minutes
$24.95
Available from:
Publisher– “A breathtakingly beautiful virtual tour shot in high definition from a helicopter-mounted camera. Lifting off from Athens, you embark on a modern odyssey as varied and dramatic as Greek history, exploring exotic islands scattered like stones in the brilliant blue Aegean, ancient ruins, verdant hills, rocky coastlines, and timeless traditions. The dramatic view is enhanced by a soundtrack of traditional and modern Greek music and a narrative that celebrates Greek history and mythology. With nearly an hour of bonus footage not seen on public television.”
Video Librarian – “The Greek mainland and isles are both fascinating and staggeringly beautiful when viewed from the air, and that's what Visions of Greece (and its sequel, Visions of Greece: Off the Beaten Path, also contained on this disc) offers: a smooth, airborne ride over ancient hilltop ruins, a sparkling blue Aegean Sea, and magnificent topography. Viewers will enjoy bird's-eye perspectives of Nea Kameni (the underwater volcano beneath a green cove), the First Circle of the Royal Tombs (home--and alleged tomb--of King Agamemnon and his murderous wife and children), the monastery of St. John Chrysostom (improbably situated, all alone, on the steep side of a mountain), the breathtaking Mt. Athos, and the lovely, winding Filiouri River, among other sights. Backed with gentle music and informative narration, the programs feature nearly an hour of bonus footage not seen in the televised versions. Highly recommended.”
"...stunning...high-quality..."- Booklist (Sept 15, 2004)
Rudy Maxa: Europe to the Max: Hidden Treasures - Mysteries of Greece and Rome
Questar
DVD
2006
117 minutes
$12.99
Available from:
Publisher – “Rudy Maxa, host of the award-winning public television series, Smart Travels: Europe with Rudy Maxa, invites you to tour Athens’s historic sites, take a pilgrimage to the famed oracle of Delphi, and visit a beautiful medieval monastery. After island hopping on the sun-drenched Aegean, explore the environs of Rome by way of the Appian Way. Experience Rudy's favorite classical sites around the Mediterranean.”
All Movie Guide - “Rudy Maxa: Europe to the Max: Hidden Treasures - Mysteries of Greece and Rome features the travel veteran showcasing a variety of destinations including Athens, Delphi, Pompeii, and a variety of Greek islands all the while offering tips that will allow the viewer to maximize the amount of pleasure to be derived from a vacation in these places.”~ Perry Seibert
Amazon Customer Review
Jennifer Burnes from Saint Charles, Missouri
“This is not one of the best Hidden Treasures videos. However, It does blow the Globe Trekker - Greece DVD out of the water. This video does a lot better job of portraying Greece, that's why I hesitate to only give it three stars. But, The Athens, and Out of Rome episodes are a tad boring.
I did, however, enjoy the Greek Island episode where I fell in love with Santorini. Rudy Maxa did a great job of portraying this lovely island. I can't wait to go.
Nonetheless, you should give this video (and Greece) chance. I haven't been that much of a Greece fan, but since I've watched this video it is growing on me a little. It has so many many wonderful, archaeological sights!”
Rick Steves Best of Travels in Europe - Greece, Turkey, Israel & Egypt
Questar
DVD
2007
240 minutes $19.95 Available from: Amazon Library video
Note: Despite the 2007 date, this series looks dated. However, the idea of this video is to provide a aesthetic look at Greece and the islands, and despite the age of the video, this video succeeds in this task.
Publisher – “Join popular PBS personality Rick Steves on a grand tour of the Greek Isles, and get a real feel for the people he meets. Find a true understanding of treasured local customs with visits to Athens and the Acropolis; The Peloponnese and the Mycenae Palace; The Greek Islands; Central Turkey, Ankara and Cappadocia; Turkish West Coast, Kusadasi and Ephesus; Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and Kibbutz Ein Gedi; Cairo to Luxor; The Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Extra Features: Gates of Jerusalem; Thessalonika and Greek Monasteries; Istanbul; and Rick’s Back Door Travel Tips.”
Library Video – “Europe TV shows filmed on the Eastern Mediterranean. Viewers will be taken to "Athens and the Peloponnese" to visit the old port of Nafplio and to explore the Peloponnese Peninsula and the city of Athens. They'll also see the ruins of Olympia, the best preserved ancient theater at Epidauros and the ancient capital of Mycenae. Other attractions include the majestic Acropolis and the National Archeological Museum. In "Greek Islands," viewers will experience the sunny climate, great beaches and relaxed culture. Travelers can go island-hopping on the Aegean ferries to visit exotic Santorini, ride a motorbike around Samos and hang out on the island of Lipsi to sample the local cuisine. Other places featured include the Spillani Monastery, the ancient ruins of Akroteri and the Temple of Hera.”
Amazon Customer Review: Boynton Beach, FL
“This is a wonderful travel guide if you are going to any of the countries that are included. The video is high quality and Rick Steves provides great tips and recommendations. It will double as our June 2003 Mediterranean Cruise souvenir and is a wonderful reminder of a Greek vacation we had several years ago.”
Greek History and Culture
Ancient Greece
Woodhaven Entertainment
DVD
2004
50 minutes
$9.95
Available from:
Library Video – “CBS examines important events in the history of ancient Greece by using historically accurate reenactments in this educational program, hosted by Walter Cronkite. Includes two episodes of the Emmy Award-winning You Are There series.”
Library Journal – “You Are There, the Emmy Award-winning live 1950s CBS-TV series, presents famous historical events as if they were covered by modern media. Introduced by Walter Cronkite, the stories are based on primary sources, and while most of the programs are reenactments, several include actual footage. There are 12 episodes on six DVDs. Ancient Greece includes "The Triumph Alexander the Great"-on Alexander's handling of the revolt of Macedonian troops in 324 BCE-and "The Death of Socrates," in 399 BCE… All strike a nice balance between historical accuracy and popular entertainment. These excellent, landmark programs are a valuable contribution to both history and journalism studies. Highly recommended for all collections.”
Library Media Connections - "This is an excellent series that should find a wide audience not only in the classroom but also in any library...Recommended."- (Oct 2005)
Athens and Ancient Greece
Questar
DVD
1994
78 minutes
$19.95
Available from:
Library Video – “Greek customs come alive and daily life is revealed through computer graphics, archival film and classic art. Tour the Acropolis in the 5th century B.C., gaze at the statue of Athena and the Parthenon, and discover the theatre of Dionysus, Olympia (home of the Olympic Games), the Temple of Zeus and more. Then travel to the Mycenae, Santorini and Atlantis, the legendary lost continent.
Video Librarian - Want proof that the modern attention span has dwindled over the centuries? Check this: in Athens, theatregoers would sit and watch 4 or 5 plays in a row on stone seats with no fanny cushion. Who among us today is capable of such an Olympian feat? Combining computer technology, amiable narration, and good location shooting, this volume in the Great Cities of the Ancient World takes viewers on a tour of the grandeur that was Greece. Visiting some 25 landmark structures-from the Acropolis to the Temple of Apollo-in Athens, Corinth, Olympia, Mycenae, Santorini, and Atlantis (no location shots here), Athens and Ancient Greece beefs up the visuals by including action-oriented color-tinted film clips from early movies (including Leni Riefenstahl's Olympia). Part history, part travel documentary, there's even a recipe for the erstwhile popular Spartan Black Soup (mix a pound of pork meat with one cup of pig's blood, add some salt and herbs, and call me when it's ready). Similar to The Story of Rome and Pompeii (VL-1/94) in approach, this is an excellent choice for both public and school libraries. Highly recommended.”
Amazon Customer Review
Michel Corbin – Chicago, IL
“This is a very enjoyable DVD which is both travelogue and history. It covers not only Athens, but Delphi, Corinth, Olympia, Sparta, Mycenae and other cities of ancient Greece. The viewer is taken to the modern locations of these ancient places and provided with a wealth of information. The real plus for this video however, is the use of graphical reconstructions for each location or monument mentioned -- and the reconstruction is superimposed on its modern ruin. This is a marvelous way to get a sense of the glory of Greek architecture and a sense of place, especially when only a few ruins remain. You won't get a detailed history of ancient Hellas and some of the pronunciations used are eccentric (e.g., the narrator pronounces Zeus as "zay oos"), but it's worth adding to your collection.”
Enduring Influence: Rome, Greece and Byzantium
Discovery Channel
DVD
2005
55 minutes
$69.95
Available from:
Library Video – “The Discovery Channel explores how, even today, the ancient world's three key civilizations continue to shape governments and cultures. Program includes one feature and three shorter segments: Pompeii: Preserved in Time; Greece: One Out of Many; The Rise of Rome's Empire and Byzantium and Its Roman Ideals.”
School Library Journal – “Gr 6-12-Although its title implies that this production is primarily about three of the ancient world's most influential civilizations, the longest segment of the four is actually about the destruction of Pompeii. "Pompeii: Preserved in Time" (31:30 min.) uses simulations, reenactments, artifacts, and contemporary location footage to recreate the AD 79 eruption of Vesuvius and examine why so many of its inhabitants were unable to escape. It shows students the mysterious, ghostly archaeological casts of the city's dead, and explains that modern science has determined that a burning-hot pyroclastic surge of toxic gas suffocated those unfortunate enough to be in its path. The remaining three segments, with running times of about five minutes each, introduce the Greek, Roman, and Byzantium empires and highlight their lasting contributions to Western civilization. The narrations, done by both a man and a woman, is supplemented with comments from archaeologists and scientists. The segments are separated by study questions, "Did You Know?" facts, and footage of students who discuss the ancient world. Visuals include a variety of period art and sculpture and contemporary footage. "Pompeii" is the best segment, and its mix of special effects, archaeological casts and artifacts, and mystery-solving narrative will hold student interest. The remaining three sections are so brief that they could be used only for the most general introduction or review. On balance, this is a good supplementary choice for schools needing material on Pompeii or the ancient world.”
The Spartans
PBS Paramount
DVD
2003
180 minutes
$24.95
Available from:
Library Video – “PBS chronicles the rise and fall of this ancient civilization, examining Sparta's unique social system, gender politics and military achievements. Featuring on-location footage and interviews with historians, the program presents a detailed look at the city's legendary war with Athens.”
Video Librarian " ...fascinating...Highly recommended."- (March 23, 2004 Web Review)
Amazon Customer Review:
R.L. Holly- Austin, TX
“An engaging documentary artfully assembled, this 2003 British production has been a hit for PBS in the United States, with the videos and tie-in book (the US edition of Paul Cartledge's The Spartans) often on backorder status. It is a rarity in that it gives Sparta its due for helping Greece resist the Persian threat and credits Sparta for its more enlightened attitude toward women. Although at times it may project a faint pro-Athens bias, host Bettany Hughes is a sympathetic and knowledgeable narrator. THE SPARTANS boasts terrific location photography by Douglas Hartington, with some impressive aerial shots of the Taygetus gorges. For the first time in a television documentary, we are treated to detailed examination of many artifacts in the Sparta Museum as well as shown many photos of archaeological excavations at Sparta. The atmospheric soundtrack is composed by Anthony Burke. Evocative reenactor footage is used - not as much as in the A&E production "Rise & fall of the Spartans," maybe, but effectively presented, even if the footage tends to be come repetitive by Part 3.
Part 1
THE SPARTANS opens at Thermopylae and with the epitaph of the Three Hundred -- and very stirring it is to hear this spoken in the original Greek -- before introducing some of the topics that will be addressed in the program. (Hmm. The claim that "male homosexuality was compulsory" is extremely dubious; the first boldfaced assertion as fact of a subject hotly debated among ancient and modern experts.) After the introduction, we journey to the Dark Ages of Greece, the end of the Achaean Age and the coming of the Dorian Greeks to the Peloponnesus and Laconia. An effective look at the development of hoplite warfare is presented. Next comes the Messenian conquest, then the establishment of the Spartan constitution. The upbringing of Spartan youths, warts and all, is then addressed at length. A good point is made that the sublimation of the individual as practiced by the Spartans can be very liberating - "the possibility of transcending your limitations as an individual and becoming part of something bigger and better." Spartan institutions are credited for initiating a system of political rights and responsibilities among its citizens centuries before other Greek states conceived of such things.
The finding of the so-called statue of Leonidas in 1925 is used to introduce the Persian Wars, which are then examined in detail. There is much footage of Thermopylae, including the eponymous hot springs, and the commentary casts the Spartans' self-sacrifice in terms that hearken to the Japanese samurai's bushido code.
Part 2
This segment begins by exploring at how Sparta and Athens fell out after the Persian Wars, with a look at Athenian politics and society and how these contrasted to Sparta's. This is a refreshingly non-partisan treatment, not hesitating to be equally critical of Athens. Women's life in Sparta is given much attention. Sparta comes off as considerably more enlightened, by modern Western standards, than Athens. (Interesting sidebar - in her remarks during a November 24, 2003, online chat with Channel 4 (UK) viewers, narrator Bettany Hughes, when asked where she'd have rather lived, Sparta or Athens, replied "Sparta. No doubt.") Hughes wryly notes how Spartan women were "objects of fear and fascination" to non-Spartan men. The legacy of these "radical" Spartan customs on later societies is discussed. Amusingly, whether by design or not, Hughes wears a scarlet dress for much of this sequence - fit garb for a Spartanette - and conducts her narration while striding purposefully about the Laconian countryside or riding on horseback in full exhibition of energetic Spartan vitality.
Lastly, the Laconian earthquake of 465 or 464 BC and subsequent helot revolt is noted and seen as the event that lit the sparks of conflict between Greece's two leading cities. The opening clashes of the Peloponnesian War and the Spartan disaster at Sphacteria ends Part 2.
Part 3
The last section of the film opens at Delphi and takes a look at Greek religion and Spartan attitudes toward the gods and oracles before resuming the history of the Peloponnesian War. Alcibiades, the Syracuse expedition, and Lysander are all examined, taking up half of Part 3. Then the period of the Spartan Hegemony is briefly described, shaped by the "crippled kingship" of Agesilaus and marked by power struggles among Sparta's ruling factions. Hughes notes the critical decline of Spartan citizen manpower and the rise of Thebes as a rival. She takes us to the battlefield of Leuctra, where Spartan military superiority was broken in 371 BC. The remaining sequences very quickly sketch how classical Sparta became a second-class power and finally a tourist attraction for wealthy Romans. The show concludes with a summation of Sparta's influence on Western philosophy.
THE SPARTANS is a standout documentary, wonderfully photographed and directed, and is highly recommended as a visual overview of Spartan history.
Those interested in further information about this production can read an online interview about "The Spartans" with classicist Bettany Hughes and historical consultant Paul Cartledge answering questions from viewers (November 2003)”
Lost Civilizations: Temples, Tombs, and Treasures
Time Warner Audiobooks
Abridged Audio cassette
1999
$6.93
Available from:
Note: Two disadvantages: This media is abridged and it's in cassette form.
Barnes and Noble – “From democracy to architecture, the unique achievements of Ancient Greece have influenced virtually every civilization on Earth. This audiobook explores Grecian economy, trade, politics, and culture, and recreates life during Greece's Golden Age. Other entries in the "Lost Civilization" series include "The Magnificent Maya, Pompeii" and "Egypt". Recommended by "Library Journal".
Audio file – “This informative selection is from Time/Life's Lost Civilization series, which includes Egypt, Pompeii and the Mayas. Selections of well-known poetry and literature from the Golden Age are performed, accompanied by appropriate music. Two narrators alternate educating the audience about the history and politics of this fascinating time. The first is a deep-voiced male with a British accent; the other an American female with a northeastern accent. She sharply emphasizes her "s's," almost whistling. Although a group of names is listed as being featured, only the above-mentioned two can be clearly distinguished.”A.G.H. (c) AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Amazon Customer Review:
Krellboy: Marin, CA
“I love Dale Brown's "Lost Civilizations" series, which I discovered after reading this book. This work really makes you wonder what life was really like in these ancient civilizations, and what other great discoveries might await us. Highly recommended.”
Thermopylae: The Battle That Changed the World
Blackstone Audiobooks
Author: Paul Cartledge
Read by: John Lee
Audio CD
2007
7 hours
$18.96
Available from:
Barnes and Noble (Read a sample chapter)
Barnes and Noble – “In 480 B.C., a huge Persian army, led by the inimitable King Xerxes, entered the mountain pass of Thermopylae to march on Greece, intending to conquer the land with little difficulty. But the Greeks, led by King Leonidas and a small army of Spartans, took the battle to the Persians at Thermopylae and halted their advance—almost. It is one of history’s most acclaimed battles, one of civilization’s greatest last stands. Renowned classical historian Paul Cartledge looks anew at this history-altering moment and shows how its repercussions affect us even today. The invasion of Europe by Xerxes and his army redefined culture, kingdom, and class. The valiant efforts of the Greek warriors, facing a huge onrushing Persian army at the narrow pass at Thermopylae, changed the way future generations would think about combat, courage, and death.”
Booklist - "Cartledge's account has a special urgency and poignancy. An outstanding retelling of one of the seminal events in world history."
Kirkus Reviews – “A masterful account of the causes, preparations for and consequences of the three-day battle in 480 b.c. that claimed the lives of all 300 Spartan defenders of the eponymous pass and those of perhaps as many as 20,000 Persian invaders. Cartledge (Greek History/Univ. of Cambridge) has published previously on the subject (The Spartans, 2003) and in his latest work emerges as an eloquent apologist of the Spartan way. He notes that among the ancient Greeks-and especially among the Lacedaemonians (aka Spartans)-warfare was not an aberration but an integral part of the culture. Sparta, unlike many Greek cities, had its own standing army, and boys were trained from the cradle to be warriors. (The author also notes that women experienced a parallel form of education that also included physical fitness.) He sees three important Spartan contributions to Western culture: an obsession with competition, a devotion to freedom and a capacity for criticism of the self and others. He acknowledges that the Spartans had no real high culture (art, drama) but that at Thermopylae, their stand inspired allies to rise up and defeat Xerxes's huge invading army. Accompanied by a chronology and many maps (not seen), Cartledge's account delays the story of the battle itself until midway-a clear, compelling chapter that describes everything from footwear (the Spartans wore none) to shield-design to flanking strategies. The battle, he argues, was a critical turning point in history. The final chapters deal with the enduring influence of Thermopylae-in poetry (Byron), fiction (Dickens alludes to it), art and cinema (a forthcoming film adapted from 300, Frank Miller's graphic novel). Cartledge spends some timecelebrating Herodotus (whose account of the battle is the most thorough, though not always reliable) and even offers a few thrusts of the sharp auctorial spear at George W. Bush. A class in Western Civilization that both instructs and entertains.”
Last Stand of the 300
A&E Home Video
DVD
2007
91 minutes
$19.95
Available from:
Library Video – “The History Channel presents a detailed account of the legendary Battle of Thermopylae by using dramatic reenactments, digital animation and interviews with top historians. Viewer will learn about the brilliant military maneuvers that allowed the outnumbered Greek forces to hold off the colossal Persian army for seven days until not one Greek soldier was left standing. The program examines the events leading up to the conflict and reveals how the battle altered the course of Western civilization.”
Video Librarian – “The success of the feature film 300 will certainly boost interest in this History Channel documentary detailing the historic battle between the Greeks and Persians at the narrow pass of Thermopylae in 480 B.C., where a small Spartan detachment led by King Leonidas struggled to halt or at least delay King Xerxes’ huge invading force. Last Stand of the 300 serves up solid popular history that combines dramatic reenactments, computer graphics, maps, scholarly commentary, and narration to not only recreate the battle itself, but also explore the contextual background—notably, the first Persian assault against the Greeks 10 years earlier, and the fragmentation among the Hellenic city-states that had to be overcome in order to mount a concerted defense. Although the documentary oddly omits some of the colorful details from Herodotus’ famed account (especially regarding Xerxes’ hubris at the Hellespont), it is far more accurate than 300 in its description of Spartan society, while also redressing the movie’s total dismissal of the Athenian contribution to the campaign: here, Themistocles is given proper recognition, as are the sea battles of Artemisium and Salamis—the latter being the truly decisive encounter of the war. An excellent overview of the second Persian invasion of Greece (including the battle of Thermopylae), this will also serve as a good antidote to the inaccuracies, omissions, and exaggerations of the Hollywood version. Highly recommended.”
All Movie Guide – “The engrossing History Channel documentary Last Stand of the 300: The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae offers an unofficial counterpoint to the Hollywood blockbuster 300, starring Gerard Butler and Lena Headey. This documentary, like the feature, explores the legendary events that transpired in the year 480 B.C., when a legion of Greek city-states took on the forces of the Persian Empire at the pass of Thermopylae, defending itself successfully despite an overwhelming disadvantage in terms of battalion size. This nonfiction work recounts the tactical strategies that accounted for the Greeks' lengthy holdout, and utilizes both digital animation and dramatic reenactments to relay the thrilling story.” ~ Nathan Southern
The True Story of Alexander the Great
A&E Home Video
DVD
2005
150 minutes
$19.95
Available from:
2005 CINE Golden Eagle Award
Publisher – “Tutored by Aristotle, helpless witness to his father's assassination, and a brilliant, pioneering tactician, Alexander the Great had conquered the known world--and sealed his legacy as one of history's most remarkable rulers--by the age of 25. In the year 334 B.C., 20-year-old King Alexander of Macedonia decided to bring the farthest reaches of the world under one domain. Over the next 12 years, he led a grand army across more than 20,000 miles and eventually brought all of Asia under his control, only to perish from battle wounds at the age of 32. Incorporating dramatic onsite reenactments with high-end computer graphics and the expertise of renowned scholars, THE TRUE STORY OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT is special presentation from THE HISTORY CHANNEL®, examining the life and career of this military genius, impassioned lover, and fearless leader. Hosted by Peter Woodward (Conquest), this definitive program is available on DVD for the first time. DVD Features: The Making of The True Story of Alexander The Great Featurette; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection.”
Library Video – “The History Channel examines the life and military career of King Alexander of Macedonia. Hosted by Peter Woodward, the program traces Alexander's conquests from age 20 to his death from battle wounds at the age of 32, highlighting how he was able to bring all of Asia under his control. The program combines dramatic on-site reenactments with high-end computer graphics and expert commentary.
Video Librarian - Rumored to be part god and part man, educated by Aristotle, and a king by the age of 20, Alexander the Great wanted to rule the world, uniting East and West into one huge empire. By the time of his death from fever brought on by battle wounds 12 years later in 323 B.C., the Macedonian ruler had reached India’s Punjab river, conquered the Persian Empire, and was hailed in Egypt as a deliverer from Persian rule. Hosted by Peter Woodward, and featuring interviews with historians and scholars, as well as dramatic recreations and contemporary on-location footage, The True Story of Alexander the Great, aired on the History Channel in conjunction with the release of Oliver Stone's theatrical flop Alexander, aims to help viewers understand Alexander and his times, as well as separate history from Hollywood. Also known as a master tactician, military strategist, and fierce leader, Alexander’s signature battle plans are examined in detail here using computer graphics. Far from being mere military victories, Alexander’s conquests would lead to the spread of Greek culture and language, with far-reaching historical and cultural impact. DVD extras include a "making-of" featurette. Recommended.”
Real Olympics
PBS Paramount
DVD
2004
110 minutes
$24.95
Available from:
Library Video – “PBS presents this documentary chronicling the history of the ancient and modern Olympic Games. Narrated by Brian Greene, the program examines the games' origins and ideals, and presents stories of athletes and various games. Featuring reconstructions of the ancient Greek Games and dramatic highlights from modern games, the program explores similarities and differences between the two sporting events. (Note: Contains graphic violence, nudity, and references to sexual activity.)”
Video Librarian – “Aired on PBS to coincide with the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, The Real Olympics offers a historically sound, informative account of the ancient Greek Olympic games, emphasizing their political and religious significance (as well as how much they benefited the individual winners, personally and economically), pointing out their brutal, winner-take-all character, and detailing evidence of chicanery among the participants--all while still conveying the glory of the enterprise. The program also covers the modern Olympic movement--from the revival of the late 19th century to the present--clearly showing how the games have evolved from a supposed gentlemen’s competition of amateurs (a thoroughly non-Greek conception, as it happens) to one often dominated by nationalism, spectacle, and thinly-disguised professionalism (the revelation of how much this transformation owed to the Nazi sponsorship of the 1936 Berlin games is especially telling). Finally, the documentary also serves as a celebration of the modern Olympic spirit, culminating in a brief account of the Greek government preparing to host the 2004 event. Combining dramatic recreations, news and television footage, scholarly interviews, narration, and photographs to excellent effect, this is recommended.”
Literature
Ancient Aegean
Schlessinger Media
DVD
23 minutes
$29.95
Available from:
Library Video – “Are Homer's incredible stories in The Iliad and The Odyssey true? Did the lost continent of Atlantis exist? This program explores the "prehistory" of Europe's first civilizations, which developed around the Aegean Sea on the islands and mainland that now make up Greece. The artifacts of the ancient culture of the Mycenaeans reveal a civilization of warriors and craftsmen. By contrast, the ancient Minoans, named for King Minos, were artists, engineers, merchants and traders. By following the work of archeologists, students will learn of the people and places of the Aegean that laid the groundwork for ancient stories -- and ancient history. Hosted by the intriguing archeologist, Arizona Smith, and his young detective-in-training, the program includes a teacher's guide featuring additional information on the topic, vocabulary words, discussion questions, follow-up activities and lists of recommended books and Internet resources. Part of the multivolume.”
Video Librarian - " ...history is important and the Ancient Civilizations for Children series offers a fast-paced, exciting and informative look at the accomplishments of early peoples...Once again, Schlessinger Media has proven that it's possible to create excellent, affordable programming for classrooms or public library collections....Highly recommended. Editor's Choice" (Jan/Feb 1999)
School Library Journal – “Gr 5-10-These remarkable videos should be purchased by all schools, middle through high school, where ancient history or world cultures is part of the curriculum. Each video is narrated by Arizona Smith from his delightfully cluttered office/laboratory which is filled with all the treasures a working archeologist might collect throughout a lifetime of digging for artifacts. Students are treated to examples of art and pottery from the civilization; see videos of the sites today; and learn how the ancient peoples lived and died through reenactments that mimic old films. In "It's a Kid's Life," a pair of young teens talk about how their lives would be if they lived during that time. A "Did You Know" segment provides odd and interesting facts on the culture. The series excels in relating the ancient cultures to the present through their contributions to modern society and in bringing the ancient ruins to life. Many of the videos include examples of rural life today that point out some similarities with the ancient cultures such as foods consumed, or agricultural methods that have changed little over the centuries. The series assumes viewers have no prior knowledge about the subject, yet even adults with some grounding in ancient history will be entertained and learn something new. The series would be most useful in middle and high school introductory world history and civilization classes; while it would be appropriate for children in the third and fourth grade, most elementary schools don't include ancient history as part of the curriculum. Public libraries will want to add this wonderful series to their collections, especially if they serve home schooled children or parents who utilize library resources to enrich their children's regular schooling.”
The Iliad
Naxos Audiobooks
Narrator: Anton Lessor
3 CD’s
1995
3hr. 56 minutes
Available from:
Barnes and Noble (Read a sample chapter)
Publisher – “Before Greece had tragedy, comedy, history, or even formal schools, there was Homer. Greeks, young and old, learned about the realities of life by hearing separate episodes from Homer sung at public festivals, and then remembering the stories through the power of song. What they remembered was what mattered most.
Barnes and Noble – “These epics offered bluntly honest views of life. Think of that as you are listening to Stanley Lombardo. When he performs Homer, we feel what Bob Dylan calls the 'inner substance' of great folk songs, their 'pulse and vibration and rumbling force'. We grasp the power words had before books, movies and iPods™. Homer taught the ancient Greeks about life, death, love and war. Now in Lombardo's words and voice, Homer teaches us, too.
"This gave me the opportunity to participate in a project featuring two great and important works, Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and to further support the revival of Greek History and the Classics."
Science Daily – “If you are interested in a modern recording of an ancient classic, then I would recommend this without reservation. After listening to Lombardo, he has won me over and I'm a big fan.”
Audio File - Anton Lesser gives a successful and engaging presentation of one the world's oldest stories. Johnston's modern translation maintains several traditions of the ancient rhetorical style, and Lesser honors the patterns of repeated names and titles without hurrying or rushing through the many honorifics. Lesser smoothly moves from narrating the action to voicing the different characters. He doesn't overplay the difference between men and women, gods and goddesses, but makes minor adjustments in his tone or pace to suggest the nature of the character. Lesser's British accent is pleasing, and his pronunciation of Greek place names and characters is accurate. R.F. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Songs on Bronze: The Greek Myths Made Real
Blackstone Audiobooks
Narrator: Yuri Rasovsky
MP3/CD
2006
$29.95
Available from:
Barnes and Noble (Read a sample chapter)
Barnes and Noble –“Songs on Bronze is the first major retelling of Greek mythology in half a century; a set of lively, racy, dramatic versions of the great myths, which, in a multicultural society, are recognized more than ever as stories without equal.
Most of us would like to know the Greek myths better than we do, and books like Seamus Heaney's Beowulf have demonstrated the power of ancient texts to enchant and enthrall us. And yet the modern translations of the Greek myths have sought to instruct, to edify, or to impart a personal philosophy. Songs on Bronze is different. With this book, Nigel Spivey--a young Cambridge classicist and rising star as a documentary host--gives us the Greek myths as the spellbinding stories they are. In bold, sensuous prose, he tells of Demeter and Persephone, of Jason and the Argonauts, of the wrath of Achilles and the travels of Odysseus, of Oedipus's crime and Orpheus's excursion into the underworld. In his hands, these stories are revealed anew as outsize tales of love and strife, of secret compacts and open rivalries, of lust and desire.Songs on Bronze is a fresh revision of the classics that is likely to become a classic in its own right.”
From Publishers Weekly – “Psychological realism infuses Greek myths as reimagined by Cambridge classicist Spivey. Thus Herakles sounds as if he were confessing to a therapist when he explains his bravery: "It's an act, isn't it? The power of make-believe. The odd thing is... promise you won't laugh... I used to get fired up by believing that my opponent was some maniac—yes, a maniac—coming after my wife and children." Spivey's heroes, as a result, are emotionally accessible but divested of their frightening grandeur. Their adventures still make for rollicking good tales, of course, and Spivey is at his best when clipping his diction and telling it straight; neatly closing one story with Odysseus overcoming his reluctance to go to war, Spivey writes: "Odysseus shrugged. His forebodings told him otherwise. His armor was rusting on hooks in an outhouse. Yet he went to fetch it." Spivey's language is sometimes pleasingly epigrammatic: Eros is "zero's opposite." But too often he dresses up classical myths in togas of pop psychology. After Pandora's box is opened, for instance, we are told Prometheus and his brother "knew their world would never be the same." The Greek myths are formidable, but apparently they do have an Achilles heel: clichéd English makes them go limp.” (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. –
Publishers Weekly - "Rollicking good tales."
The Odyssey
Parmenides Audio
Introduction: Susan Sarandon
Narrator: Stanley Lombardo
Audiobook
2006
$25.20
Available from:
Audio File – “The story of THE ODYSSEY is laden with archetypal images and themes, but often the tangled motives and layered desires of the gods and mortals alike get lost in translation. Stanley Lombardo provides a welcome translation, contemporary in its rhythms, assurance, and clarity. Lombardo's knowledgeable pacing and warm voice reflect his strong sensibilities for both academics and live performance. This version of the Greek classic sounds honest, intimate, and, most importantly, clear. Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon lends her calm and well-known voice to reading the synopses of the epic's 24 chapters. With this ODYSSEY, the 3,000-year-old Homer may find himself with a whole new generation of fans.” Timeless. B.P. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Washington Post - Susan Sarandon reads an introduction by Tom Palaima as well as synopses of each book, all of which are included in a useful little booklet. Lombardo, a veteran of many performances of his translation, delivers the poem himself in a well-modulated, walnutty voice that occasionally roars out dramatically to handle the more exuberant, even bumptious, passages. Katherine A. Powers
The Common Review - "The definitive English version of Homer for our time."
Perseus and Medusa
Schlessinger Media
DVD
2004
23 minutes
$23.95
Available from:
Library Video (Downloadable Teacher's Guide available)
Recommended for Grades 4-8
Library Video – “The ancient Greeks believed that their lives were controlled by the fates. But how a person arrived at his or her destiny was another matter -- both free will and the influence of the gods played major roles in shaping a person's life. Case in point: Perseus, whose tale is that of a young man who struggles to fulfill his own fate with the help of the powerful goddess, Athena. Perseus & Medusa chronicles this hero's quest to pursue the head of a hideous Gorgon, whose terrifying stare could turn men to stone! Part of the multivolume Greek Mythology for Students DVD Series. A Teacher's Guide is included and available online.”
School Library Journal – “Gr 4-8-This brightly colored, digitally animated series teaches young viewers the basics of Greek mythology and hero tales. Each program is introduced by a live male host who provides background information on the topic. Then simple animation and classic storytelling combine to present the ancient tales. Gods of Olympus provides clear and interesting background stories of the gods from Gaia and Uranus to the Titans, and then covers more familiar Olympian gods and their choice of Mt. Olympus as their home. Constellation Myths includes the stories of Orion, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, Callisto, Andromeda, and related star groups. In <I< the>, students learn about the penalties paid by Arachne, Prometheus, Pandora, and Icarus when they put their own wisdom ahead of that of the Olympians. Both Jason and the Golden Fleece and The Journeys of Odysseus provide abbreviated introductions to these classic tales. Nature Myths includes the stories of Persephone, Echo and Narcissus, and Phaeton. The tales are well-written and briskly paced, and the computer animation is simple, but eye-catching. Themes and morals of the stories are briefly examined as well. The DVD version's special features include chapter select, discussion questions and activities (with the ability to review video segments or images to answer the questions), and a sound track choice of either Spanish or English. The programs are beautifully done, bringing the subject matter to life in a clear and informative way. A valuable addition to studies of Ancient Greece as well as classroom myth.”
Library Media Collection "…will hold students’ interest…The narrator has a great voice…a good fit for upper elementary to junior high and great support material for Greek mythology units…Recommended."
Also available in this series:
Constellation Myths
Defying the Gods
Gods of Olympus, The
Jason & the Golden Fleece
Journeys of Odysseus, The
Labors of Heracles, The
Nature Myths
Theseus & the Minotaur
Trojan War, The
Popular Entertainment
300
Warner Home Video
DVD
2007
116 minutes
$28.95
Available from:
Library Video – “Gerard Butler and David Wenham star in this thriller based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller. The film brings an epic battle to life that occurs in 480 B.C., where 300 Spartans halted the advance of one million Persian army soldiers.”
Video Librarian – “The 480 B.C. battle at Thermopylae—in which, according to legend if not history, 300 Spartan warriors repulsed the advances of an invading Persian horde—is lavishly visualized in this bloody, lifelike computer-animated spectacle. Gerard Butler is the voice of warrior King Leonidas, who tries to buy time for his embattled people by holding off the army of Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) while Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) pleads with Sparta’s ruling body for additional military support. Zack Snyder’s highly stylized adaptation of Frank Miller’s innovative graphic novel is practically a literal translation, with each lovingly crafted frame resembling a comic-book panel sprung to life. Snyder feigned innocence when confronted by critics who claimed 300 is a thinly veiled propaganda piece that tacitly endorses the U.S.’s present-day conflicts with Muslim extremists, but it’s hard to believe that he didn’t anticipate such a reaction. Regardless, 300 is grand entertainment. Highly recommended.”
All Movie Guide – “Sin City author Frank Miller's sweeping take on the historic Battle of Thermopylae comes to the screen courtesy of Dawn of the Dead director Zack Snyder. Gerard Butler stars as Spartan King Leonidas and Lena Headey plays Queen Gorgo. The massive army of the Persian Empire is sweeping across the globe, crushing every force that dares stand in its path. When a Persian envoy arrives in Sparta offering King Leonidas power over all of Greece if he will only bow to the will of the all powerful Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), the strong-willed leader assembles a small army comprised of his empire's best fighters and marches off to battle. Though they have virtually no hope of defeating Xerxes' intimidating battalion, Leonidas' men soldier on, intent on letting it be known they will bow to no man but their king. Meanwhile, back in Sparta, the loyal Queen Gorgo attempts to convince both the skeptical council and the devious Theron (Dominic West) to send more troops despite the fact that many view Leonidas' unsanctioned war march as a serious transgression. As Xerxes' fearsome "immortals" draw near, a few noble Greeks vow to assist the Spartans on the battlefield. When King Leonidas and his 300 Spartan warriors fell to the overwhelming Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae, the fearless actions of the noble fighters inspired all of Greece to stand up against their Persian enemy and wage the battle that would ultimately give birth to the modern concept of democracy.” Jason Buchanan
Middlesex
Author: Jeffrey Eugenides
Narrator: Kristoffer Tabori
Macmillan Audio
Unabridged Audio CD/MP3-
2004
$32.97
Available from:
Barnes and Noble (Read a sample chapter, Reading Group Discussion Guide)
Winner of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
Nominated for the 2002 National Book Critics Circle Award, Fiction.
2002 Lambda Literary Award Finalist, Transgender.
Amazon.com - "I was born twice: first, as a baby girl, on a remarkably smogless Detroit day in January of 1960; and then again, as a teenage boy, in an emergency room near Petoskey, Michigan, in August of 1974." And so begins Middlesex, the mesmerizing saga of a near-mythic Greek American family and the "roller-coaster ride of a single gene through time." The odd but utterly believable story of Cal Stephanides, and how this 41-year-old hermaphrodite was raised as Calliope, is at the tender heart of this long-awaited second novel from Jeffrey Eugenides, whose elegant and haunting 1993 debut, The Virgin Suicides, remains one of the finest first novels of recent memory.
Eugenides weaves together a kaleidoscopic narrative spanning 80 years of a stained family history, from a fateful incestuous union in a small town in early 1920s Asia Minor to Prohibition-era Detroit; from the early days of Ford Motors to the heated 1967 race riots; from the tony suburbs of Grosse Pointe and a confusing, aching adolescent love story to modern-day Berlin. Eugenides's command of the narrative is astonishing. He balances Cal/Callie's shifting voices convincingly, spinning this strange and often unsettling story with intelligence, insight, and generous amounts of humor:
Emotions, in my experience aren't covered by single words. I don't believe in "sadness," "joy," or "regret." … I'd like to have at my disposal complicated hybrid emotions, Germanic traincar constructions like, say, "the happiness that attends disaster." Or: "the disappointment of sleeping with one's fantasy." ... I'd like to have a word for "the sadness inspired by failing restaurants" as well as for "the excitement of getting a room with a minibar." I've never had the right words to describe my life, and now that I've entered my story, I need them more than ever.
When you get to the end of this splendorous book, when you suddenly realize that after hundreds of pages you have only a few more left to turn over, you'll experience a quick pang of regret knowing that your time with Cal is coming to a close, and you may even resist finishing it--putting it aside for an hour or two, or maybe overnight--just so that this wondrous, magical novel might never end. --Brad Thomas Parsons --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From AudioFile – “Middlesex, by the much praised Jeffrey Eugenides, presents a huge problem for any reader. Its narrator, a Greek-American born with ambiguous genitalia, spent her/his childhood as an (allegedly) gorgeous little girl, but on discovering at adolescence that he was genetically a boy, transformed Callie into Cal. Kristoffer Tabori does many things well, but at no point does his manly voice sound as if it were ever a pretty little girl's. Further, his Greeks don't sound Greek, and his Cal talks with the same whiny accent as his Greek-born Granny, although Cal was born in Detroit and educated at a fancy Grosse Pointe private school. Both this novel and this production fail to convince or even entertain very much. Seriously disappointing”. B.G. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.
From Publishers Weekly – “Without a doubt, this audio edition of Eugenides's long-awaited second novel (after The Virgin Suicides) represents an acme of the audiobook genre: the whole equals much more than the sum of its parts. This is simultaneously the tale of a gene passed down through three generations and the story of Calliope Stephanides, the recipient of that gene. Never quite feeling at home in her body, Callie discovered at the age of 14 that she is, in fact, genetically, if not completely anatomically, a boy. From this point on she becomes Cal, and it is Cal, the 41-year-old man, who narrates the story, dipping all the way back in history to the time of his grandparents' incestuous relationship in war-torn Turkey. Tabori's performance of the text is phenomenal. His somewhat high-register, wavering voice, reminiscent of a young Burgess Meredith, is completely convincing as both the young female Callie and the older male Cal. Not only are his interpretations of the characters astonishingly credible, but his internalization of the narrative is nothing short of amazing. Listeners will feel this exhilarating story is being told personally to them for the very first time. Additionally, the intro music at the beginning of each of the 28 sides is different, with each snippet offering a different style of music, reflecting the current timeline and mood of the story. This adds a subtle but wonderful effect.”
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.
Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseys
Margaret Atwood
Canongate U.S.
Novel
2006
$9.60
Available from:
Amazon (Look inside)
Barnes and Noble (Read a sample chapter)
Marc record: Starke County Public Library
Note: I personally read this rather satirical count of the Odyssey as told through the eye of his long-suffering wife. Great for teaching point of view.
Publisher – “In Homer's account in The Odyssey, Penelope - wife of Odysseus and cousin of the beautiful Helen of Troy - is portrayed as the quintessential faithful wife, her story a salutary lesson through the ages. Left alone for twenty years when Odysseus goes off to fight in the Trojan war after the abduction of Helen, Penelope manages, in the face of scandalous rumours, to maintain the kingdom of Ithaca, bring up her wayward son, and keep over a hundred suitors at bay, simultaneously. When Odysseus finally comes home after enduring hardships, overcoming monsters and sleeping with goddesses, he kills her suitors and - curiously - twelve of her maids.
In a splendid contemporary twist to the ancient story, Margaret Atwood has chosen to give the telling of it to Penelope and to her twelve hanged Maids, asking: "What led to the hanging of the maids, and what was Penelope really up to?" In Atwood's dazzling, playful retelling, the story becomes as wise and compassionate as it is haunting, and as wildly entertaining as it is disturbing. With wit and verve, drawing on the storytelling and poetic talent for which she herself is renowned, she gives Penelope new life and reality - and sets out to provide an answer to an ancient mystery.”
The New York Times – “Here, amid the moon cults and palace of women and the returned king, "spattered over with gore and battle filth," as Homer tells us, is fabulous Atwood territory. Unfortunately, she does not grasp this thorny nettle, but chooses instead to blow feather-light dandelions…Each Odyssean landmark is inverted with a broad wink.”
Library Journal – “Conceived by Canongate publisher Jamie Byng and launched this year by 30 publishers worldwide, this series will offer the retelling of favorite myths by leading authors from A.S. Byatt to Donna Tartt. Armstrong weighs in with a concise (and, one suspects, insightful) history. Byng expects the final volume to appear in 2038.” Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Troy
Adele Geras
Harcourt Paperbacks
Novel
2002
$6.95
Available at:
Amazon (Search inside)
Amazon.com's Best of 2001
Amazon – “Homer's mighty epic poem, The Iliad, is the earliest written literature of Western civilization. Adele Geras, best known for her trilogy based on Sleeping Beauty, takes on the seemingly impertinent task of retelling the siege of Troy as a young adult novel, but manages to carry it off without trivializing the original. The great battles of the bronze-clad warriors and the clashes between Achilles and Hector and Odysseus are seen at a distance from the walls of the city, where the Trojan townsfolk gather to sit each day and cheer the action like spectators at some archaic football game.
The passion of Helen and Paris, Hector's farewell to his ill-fated infant son, and other familiar domestic scenes are seen from a closer perspective, through the eyes of the four teenage protagonists. Marpessa is Helen's young servant, and her sister Xanthe is nursemaid to Hector's baby son, while Iason, who is secretly beloved by their friend Polyxena, tends the horses and yearns for Xanthe, who has a crush on Alastor, who has impregnated Marpessa. These complicated, interlocking infatuations and love affairs work themselves out against a background of siege and bloodshed watched over by the gods. Artemis, Mars, Poseidon, and Pallas Athene appear in visions to reveal their plans to the characters (and to us), but their words blow away like mist as soon as they are gone. Meanwhile, the bawdy gossip of three old serving maids in the kitchen emulates a Greek chorus. The story winds to its inevitable destination with the emergence of the Greeks from the wooden horse and the bloody sack of the city--a suitably violent end to an ancient and violent tale. (Ages 12 and older) --Patty Campbell -
Booklist – “Gr. 10-12. Geras frames her latest ambitious novel around the Iliad, beginning a decade into the Trojan War. Instead of detailing the battles between gods or men, she imagines the stories of Troy's women, adding new characters to the archetypes in Homer's epic. Orphan sisters Xanthe and Marpessa live in Priam's palace as maids and surrogate daughters to Andromache and Helen, respectively. As the war escalates, pivotal moments from the Iliad's plot serve as backdrop for Xanthe and Marpessa's coming-of-age: while the familiar men (Paris, Achilles, etc.) slay one another, the sisters fall in love with the same man and care for their grieving households. Readers, particularly those unfamiliar with the Iliad, may struggle initially with the novel's multiple plot threads. But Geras cleverly fills in gaps with the words of visiting Gods and Gossips, as she tells a sexy, sweeping tale, filled with drama, sassy humor, and vividly imagined domestic details that will be accessible to most older teens (and adults), particularly fans of historical romances. Readers may want to follow this with Clemence McLaren's Inside the Walls of Troy (1996) or Waiting for Odysseus [BKL Mr 1 00], both written in women's voices. Gillian Engberg.”
Copyright © American Library Association.
More reviews available at: Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com
Troy
Warner Home Video
DVD
2004
$14.99
Available from:
Amazon - ”No doubt about it, the 196-minute unrated director's cut of Troy represents a significant improvement over the film's original 162-minute theatrical release--and not just because it has more sex and violence. As director Wolfgang Petersen notes in his new "Troy Revisited" video introduction to this 2-disc special edition, he didn't have the time or directorial discretion (prior to Troy's release in 2004) to present a cut that more closely matched his vision for the film. Three years later, Petersen approached the film with a more relaxed perspective, and the result is a well-crafted expansion on a film that was previously underrated, with 30 minutes of previously unseen material. Character dynamics have been improved and intensified; the epic-scale narrative is now easier to follow, with greater emphasis on the inner turmoil of Achilles (well played by Brad Pitt) and his rivalry with Hector (Eric Bana); and viewers will feel a more satisfying escalation of tension and suspense from battle to battle. The film's enormous battle scenes (impressively enhanced with CGI) are bloodier and gorier, but they're also more effectively integrated into the political story, which goes beyond Homer's The Iliad and the death of Hector to incorporate elements of Virgil and a more revealing study of the differences between Trojan king Priam (Peter O'Toole) and his megalomanical Greek rival, king Agamemnon (Brian Cox), whose lust for revenge is now one of the film's most powerful ingredients. Some of Troy's original weaknesses remain (such as Orlando Bloom's wimpy performance as Paris), but overall, this director's cut easily justifies its existence, regardless of the film's overblown and historically inaccurate depiction of Troy as a gigantic city of massive columns and statuary. The good parts are better, and the not-so-good parts are more easily forgiven. And no matter how you cut it, Troy is a lavish feast for the eyes. --Jeff Shannon
On the DVDs
Disc 1 contains the first two hours of Troy: The Director's Cut (specifically 1:57:18), with the remaining 78 minutes on disc 2. The film looks better than ever even on a standard-definition DVD. Disc 2 also contain just over 80 minutes of bonus features, with five major sections broken down into shorter sub-sections, all drawn from the same interviews with primary cast & crew and behind-the-scenes publicity footage. "Troy in Focus" (23 minutes total) provides an overview of epic-scale filmmaking. The film's elaborate battles and stunt sequences are explored in "In the Thick of the Battle" (17 min.), while "From Ruins to Reality" (14 min.) examines the historical facts about Troy and the film's show-biz approach (more for the eyes, less for history) to grand-scale production design with varying degrees of historical accuracy. "Troy: An Effects Odyssey" (10 min.) examines the film's elaborate use of CGI and other digital enhancements; and "Attacking Troy" (15 min.) is a production overview of the film's impressive nighttime siege on Troy, complete with a massive Trojan Horse that was later re-assembled for the film's international publicity campaign. Finally, "Greek Ship Towing" (1:20) is an amusing compilation of digitally generated practical jokes and "bloopers" designed, just for fun, by the film's digital effects animators. The original theatrical trailer for Troy is also included.” --Jeff Shannon
The New Yorker – “Adapting Homer's mighty Iliad into a two-and-a-half-hour spectacle, the writer David Benioff and the director Wolfgang Petersen compressed events, removed the mischievous gods, and turned the legends into a comprehensible political struggle. Agamemnon (Brian Cox), the chief of the Greek expedition, uses the loss of Helen to the Trojans as an excuse to conquer the eastern Aegean. The battles in front of the walls of Troy are cataclysmic and frightening, and the duels are fought out in the open, in clear space. You can tell, as at a championship boxing match, what's at stake in turning left rather than right, feinting rather than thrusting. Surrounded by an expert cast of international actors, Brad Pitt, as Achilles, tries and fails to speak in some classy mid-Atlantic accent, but he's fast as lightning in his movements. Eric Bana, as the Trojan Hector, is slower as a fighter, more dogged and earth-bound, but he makes a fine reluctant warrior. The ladies do not distinguish themselves, and James Horner's music-wordless wailing women, hollow pounding drums-comes off as an ominous cliché. With Peter O'Toole as Priam and Orlando Bloom as Paris. Cinematography by Roger Pratt. Shot in Malta and Mexico. -David Denby.”
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker
Note: All images used in the website are taken from : Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and/or libraryvideo.com.