"Civilisation" (1969) TV series 1969-

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

23 February 1969 (UK)

Genre:

Documentary | History | Music | War

Plot Keywords:

Crusade | Encyclopedia | Art | Humanism | Literature

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Kenneth Clark

...

Narrator (13 episodes, 1969)

Series Directed by
Michael Gill		(7 episodes, 1969)
Peter Montagnon		(5 episodes, 1969)
Ann Turner		(3 episodes, 1969)

Series Writing credits
Kenneth Clark		(2 episodes, 1969)

Series Produced by
Ann Turner	....	assistant producer (13 episodes, 1969)
Michael Gill	....	producer (2 episodes, 1969)
Peter Montagnon	....	producer (2 episodes, 1969)

Series Original Music by
Edwin Astley		(1 episode, 1969)

Series Cinematography by
A.A. Englander		(unknown episodes)
Kenneth MacMillan		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Alan Tyrer		(2 episodes, 1969)
Roger Crittenden		(unknown episodes)
Peter Heelas		(unknown episodes)
Jesse Palmer		(unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Alan Dykes	....	sound (2 episodes, 1969)
Basil Harris	....	sound (2 episodes, 1969)
Malcolm Webberley	....	sound assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Roynon Raikes	....	stills photographer (2 episodes, 1969)
Phil Summers	....	stills filming (2 episodes, 1969)
Ann Turner	....	stills photography director (2 episodes, 1969)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
A.A. Englander	....	lighting cameraman (2 episodes, 1969)
Kenneth MacMillan	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1969)
Joe Cooksey	....	lighting technician (unknown episodes)
Colin Deehan	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Jack Probert	....	lighting technician (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Alan Tyrer	....	supervising editor (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Edwin Astley	....	conductor (1 episode, 1969)

Series Other crew
June Leech	....	research assistant (2 episodes, 1969)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1969) (UK) (TV) (BBC 2)
• Time Life Films (1970) (USA)

Runtime:

50 min (13 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Filming Locations:

Notre Dame, Paris 1, Paris, France

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Quotes:

Narrator:I have tried throughout this series to define civilisation in terms of creative power and the enlargement of human faculties.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Screenwipe: Screenwipe USA (#2.5)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Trumpet Sonata

Enlighteneing, engaging, and intimate program of scholarly work

First broadcast in 1969,Civilization was produced not only to showcase the new medium of color television but also to reassure a then turbulent society of its established roots.

Before viewing Civilization I had never heard of Kenneth Clark, or K Clark as he was known to his contemporaries. At first glance he appears to be the product of a stodgy old order, a stereotypical brown flannel suit poised very uneasily in the Age of Aquarius. However his soft demeanor, articulate observations and frank but reasonable opinions quickly become very endearing qualities. I soon found myself very disappointed I had never met the man, or at least lived through his era.

I can say with confidence that if you seriously enjoy history, particularly the European variety, you will enjoy Civilization. Even if you don't, the stunning and intimate portrayal of 1500 years of art may still be captivating enough to hold your attention. This program is unlike anything broadcast in the post-MTV era, and it sets a standard of culture and erudition that puts networks which should know better, like the History Channel, to shame.