The Ascent of Man 

An account of man's development through his scientific and technological achievements.

Stars:

Jacob Bronowski, Joss Ackland, Roy Dotrice

1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Jacob Bronowski	...	Himself - Presenter 13 episodes, 1973

Storyline

Jacob Bronowski, a friend of many famous 20th century nuclear physicists describes the history of Man from Ape to computer-maker. He touches upon the history of art, empires and science.

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Plot Keywords:

tv mini series | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 January 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

Powstawanie czlowieka

Filming Locations:

Alhambra, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Time-Life Television Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min (13 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

For the initial broadcast of the program, each segment had an epilogue by a very young Anthony Hopkins, who once was a student of Dr. Bronowski's.

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Connections

Featured in Screenwipe: Episode #1.1 (2006)

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Soundtracks

The Narrow Way
Written by Pink Floyd
Performed by Nick Mason
Courtesy of Capitol Records USA

User Reviews

Gets better and better as it goes along

A bit wordy and dry, even dull at times at times (especially early on), but also full of ever more interesting insight and theories by writer/host Jacob Bronowski. It reminded me of nothing as much as a really interesting illustrated college lecture series.

The series is in 13 parts, each covering a different key step in the development of civilization. A few of Brononski's theories seem a bit stretched, or even wrong headed, the visual style is dated and the effects less than impressive, but that doesn't mean the show isn't interesting, thought provoking and occasionally quite moving -- especially as the series goes on.

I don't feel I need to ever re-see the earliest 4 or 5 episodes again. They feel pretty pedantic and straightforward, and there wasn't much I didn't find familiar.

But the the last 4 or 5 episodes are incredibly clear explanations of the often complex and confusing world of 19th and 20th century science, mixed with quite touching observations about the role of science in a bigger society, its poetry, and the way it feeds humanity' soul.

A strange series - it starts out as fine but nothing special, and ends up somewhere quite powerful.