Sir Kenneth Clarke guides us through the ages exploring the glorious rise of civilisation in western man. Beginning with the bleakness of the dark ages to the present day, we consider ...
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Title: Civilisation (1969– )
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3 wins & 2 nominations.
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Sir Kenneth Clarke guides us through the ages exploring the glorious rise of civilisation in western man. Beginning with the bleakness of the dark ages to the present day, we consider civilisation's articulations and expressions in some of man's finest works of art. Written by Roman Gronkowski
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Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
23 February 1969 (UK) See more »Also Known As:
Civilisation: A Personal View by Kenneth Clark See more »Filming Locations:
Notre Dame, Paris 1, Paris, FranceCompany Credits
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Technical Specs
Runtime:
(13 episodes)Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1
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(uncredited)
Composed by Josquin Desprez (as Josquin de Prés)
Written by Jean Molinet
Episode: {"Man: The Measure of All Things" (1969) (ep. #1.4)}
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Did You Know?
Goofs
In the segment titled "The Light of Experience", narrator Lord Clark discusses the great developments in Europe of the XVIIth century - mathematics, measurement, observation - and notes that these "were not hostile to architecture; nor to music, for this was the age of one of the greatest English composers, William Purcell." Here he is misquoting himself, for in the book that accompanies this series (Civilisation. New York and Evanston: Harper & Row, 1969, p.218) he correctly names the composer as Henry Purcell. See more »Soundtracks
La Déploration De Johannes Ockeghem(uncredited)
Composed by Josquin Desprez (as Josquin de Prés)
Written by Jean Molinet
Episode: {"Man: The Measure of All Things" (1969) (ep. #1.4)}
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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.