Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1047 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-07-07
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: PAL, Colour
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 590 minutes

DVD Description
Around the World in 80 Gardens is a BBC series that follows broadcaster Monty Don as he travels all over the planet searching for world-class gardens – ancient and modern, large and small, grand and humble. In total, exactly eighty gardens are featured during his 10 journeys, and include the Alhambra, the gardens of the Taj Mahal in India, the gardens of the Villa D’Este in Italy and many important botanic and royal gardens from Thailand to Bali, from New Zealand to Europe and from China to Mexico.

Written and presented by Monty Don, the author of numerous gardening books and articles and the UK's leading gardening broadcaster, Around the World in 80 Gardens is much more than a gardening series, since Monty believes that "..gardens are a really good way to understand a culture". Each programme in this landmark documentary series combines history, natural history and travel and appeals to a wide audience. Each programme traces a personal journey for Monty as he exposes himself to new experiences and to cultures he has never previously encountered, leading him to question his ideas of what a garden actually is. With its intimate and engaging tone, we see how Monty’s own assumptions evolve as he learns from all he encounters…

Synopsis
In the BBC series AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 GARDENS, Monty Don takes you on a virtual tour of some of the world's finest gardens. From ancient to modern, large to small, and grand to humble, each offering boasts its own unique worldly flavour. The first programme gets off to a tranquil start in Mexico City--which is home to the ancient Floating Gardens of Xochimilco--before heading east to the organic allotments and market gardens of Havana. Other locations featured in this series include: Australia and New Zealand, India, South America, The United States of America, China and Japan, The Mediterranean, South Africa, Northern Europe, and South-East Asia.

Customer Reviews

Amazing Gardens Around the World

My husband and I have always enjoyed Monty Don's enthusiasm about his
gardening and everybody's gardens no matter how small.
We watched some of the series on TV and can now watch this marvellous
series anytime of the year of gardens around the world each one always
gives us great pleasure. Well done Monty. We really miss seing him on
the TV.

Great.
This is a great series. I'm not a gardener, but I always find Monty Don's enthusiasm catching.Ga

What is a Garden?
From medicinal plants floating in containers on the Amazon to the almost plant-free zen gardens of Japan - the vast majority of the 80 gardens here bear little resemblance to the traditional British garden. This DVD challenges your concept of what actually constitutes 'a garden', and there are many times throughout the series when Monty Don admits to being unsure himself.

The journey he makes across the globe is fascinating, with lots of history and cultural references added to the gardens he visits. Monty is an enthusiastic presenter, and he is quite honest with his evaluations..... and even when his opinion is not so forthcoming you can usually sense if he feels disappointment or pleasure about the places he visits.

I thoroughly enjoyed the series and I am glad I purchased the DVD, however I would have preferred if he had named more of the plants and trees we see around the world. Failing that, a glossary as an extra on the DVD would have been nice. Sadly, there are no extras at all. Sound is 2.0 Surround with English subtitles available.

Programmes:
01. Mexico and Cuba
02. Australia and New Zealand
03. India
04. South America (Brazil, Argentina, and Chile)
05. United States of America
06. China and Japan
07. The Mediterranean (Italy, Morocco, and Spain)
08. South Africa
09. Northern Europe (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Norway)
10. South-East Asia (Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia)