Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #513 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-06-19
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Formats: PAL, Subtitled
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 235 minutes

DVD Description
A breathtaking journey through the ages, telling the story of one of the world's most famous and beautiful cities. This lavish, landmark series explores how a place with no firm ground, no crops, no indigenous riches and no land army came to snatch success from the jaws of failure time and time again - right up to the present day. Step back in time to early Venice, recreated by the magic of CGI. See wooden houses on stilts replaced by the daring rebuild in stone and brick.

Witness the sacking of Constantinople and the Venice of Casanova, Napoleon, Byron and Mussolini. The stunning recreations and dramatisations in each episode are enriched by insights from charismatic aristocrat, architect and historian Francesco da Mosto. His family has lived in Venice for over a thousand years and, far from having that sinking feeling, he believes passionately in the future of this miraculous city...

Synopsis
Presented by Francesco da Mosta, architect, historian and filmmaker. Profiles the history and secrets of Venice from its establishment in the fifth century through the strong republican times to the modern day. Features dramatised re-enactments, a tour of the city and look at what the future could be for the city now that the sea levels are rising.

Customer Reviews

Francesco's Venice
These DVDs are a must for anyone plannng to visit Venice. They would form a basis of interest and direction for anyone's first visit. There is a historical thread from beginning to end starting with the birth of Venice and finishing with a dicussion on how Venice will fair in the future. The main historical figures are mentioned, the artists, architectects, sculptures, musicians etc and how they fitted into the fabric of Venice. This is not a stuffy historical guide, instead Da Mosto has laced the narrative with anecdotes and interesting stories, with gossip and scandal. His love for his home and birth place is infectious.
The DVDs are well shot and Da Mosto's story is well illustrated.
It is difficult to imagine how these 4 programmes could have been improved because although details are occasionally a little scant I am sure that it was never the intention to make this the definitive guide to Venice.
Francesco's Venice is a general interest guide full of facts spontaneity and humour and certainly gives anyone with the slightest interest in Venice a good idea of what the place is all about.

Excellent storyteller
If you are going to visit Venice, spending 4 hours watching this DVD will save you a lot of time (and money) since he puts the city in context and shows some of the highlights to head for. He is a master storyteller, and delights in telling you how Venetians have struggled from one disaster to another, making some magnificent buildings in the process.

The Venice on the DVD is without the hordes of tourists, overpriced tourist restaurants, and cheesy tourist shops which cram into Venice today - you will see that for yourself when you get there.

Better than a book guide !
If you are planning to visit Venice I recommend you invest in to this DVD and watch it before you go. This is more a historical guide than a review of the most important land marks.

As it happens Francesco ( an arcitec himself ) was born in venice and knows every corner and every dark secret of the city.

The production values are excellent and Francesco interacts with the past in a very clever way. The actors who play the main characters help to bring the history alive.

The cultural heritage is fascinating but the creation and expansion of the republic even more.

Apart from the history of his own family most the DVD refers to the most important highlights of the city and all you will need is a map to find them. There is far more information in this format than you can get in a guide book.

The DVD is made by the BBC and targeted to the British public.

Can he do Rome or Florence next ?