Strange Landscape, A

Synopsis

Five part series investigating the art and philosophy of the Middle Ages.
Part 1. The JEWELLED CITY looks at Gothic cathedral at Chartres, where medieval pilgrims believed they could glimpse paradise.
Part 2 The FIRES OF FAITH focuses on the theological confrontation between Peter Abelard and Bernard of Clairvaux at the Council of Sens in 1140. Interwoven is the story of Abelard’s love for his student Héloise. Examines the nature of fame in the Middle Ages and the enormous changes convulsing 12th-century society.
Part 3, The SAINT AND THE SCHOLAR looks at the fate of religious dissidents, including Francis of Assisi and a papacy-led suppression of heretics in the south of France.
Part 4, The HAMMER OF THE WORLD, shows a time of intellectual struggle and exploration when Europe became a flourishing continent and the political and social institutions of the Western World were born. Ranging across science, politics, art, theology, philosophy, love and hatred, this series creates a vivid picture of the medieval mind with the aid of location footage, contemporary writings and stories.
Part 5, The CIRCLES OF LIGHT, uses special effects to dramatise the Inferno of Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’ and depict a journey from the darkness of hell to the light of paradise. Interweaves Dante’s life, his love for ‘Beatrice’, and the religious and scientific beliefs embedded in his work.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video

Year of production

1995

Availability

Sale

Notes

Broadcast on BBC2 from 27/5/95. Each individual 50 minutes episode is also available to purchase separately, priced £195 (+VAT, +P&P)

Subjects

History; Religious studies

Keywords

cathedrals; Christianity; Dante Alighieri (1265-1321); Middle Ages; poetry; religious belief and practice

Credits

Director

Derek Towers

Contributor

Jim Burge

Cast

Christopher Frayling

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 2 PAL

Price

£780

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

250 minutes

Year

2013

Sections

Title

Jewelled city, The

Synopsis

1: Looks at Gothic cathedral at Chartres, where medieval pilgrims believed they could glimpse paradise.

Title

Saint and the scholar, The

Synopsis

2: Focuses on the theological confrontation between Peter Abelard and Bernard of Clairvaux at the Council of Sens in 1140. Interwoven is the story of Abelard's love for his student HéloÓse. Examines the nature of fame in the Middle Ages and the enormous c

Title

Fires of faith, The

Synopsis

3: Looks at the fate of religious dissidents, including Francis of Assisi and a papacy-led suppression of heretics in the south of France.

Title

Circles of light, The

Synopsis

4: Uses special effects to dramatise the Inferno of Dante's 'Divine Comedy' and depict a journey from the darkness of hell to the light of paradise. Interweaves Dante's life, his love for 'Beatrice', and the religious and scientific beliefs embedded in hi

Distributor

Name

BBC Active Video for Learning - now BBC Learning

Contact

Carolina Fernandez Jeremy Wilcox (CF - for educational enquiries JW - channel sales manager)

Email

BBCStudiosLearning@bbc.com

Web

https://www.bbcstudioslearning.com/ External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 20 8433 1009

Address

BBC Studios Limited
Television Centre
101 Wood Lane
London
W12 7FA
UK

Notes

The BBC Active company has now been absorbed within BBC Learning, a division of BBC Studios. It was originally a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Pearson Education. Formerly known as ‘BBC Worldwide Learning Studies’ and before that as ‘Videos for Education & Training’