Leonardo/The Divine Michelangelo

Synopsis
A 3-part BBC series on the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci combined on one DVD with a two-part docudrama on the life of Michelangelo.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Year of release
2004
Year of production
2003
Notes
THE DIVINE MICHELANGELO was broadcast in 2 60-minute parts on BBC1 beginning 29/2/04. LEONARDO was broadcast in 3 60-minute parts on BBC1 beginning 20/4/03
Subjects
Art; History
Keywords
history of art; inventions; history of Italy

Distribution Formats

Type
DVD
Format
Region 2 PAL
Price
£19.99
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
300 minutes
Year
2004

Sections

Title
Leonardo (3 parts)
Synopsis
A dramatised reconstruction of the life of Leonardo da Vinci, artist, scientist and engineer. Leonardo was one of the greatest figures of the Renaissance and yet only a handful of facts are known about him. He ate and drank with the most powerful men of his day yet always remained an outsider. This is the portrait of a genius of extraordinary diversity who lived a rollercoaster life of success and failure. Using computer graphics and virtual reality the viewer is able to retread Leonardo’s footsteps in Renaissance Italy and even enter - some of his works of art. The film also analyses his remarkable inventions, reconstructing and testing them.

Originally broadcast in 3 60-minute parts. Part 1, THE MAN WHO WANTED TO KNOW EVERYTHING covers Leonardo’s formative years, from his illegitimate birth to learning his craft and winning the patronage of Ludivico Sforza, Duke of Milan. In addition to painting masterpieces such as The Last Supper and Madonna of the Rocks, he also demonstrates his scientific understanding, designing an armoured war vehicle and a parachute. Part 2 - DANGEROUS LIAISONS. In 1500, Leonardo travelled from Milan to Venice, where he proposed a revolutionary form of warfare against the invading Turkish fleet. Later, returning to Florence, he pursued his obsession with flight, and became embroiled in a bitter rivalry with Michelangelo. Part 3 - THE SECRET LIFE OF THE MONA LISA. Alan Yentob tells the story of the creation of the most famous work of art in the world, the Mona Lisa, unravelling the many mysteries of this iconic image. Painted in 1503, the Mona Lisa was taken to France by Leonardo during the latter days of his life. Napoleon once kept the painting in his bedroom, and when it was stolen in 1911, it made global headlines
Duration
180 mins

Title
Divine Michelangelo, The
Synopsis
Unveils the man behind the myth. Five hundred years ago, Michelangelo created three of the art world’s greatest icons: the statue of David, the painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and the dome of St Peter’s in Rome. This revealing drama documentary traces his development from angry young man to pride of Rome. His prodigious talent has led people to describe him as more divine than human. Modern experts reproduce elements of his work to discover the extent of his genius. His personal life is also examined and he is seen to have fought with rivals, faked antique sculptures and stolen from popes to become the richest artist the world had ever known.
Duration
180 mins

Production Company

Name

BBC Television

Distributor

Name

BBC Shop

Email
bbcshop@bbc.co.uk
Web
http://www.bbcshop.com External site opens in new window
Phone
0844 848 9799
Fax
01795 414 555
Address
PO Box 308
Sittingbourne
ME9 8LW
Notes
The BBC Shop closed on March 29th 2016. It was replaced by the BBC Store (www.bbcstore.com) where many BBC programmes can be bought and downloaded in digital format only. The BBC continues to make many of its programmes available on DVD and Blu-Ray but these are now only available from other online retailers.
Name

BBC Worldwide Publishing

Web
http://www.bbcworldwide.com External site opens in new window
Phone
020 8576 3560
Fax
020 8576 3570
Address
80 Wood Lane
London
W12 0TT
Notes
Since Spring 2005, for home video releases see BBC, 2 Entertain Video

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