Product Details

• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• DVD Release Date: December 27, 2005
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000BKVL7U
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,288 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Winding roughly 6,700 kilometers through undulating mountains, grasslands, and desert, its vastness seems beyond the realm of human possibility. A wonder of the ancient world, the Great Wall of China is one of mankind's most massive building achievements. Yet contrary to popular belief, there is no single wall of China, but rather a series of walls built for different reasons at different times. MODERN MARVELS® embarks on a journey of discovery, investigating the mysterious history surrounding this cultural marvel. Historians and modern engineers discuss the planning, construction, and function of various segments while extensive location footage illuminates the stunning majesty of its architecture. Legend claims that the wall is a wellspring of warfare, madness, and death--can this be true? From ancient China onwards, THE HISTORY CHANNEL® explores the incredible history of THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA. DVD Features: Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Informative but dull..., August 5, 2006

By 

Diana Huang "Always on the look out for awesome." (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Modern Marvels - The Great Wall of China (History Channel) (DVD)

If you are looking for a great, beautifully done documentary on this topic I'd refer you to Discovery Channel's Secrets of the Great Wall. This one is very much dated in appearance. Lots of talking heads of historians with use of old old photos and footage of the wall as back drop. All the same this DVD is informative but this is not one I'd like to watch over and over again and I'm a person that loves to watch good ones over and over.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative!, July 2, 2008

By 

Loyd E. Eskildson "Pragmatist" (Phoenix, AZ.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Modern Marvels - The Great Wall of China (History Channel) (DVD)

The Great Wall of China is known as the longest construction project on earth, though neither its total length nor route are known. This is because the wall is actually a series of walls, built and rebuilt over 2,000 years. Originally the wall was built in B.C. between the various states of China, and then in 210 B.C. rebuilt to keep out the barbarians from the North. (The original rebuilder was also responsible for the terra cotta army recently found buried near where he supposedly is buried.)

Folklore has it that most of the original workers were conscripts, prisoners, and defeated armies, and that 70% of the one million workers died (starvation, etc.) during construction. Thus, it became known "the longest cemetery in the world," and was seen by the Chinese as a symbol of oppression, rather than an item of pride.

Regardless, the wall never was successful as a defensive measure, and the Tatars under Genghis Khan in 1210 A.D. overran China and rule it for about a century until driven out. Centuries later the Manchurians did likewise - largely let in by those sent as caretakers for the wall who had become their trading partners.

Chairman Mao ordered considerable amounts torn down as part of his repudiation of China's warlord past. The "good news" is that Western visitors post-Nixon soon convinced the Chinese that the wall was something to admire, and reconstruction has again been undertaken.

Bottom Line: "The Great Wall of China" provides good backround on the wall, as well as a number of photos of its current appearance as well as areas of extensive deterioration.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wall, February 2, 2008

By 

maiden pa. "gammaraider" (bedford, pa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modern Marvels - The Great Wall of China (History Channel) (DVD)

This is just great to watch and the only thing more amazing is the man's tomb who built it. This can be seen from space. What an awesome accomplishment, Truly a wonder of the world. Don't forget to also buy Engineering Empires:China which also covers an entire history of China. This is an awesome country with a great history.