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: July 26, 2005
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B0009IXRKI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,479 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

It is one of the holiest relics of Christianity the cup from which Jesus drank at the Last Supper, and in which Joseph of Arimathea collected the blood of the savior as he was crucified. Journey from the Holy Land to the museums of Europe in search of The Holy Grail. Ancient legends say the relic was transported to Britain and passed down among the descendants of Joseph, but could the Grail remain hidden somewhere in England? Experts explore the tangled web of stories surrounding the Grail in search of clues to its existence and purported powers. Is it possible that the Grail is a pathway to a higher power, or that the descendants of Jesus walk among us today, protected by the Grail's power? Trace the incredible history and extraordinary tales of power and superstition, magic and mystery that surround one of Christianity's most sought-after relics.

In Search of History

The Holy Grail

For over seven centuries, Christians have been searching for the Holy Grail, the cup Jesus Christ drank from at the Last Supper. Myth, legends and controversy surround the search for the Holy Grail. The legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table is the most famous, venerating not only the grail itself, but also the moral life needed to engage in the search. The Holy Grail would be useful for classes on World History, Religion, Literature and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Vocabulary

• ambrosia
• apostolic
• cauldron
• chalice
• chivalry
• citadel
• conclusively
• covenant
• dissuade
• evocative
• fervent
• heretic
• imbued
• liturgy
• papacy
• precariously
• prosaic
• quest
• relic
• reverent
• substantiate
• succumb
• transcendence
• veneration

Discussion Questions

1. There is more than one idea of what the Holy Grail is. What are the different versions of the Holy Grail?

2. Why has there been such a quest to find the Holy Grail?

3. Legend indicates that Joseph of Arimathea brought the Holy Grail to the British Isles. What are some of the reasons he may have done this?

4. What were the Crusades? What was their purpose? How did they shape European history in the Middle Ages?

5. How did the legends of the Holy Grail originate?

6. What did the grail symbolize for King Arthur’s knights?

7. Discuss the role of women in the legend of the Holy Grail.

8. Why did the Roman Catholic Church oppose the legends and searches for the Holy Grail?

9. The Holy Grail, a symbol of Jesus Christ, has been involved in violent struggles. How did the grail move people to violence? What is the irony of this?

10. What is the “Bloodline Theory?” Why is it so controversial?

Extended Activities

1. Create an illustration of what you think the Holy Grail might look like.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Should have more, December 1, 2006

By 

Customer "Consumer" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Search of History - The Holy Grail (A&E DVD Archives) (DVD)

I was expecting more from this History Channel's Holy Grail but the information are not much different from what you hear from Da Vinci Code's echo documentaries. This is a very brief documentary and the quality is not that good.