Product Details

• Actors: Michael Wood (Writer & Presenter)
• Directors: Jeremy Jeff
• 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: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: PBS
• DVD Release Date: March 10, 2009
• Run Time: 360 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001MYIPYQ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,803 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Studio: Public Media Distribution Release Date: 03/18/2009 Run time: 360 minutes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

103 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wonder That Is India, January 28, 2009

By 

MKM "mad about books" (Bronxville, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Story of India (DVD)

I must disclose two items - I am a big fan of Michael Wood and I am of Indian descent. I don't believe either of these color my review but both were my reasons for watching. Michael Wood is to History what Carl Sagan was to Science and Cosmology. His passion and interest in the subject matter may be viewed as overdone by some but I see it as sincere and therefore brings out the same in the audience. He is able to bring the story of 5000 years to life without leaving the present which is quite an accomplishment that has both to do with the filmmakers and India as both country and people.

The program was beautifully filmed and captures the voices of more than just the conventional academics that provide the commentary in many historical documentaries. The episodes on Asoka and Buddha are my favorites but all were easy to watch and taught me some or much that I had not already known. Some critics will call Wood's perspective as viewed through rose colored glasses. I would agree but I think that is by design and not meant to minimize much tragedy and depravity that has also occurred during the 5000 years. There are plenty of other resources that can provide that perspective.

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Look at India, January 8, 2009

By 

Partha S. Mohanram (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Story of India (DVD)

I have seen the first two episodes on PBS and was blown away. Wood is clearly an Indo-phile. You can see by his facial expressions and body language that he is blown away by the intricacies and depth of Indian history and culture.
My favorite part thus far - the fact that spice shops in Peshawar know exactly what Soma is. Soma is the "Rig-Vedic" elixir for the gods. No one in India today probably knows anything about it.
Another thing I really like, as an Indian, is that this is a history of all of India, including parts which are now Pakistan and played an integral role in the development of Indian civilization. The parts about the Indus Valley (Harappa and Mohenjodaro) were awe inspiring - like the earlier reviewer - this is stuff I learnt about in static history books 25 years ago - to see it in moving video was .... moving.

53 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "An Eye-Full of India", January 6, 2009

By 

R. Lee Hadden (Sterling, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Story of India (DVD)

Although I have only seen the first two episodes, this is a wonderful production. I call it an "Eye-Full" because the photography of this production is so wonderful. The six hour series by Michael Wood is filled with verbal information, as well as gorgeous shots of the Indian landscape and towns. It traces the history of the sub-continent from 30,000 years ago to the present, discussing the exploration and settling of the country by the earliest immigrants, and the spread of languages and language groups over the region.
The second hour focused on the impact of religion on the land, including the impact of the Buddha, and the development of human rights on the country and the people.
I have not been back to India since 1983, but the series brought back memories that not only had I forgotten, but that I had forgotten I ever had them in the first place. A very enjoyable and informative series, and I highly recommend it.