The French Revolution (History Channel) Reviews

• Another Gem from The History Channel

  
  By A3OEECMCM2T4KQ on 2005-04-26
  There is a vast amount of information on the French Revolution that can be found in scholarly texts, recreational articles, Internet sites, as well as a large selection of documentaries that have been produced over the years. A great number of these sources are well worth a look at for the serious student as well as the part time historian. Without hesitation, this documentary should be at the top of the list, because it is not only a perfect introduction, but also an extremely well produced and informative film.
  
  The History Channel has produced many well-made and educational documentaries over the years. One would have to admit that their Biography Series is second to none. But they have really out done themselves with The French Revolution, as it covers the numerous causes of this important insurrection, focusing on major personages in the aristocracy, the enlightenment and the key political insurgents, painting excellent portraits of Maximus Robespierre and the mad journalist, Marat, leading to their ironic and bloody ends. The Reign of Terror is depicted particularly well with all its high drama, intrigue and endless flow of blood. Interestingly, these portraits of the major players in the revolution, Robespierre, Danton, Marie Antoinette and Louie the 16th, were all done with such pathos, that I came away from the film feeling real empathy for these people, especially Marie Antoinette. This is the way history, as a subject, should be taught, evoking feelings for the people and the times under study.
  
  The documentary combines images, well-acted scenarios and informative interviews with academics including a compelling narration - it is also very well written, as it is tremendously difficult to cover such a complex event in a short time and do it any justice. If you have any interest in The French Revolution, an event that virtually changed the world, this documentary would be a suitable starting point. It would also be a worthwhile teaching resource for students in the middle years and above.
  
  
  
  
  

• "Let Them Eat Cake"

  
  By A3PR4ZSBDUL4EG on 2005-08-31
  For those that know the famous,and most likely apocryphal, quote attributed to Marie Antoinette and little else about the French Revolution, the History Channel has finally produced an excellent documentary on this seminal event in world history. Enhanced with re-enactments and the usual historian/author commentary, this DVD brings the complex and bloody history of the French Revolution to life in a way that will entice the masses.
  
  The French Revolution is without question one of the most important events of the 18th century if not world history in general. It's ultimately tragic end, culminating in the Reign of Terror and the execution of even it's own outspoken creators ,adds to the drama of what was to be the crowing achievement of the Age of Enlightenment. From Louis VIX and Marie Antoinette to Robespierre and Danton, this documentary covers it all, if not in fine detail, then just enough to motivate the interested viewer to research more on his or her own.
  
  The French Revolution and its effects on the world stage have never been more accessible. This video was entertaining and educational and is recommended for teachers, students, and the amateur historian. Vive la France.
  
  

• Lacks any real analysis

  
  By A2KINNYKOHKPXT on 2007-03-12
  I watched this film yesterday at a library, and found its lack of depth and analysis to be dumbfounding.
  
  During the first minute, they tell how the revolution began when high bread prices sparked a violent uprising. During the next 99 minutes they narrate the chronological events of increasing violence, using acted scenes, fake blood and sound bytes from "scholars", to give a "play-by-play" summary of the carnage and beheadings, leading up to a mention of Napoleon.
  
  During the last thirty seconds, they surprisingly conclude by saying that the French Revolution was a very good thing, because it inspired China and Vietnam and because Louis was a tyrant. Prior to this little or no mention had been made of Louis' tyranny, although the film had dwelt on his bedroom difficulties in some detail and also mentioned his weight problem a few times.
  
  After watching 90 minutes of bloody scenes, I found the films conclusion that the French Revolution was a good thing to be an incomprehensible non sequitur. I would have liked to have seen some historical analysis to support this conclusion.
  
  

• Interesting Introduction to the French Revolution

  
  By A22K1F1KRI7UYV on 2005-03-04
  I glossed over the French Revolution back in junior high, but was not able to recount much years later. Because I don't have the time to read up on French history, I decided to check out this DVD.
  
  First off, I was very pleased with the information I received from this program. I could easily look up the info from the web in a matter of minutes, but I doubt I could have learned as much as I did from the DVD. Quite simply, the program is done like a story (with visual reenactments) and laced with interviews from scholars. The result is that you're entertained from start to finish, while understanding the conflict and events that are being described.
  
  And what's nice is that although the program isn't too long, it doesn't rush anything: we learn about Louis XVI's rise to the throne, his relationship with Marie Antoinette, and what led to their deaths. Robespierre and Marat's background are also analyzed, as they were both major players in the revolution.
  
  In all, a great DVD to own. I've been watching PBS and History Channel documentaries/programs for some time, and I was pleased that this production was done well. Although I wasn't too educated on the French Revolution before this DVD, I felt that the program was done with detail and accuracy. I definitely recommend it!
  
  

• Enjoyed By a 9th Grader

  
  By A2L8CFYJUN7IJN on 2005-12-06
  Yes, I am a freshman this year in highschool. We are learning about the French Revolution and our book did a very poor job explaining some parts of it specifically what Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI did through out all of this rage going on through out the country. We then watched this video during class. It was very informative and it kept my attention. Amazingly for once I enjoyed a movie we watched it school.
  
  The mix of both commentary, pictures, and re-enactments kept me watching. I am actually on here right now trying to find technical information about this movie because I want to use it as one of my resources for one of our projects.
  
  All-in-All, it was a great movie and if it kept the attention of a highschool freshman, I think anyone will like it!
  
  
• A Great Introduction to the French Revolution
  By A1HZKCBT5CPUXB on 2006-06-07
  This documentary essentially narrates and reenacts the events of the French revolution. As we listen to the story, we view paintings, historical documents, actors in period clothing, and shots of the places where certain events took place. It is fast paced and accompanied by gripping music. For those already familiar with the history of the French Revolution, it might be a little disappointing as it is not very in depth and there is little analysis. However, as an introduction to the subject, it serves its purpose well.
  
  The documentary emphasizes both the bloodiness and the radical nature of the event. Up until this point, France was a hierarchal society in which the privileged few lived extremely well and the masses lived in poverty. People accepted this situation, more or less, because they believed that this hierarchy was natural and sanctioned by God. However, the Enlightenment challenged all these ideas by asserting that all men (they weren't so sure about women) had the same moral rights. By this reasoning, one could no longer justify the great privilege of a small minority and the poverty and starvation of the masses. Many looked on at what was happening in France with horror; they saw a world turned upside down as the brutish, ignorant under classes slaughtered their king and queen, aristocracy and clergy. For many, this seemed anything but "natural" and "just."
  
  The great irony of the revolutionary project was that violence was the means to bringing about a more just society. In fact, towards the end of the revolution, Robespierre called for the return of virtue through violence. As Lynn Hunt says, one of the most important questions posed by the revolution is: how much violence is justified when fighting for changes that you believe are right?
  
  
• Learning about the French Revolution
  By A13CK1FP1H6SKI on 2005-09-20
  I found The French Revolution (History Channel) DVD to be very informative and interesting. This is a period of history that is difficult to understand, but this DVD helped me gain an understanding of how people can change circumstances and how circumstances can change people. I enjoyed the DVD and learned a lot.
  
  
• Moving portrayal of the French Revolution
  By AU33COG0V6Q2Y on 2006-02-25
  I highly recommend this series for children 10 and up through adulthood. I had no idea how insane the people of France became during the reign of terror nor how bravely King Louis and Queen Marie Antoinette handled their executions. My 10-year-old daughter was moved to tears to the human suffering caused during those years. We home school, so this helped spurred interest in history for my children.
  
  I would not recommend this for children under 10 because it is very graffic.
  
  
  
  
• Surprisingly good overview
  By A2DRYSX4Y40G5J on 2006-11-23
  I purchased this item for use in a college survey course on Western Civilization not expecting much from it, and was pleasantly surprised. It takes a complex subject and renders it thoroughly understandable. My only major complaint would be that it does not discuss very much the impact the Revolution had on the Catholic Church in France (the Civil Constitution of the Clergy). But for the money, I don't think anyone wanting to learn the basics of the French Revolution can do any better, unless they actually go to the trouble to read a book about it.
  
  
• puts it altogether!
  By A1FWHBNHDIU0P5 on 2005-08-14
  I had a lot of hazy details about the French revolution, but no real understanding of the big picture and the roles various famous people played in it. Nor did I completely understand the transition from king to Revolution to tribunal to Napoleon. This production puts it altogether in a very informative yet most entertaining way. It made the events and people seem as real as when I viewed (at the Conciergerie) the long list of those guillotined in Paris during the various Terrors. This dvd would be a wonderful introduction to the times for a class or for the casual reader of history.
  
  
• Information packed documentary!
  By A2WOJOAL4OAOR3 on 2006-10-21
  I have nothing to add to the other reviews. This is an awesome documentary, extremely "entertaining". Professors' opinions were subjective however. For more in depth, grab a couple of books. But what i really liked about the documentary was the narrator's clear voice. I was wondering if the history channel ever followed up (Napoleon et al) using the same narrator? PBS's Empires-Napoleon is alright, but the narrator is not as enthusiastic, and plus im looking at a wider context, not just Napoleon's history. I know he shaped France in specific, Europe in semi-general, and the world in general, but i would still like to take off where this one left off. if anybody knows, plz list it in the page's forum or something. Thank you.
  If you want to learn about the French Revolution, and do not have time -or just too lazy- to read, get this. You will enjoy it immensly.
  
  
• Well Made Documentary
  By A1TKYAYESYHIA2 on 2006-11-27
  The French Revolution is an excellent documentary on the History Channel which is well acted and very enlightening. The reenactments were superb with good paintings, authentic customes and illustrations of this period of ernomous upheaval in France as well as Europe. The commentaries by a selection of historians were very well done.
  
  The documentary vividly brought to light the chaotic scenes during the dramatic and far reaching events of the Revolution complete with the mindless violence and bloodletting in the Reign of Terror. The heavy fighting by the French Forces during this period against the various coalitions that were determined to crash the Revolution added to the misery and suffering of the French people. I loved and was moved by the dignity and bravery with which King Louis and his wife, Antoinette faced their fate at the guillotine.
  
  The narrator, Edward Herrmann, did a commendable job of taking us through this well made documentary with enthusiasm and eloquence which made the film both entertaining and enlightening.
  
  
• Well done... entertaining
  By A3F5TDY7UWLN5A on 2007-01-05
  This set provided a great overview of the French Revolution. I found it to be historically correct with a lively narration.. I show it to my World History classes.. the kids actually watch... well most do.. :)
  jh
  
  
• IN THE TIME OF THE GREAT FRENCH REVOLUTION
  By AGEIT17HENDIS on 2007-06-28
  This year marks the 218th anniversary of the beginning of the Great French Revolution with storming of the Bastille on July 14th 1789. An old Chinese Communist leader, the late Zhou Enlai, was once asked by a reporter to sum up the important lessons of the French Revolution. In reply he answered that it was too early to tell what those lessons might be. Whether that particular story is true or not it does contain one important truth. Militants today at the beginning of the 21st century can still profit from an understanding of the history of the French Revolution.
  
  There are many books that outline the history of that revolution. I have reviewed some of them in this space. Probably the most succinct overview, although it was written over one half century ago, is Professor Georges Lefebvre's study. For those who want a quick visual overview of the main events and political disputes the History Channel production under review has a lot to recommend it. The production covers all the main pre-revolutionary problems confronting France at the time, including its terrible debt problems caused in the main by its support of the American Revolution, to the political, social and, yes, sexual inadequacies of Louis XVI. As has been noted by many commentators on revolution, including myself, one of the prerequisites for revolution is that the old regime can no longer govern in the same way. The personage of Louis XVI seemingly fits that proposition to a tee.
  
  The production goes on to highlight the key events. Obviously, and most visibly, the storming of the Bastille that opened up the cracks in the old monarchial regime. It details the struggle to create a constitutional monarchy through the various legislative assemblies that sought to carry out the reforms necessary to bring France into the modern age short of declaring a republic. And also the attempts, including by Louis himself, by forces of the old regime to return the old monarchy or stop the revolution in its tracks. When those efforts failed and the revolution began in earnest the production details the internal struggle by the revolutionaries, most notably the great fight between the Girondins and Jacobins for power, and the formation of the republic. After the defeat of the Girondins this led to the further fights to `purify' the revolution among the Jacobin forces and the reign of the Robespierre-led Committee of Public Safety that consolidated the gains of the revolution through the `Reign of Terror'. Finally, the downfall and execution of Robespierre in 1794 represented the reaction that most revolutions exhibit when the political possibilities for further leftward revolutionary moves are no longer tenable.
  
  There are many great scenes portrayed here as well. The murder of Marat by Corday. The Festival of the Supreme Being. The oratory of Danton and many more scenes that give one a pretty good general feel for the dynamics of the revolution. Included are `talking head' comments by noted historians of the revolution giving their take on the meaning of various events. This is a plus. The major negative is in the axis of presentation. Almost fatalistically the emergence of Robespierre is intertwined throughout all of the earlier events giving the impression that he was inevitably bound to take power. And, also inevitably, due to the excesses of the `Reign of Terror' to lose it. This may be good documentary presentation form but it is bad history. Revolutions, particularly great revolutions, are few and far between. They are messy affairs at the time and as seen through the historical lens. Nevertheless if the social tensions in society could always, or should always, be resolved in a nice non- violent parliamentary way there would be no revolutions. Damn, where would that leave us as the inheritors of the sans-culottes tradition?
  
  
  
  
  
  
• French Revolution: Deadly Mixture of Tyranny and Enlightenment
  By A2RELWKFCZRB8G on 2007-07-05
  The French Revolution, a DVD set by The History Channel, will be of interest to a wide audience. Well-done reenactments, paintings, interviews with leading historians, and the narration of Edward Herrmann help viewers get a better appreciation for the French Revolution and its impact on European and world history. The History Channel does a good job in covering the events, including the American Revolution, which led to the overthrow of the French monarchy and the establishment of the New Republic in the 1790s C.E. Furthermore, The History Channel explains well the interactions among the main protagonists of this bloody, chaotic, and transformative period. These protagonists were among others king Louis XVI, his wife Marie Antoinette, Jacques Necker, Maximilien Robespierre, Jean-Paul Marat, George Jacques Danton, Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, and last but not least, Napoléon Bonaparte. To its credit, The History Channel clearly articulates the institutional developments at the apex of France and the vain attempts of the other European powers to nip the French Revolution in the bud. To summarize, this DVD set reflects with conviction on a watershed series of events that like the Industrial and American Revolutions thoroughly changed the course of human history forever.
  
  
  
• An entertaining intro to the Fench Revolution...
  By A2RCM4FX4ZBY81 on 2007-01-04
  This is not a completely accurate account, but hell, how could it be, it was over two hundred years ago....Some facts and other details were changed or left out, though all in all I'd say this is a pretty good introduction to one of the most important events in human history.
  
  As well, I found the actor portraying Robespierre rather fascinating to watch.
  
  
• central to what we consider to be western civilization
  By ADBGEG2MSJM7U on 2007-05-29
  The French revolution was as earth shattering as any revolution that has ever happened. I know many Americans think the French are a bunch of Frogs who lost the first world war and laid down during the second, but they were a force to be reckoned with during the 17-19th centuries. The dvd gives clarity to those of us who were half awake during European history class Junior year of high school. Robespierre and Marat. The reign of terror. The guillotine. Mob riots. All sounds like a fun time or Los Angeles on a good day.
  
  
• great source
  By A29BW7574ADHE on 2007-01-16
  Accurate, entertaining. I used it as historical background b4 teaching A Tale of Two Cities. It was rather pricy.
  
  
• Superb
  By A3TUWSH2TRCZO on 2007-11-24
  As usual, this is another superb History Channel production. I used it in my World History classes and it was very well received.
  
  
• Very good, but missing a few things.
  By A1BOOAQ3WEU5R4 on 2008-04-14
  I am a graduate student studying for a PhD in History. My dissertation is on the French Revolution, so I know many of the key events that took place during this momentous moment in history. I understand that this video is truly made for 'the masses,' and not for scholars, but there still a few things the History Channel ignores. First and foremost, there is no mention of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. This key document which unfolds into its own episode within the Revolution, and has recently been cited as one of the turning points of the Revolution where 'things started to go bad,' is not even discussed once- neither is the Marquis de Lafayette. The historiography also tends to focus too much on specific people such as Robespierre and Marie Antoinette, who were of course important in terms of the unfolding of events, but other important figures could have been discussed more. All in all it is an informative, well documented production that will most likely leave the viewer feeling much more informed about the event that ushered in the modern era.
  
  
• Very nice, but a bit narrow in its scope
  By AILKP02B1Z38W on 2006-12-31
  I agree with 99% of the points that the reviewers before me have written, but I found two areas of weakness in the film. First, the consequences of the Revolution are given short attention--while many mundane facts are played out to unnecessary length at the beginning of the film. Secondly, the role of Robespierre is overstated and the contributions of so many other people, forces, and groups are underreported. Both are somewhat minor quibbles. My advice to those who wish to learn about the French Revolution is to have other resources available that cover these two areas. Some background of 17th and 18th century France and Europe would be invaluable as well as providing viewers full biographies of the movers and shakers in France at the time.
  
  
• Very educational
  By A2Z2PDDM8AKSMJ on 2007-05-12
  I found this documentary very facisinating and extremely educational. It was also entertaining with the reenactments and historians that gave wonderful insight about one of the most violent periods in history.
  
  Extras include "The Making of The French Revolution", which was also quite interesting.
  
  
• wonderful DVD on the french revolution
  By A1MGGDWRGEVOJ2 on 2007-06-18
  This DVD was extremely entertaining and very educational. I would highly highly recommend it if you are one who enjoys history.
  
  
• What I was looking for
  By AIPNG9P5L9USK on 2008-02-08
  I bought the French Revolution DVD to replace a worn-out VCR tape of the same program--an excellent move. I am very pleased with my purchase.
  
  
• Educational and Entertaining!
  By A3KB1H0S7T6JX1 on 2008-06-02
  The French Revolution is a History Channel documentary shedding light on one of the most important events of Western Civilization. The documentary follows a pragmatic, realistic, and in effect a more truthful account of the French Revolution by using many available sources in describing and discussing King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, Marat, Robespierre, Danton, and events leading to the French Revolution (1789).
  The movie does a good job of transporting the viewer to 18th Century France and presenting the French Estates system.
  We get a taste (though a very light one) of France's involvement in the American Revolution (beginning in 1778).
  Moreover, we get to see and hear about some of the lies and propaganda that helped shift public opinion against the Queen as well as the fact that King Louis XVI did not wish to rule and was forced into that position following the death of his grandfather Louis XV.
  The film is also excellent in showing the raw brutality and excessive force of the Revolution.
  The only major setback is in relation to the History Channel's bias in openly shunning Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and scorning the French monarchy.
  Unlike many of the History Channel's recent documentaries with a biblical theme that are heavily biased, fictitious, and speculative, such as The Exodus Decoded, The French Revolution is very well written and very well presented allowing for a thought-provoking documentary that will provide food for thought well after it is over as it offers valuable insight into a very important period of French (European) History.
  The History Channel's The French Revolution is strongly recommended along with Napoleon the TV Miniseries (starring Christian Clavier, Isabella Rossellini, Gerard Depardieu, and John Malkovich), Brotherhood of the Wolf (Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel), Marie Antoinette (Kirsten Dunst), and Vidocq (Gerard Depardieu), as well as to a lesser extent Queen Margot (Isabelle Adjani), for those with a soft spot for French History.
  
  
  

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