The Vikings - NOVA (WGBH/Documentary)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: D Film: B+
The new
DVD of the WGBH Nova installment on The
Vikings is expansive documentary details much of a story that often isn’t
presented to the mass populace of this country. In detail, it shows how the Vikings were a
group of people who, while still prone to rape, murder and the pillaging of
coastal villages, also made some incredible discoveries and shaped several
cultures well outside of their own. Facts
such as Leif Ericson’s journey to America are explored, as well as less
established, or at least little-known facts such as the Vikings’ possible role
in the formation of Russia’s early social structure.
When
compared with what much of modern fiction has spun off as being rooted in fact,
you get two very different images attempting to show one group of people. The latter of which has conjured up images of
barbarians eager to reach their goals of battle and bloodshed, and pluck life
from their enemies. The desires of this
lifestyle may have been best summed up in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s words from
Conan the Barbarian, when Conan is being asked what was deemed best in life. “To crush your enemies, see them driven before
you, and to hear the lamentation of the women!” was his quick reply; and it
echoes as truth for many people who consider how life was lived in those
ancient days.
To get
what might be an accurate picture of these northern people, you likely have to
consider both this documentary and works of fiction such as the one discussed
above. True, the latter is a film that
also concerns snake-people, demons and the like; but certain historical
accuracies can be found scattered about, though meshed together from a variety
of ancient cultures. However, this documentary
itself doesn’t dismiss all of the Viking’s brutal behaviors - it merely puts
that into perspective with all else in their lives, rather than the
one-dimensional view we are surely accustomed to.
The
picture and sound quality on this disc are merely par, but I’d expect no more
for a documentary of this sort, so don’t sweat the median ratings given to both
categories. Sadly, though, there aren’t
any special features on here. Usually
those are atypical as well when dealing with something based on providing
information in the first place. I would
still be interested to see a short piece that contrasted the approach most
often used to portray these barbaric people throughout the sword and sorcery
films of the 1980’s against what this NOVA film had to reveal.
I
recommend this disc heartily - it certainly grabbed my attention, and presented
some very interesting archaeological finds from recent years and is
surprisingly sprawling in the depth of its content and reach. I also found that it goes over especially well
after watching a lot of popcorn fare in a vaguely similar vein, and maybe
knocks a little sense back into your perceptions.
- David Milchick
