Monarchy with David Starkey (British Documentary Mini-Series/Acorn)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C- Episodes: B
Based on
his books, David Starkey has created a TV mini-series about 1000 years about
the British Monarchy and this new
DVD release from Acorn Media contains the whole series. In trying to squeeze a millennium into six
hour-long programs, the shows move quickly and obviously, some key items hare
left out. The complaints have been more
than expected, but it is at least a start on the subject by someone very much
in the know.
However,
as I watched, the idea that the power is just there and never questioned is an
issue. Is it such a good thing for all
this conformity and work for “higher-ups” on this historic level a good thing? Are these people being paid enough for these
jobs? Is there any dangerous by-product
of this arrangement that coasts on the idea that tradition is somehow always
good and questioned? Yes. As I watched, several things crossed my mind
and the royals are obviously used to this.
WWII ended most royal dynasties and that Japan and Britain are in a
minority of countries with royalty in tact is a subject for another work.
Merchant/Ivory’s
brilliant (and only film of theirs that is total not boring) reminds us of how this behavior extended to the homes
of the rich aristocrats who appeased their way and the world’s into WWII by
capitulating to tradition and appeasing (even agreeing with) Hitler. Starkey is going through “just the facts” and
that is fine, but has its limits. It is
also why he probably got the access he did.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is mixed with old and new footage,
originating on digital HD, but there are more of the usual detail limits
because of the tradedown of the HD and addition of archive footage. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo can also very,
but is well-recorded, though it has no surrounds. A Starkey text bio is the only extra. All in all, Monarchy is worth a look if you are interested, but is far from the
last word on the subject.
- Nicholas Sheffo
