PBS Special about Medici filmed in Italy.
 

the medici, godfathers of the renaissance will broadcast this month (Feb 11 in my town). the website looks great http://www.pbs.org/empires/medici/show/prog.html
Travel for me is really enhanced by an understanding of the history that shaped the area. that historical context makes the places so much richer.

Thanks for the heads-up, tinarose. I'll look for it. Do you recall a wonderful Bill Moyers special on Florence many years ago? That one was a dandy! J.

It's actually a 4-hour program that'll be presented half on the 11th and half on the 18th.

Thanks for the alert. I'll be looking for it.

Regards,

Jinx Hoover

If it's not on your PBS station, it is available on DVD. I just rented it from Netflix.

Thanks you...appreciate the heads up.

Reminder-

The 1st half of the series (2hrs) will be shown tonight, the 2nd half will be shown next week on 2/18. Check your local PBS station for actual airtime.

tinarose, I agree, after reading up on the Medici family I went back to Firenze (after not caring much for it the first time) and was amazed at much I enjoyed following their history with the buildings that are still there! To me this is what makes Europe so fascinating.
(Don't tell anyone but I even had sort of an erotic dream about Lorenzo when I was in the hotel across from his villa in Florence, hmmmm)

Did anyone watch it tonight? What do you think?

I thought it was great =D>
Esp for someone like me who doesn't have the patience to read all about the Medici.
And how they digitally erased Brunelleschi's dome was pretty cool.
Can't imagine how our lives would be without great works by Brunelleschi, Botticelli, Michelangelo etc.

Can't wait till next week's conclusion. And can't wait till my next trip back to Italy!

I watched... I enjoyed it very much... hard to comprehend how it must have been to be alive during the time of these incredible artists and thinkers.

I didn't watch it but this review

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2004Feb6.html

was less than complimentary ("overheated attempt at potboiler history".) I'd be interested in hearing if those who did watch it agreed or disagreed with any of the critic's observations.

Oh, no, I missed it
Does anyone know if Part 1 will be rebroadcast here in the NYC area?

I found the re-enactments kind of cheesy, but it's fascinating history!

Just read the review Sue and it is indeed scathing. We were out last evening so missed the program, but will try to catch it on two other PBS stations on our cable system. Would like to see for myself what it's all about.

I think Philip Kennicott hit Donatello's David on the head but I still watched and donated to PBS with glee.

I was aghast by the word "Godfather" in the title. What on earth were they thinking?

Of course, it's a paint-by-number, boiler-plate production. This period in history can command a lifetime of study and deserves much more than a four hour docudrama, designed to attract folks who have no patience to study the real deal.

"That said, it is occasionally very entertaining, if one can approach it more like 'Shakespeare in Love' than educational fare," said Mr. Kennicott. I agree.

Elaine, surprising, there's no repeat listed in the Channel 13 February program guide.
I suggest you check the Channel 21 schedule during the next couple weeks. They'll probably be showing it.
I have it on tape and based on the Washington Post and NY Times reviews, my enthusiasm for viewing it is there only because I'm in the middle of reading Brunelleschi's Dome.

Great book, HowardR.

I agree, NYCFS. I taped the show, as I expect I may want to watch it more than once while reading the book and after I've finished it.
I believe the author, Ross King, has a new book out, the exact subject of which skips my mind at the moment.
NYCSF, My fascination with the duomo began the first moment I viewed it. After that, I kept getting drawn back to like like a magnet during the entire time of both our visits. And, the climb to the top is still one of our fondest memories of Italy.

"Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling," also great! I adore Ross King and he contributes, with others, in this docudrama.

Try www.pbs.org for schedule. They usually rerun things early morning & you can tape. I taped it last night 'cuz I can't miss West Wing. Will watch later. For some reason the first segment was 3 hrs. on my station. 2nd seg is 2 hours next week.