There's nothing like a good documentary to overturn longstanding erroneous beliefs, and watching England: Land of Splendor and The Tower of London corrected a couple of my own: not only is Big Ben not the name of the humongous clock (Big Ben is actually the bell), but the crown jewels--which I had always assumed was the scientific name for "testicles"--are really diamond-encrusted headpieces worn by previous kings and queens. Beautifully filmed, England: Land of Splendor easily lives up to its title on a visual level: sweeping shots of the white cliffs of Dover, visits to Canterbury and St. Paul's Cathedral, and observations of British rituals and events--such as the Trooping the Colors ceremony and the Henley Regatta--are offered up in vibrant colors and superb clarity. However, the overlaid narration is basically serviceable--hauling viewers from one gorgeous sequence to the next, offering a few facts in a dry British tone, but rarely matching the eloquence of the imagery.A bit more punchy is The Tower of London, the "official guide" to one of London's more colorful--mostly blood red--historical sites. An onscreen host takes viewers on a trek through 900 years of history chronicling the changing architecture of the Royal prison, and stories of some of the most famous residents. Viewers will learn about Sir Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh, Guy Fawkes, and various other political and criminal prisoners, many of whom suffered a serious cut on the neck. In addition, the program looks at some of the perennial mysteries (Richard III's possible murder of the "little princes," the ghost of Anne Boleyn) which help ensure that the Tower receives a steady stream of tourists. Although not as sparkling as England: Land of Splendor (which was shot on film, not video), The Tower of London features respectable video footage and--though a 1989 title--provides an entertaining look at the rich history of London's most famous lock-up.Both titles are recommended for general travel collections. (R. Pitman)
England: Land Of Splendor; The Tower Of London
(1993) 86 min. $29.95. IVN. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 9, Issue 6
England: Land Of Splendor; The Tower Of London
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