The Black Death

The Black Death killed 1/3rd of the people of Europe from 1347-1349, with unknown millions more dying in Asia. It was the worst outbreak of deadly disease in recorded history, and in this era of worldwide AIDS has become a popular topic for school reports. This tape is part of the History's Turning Points series, co-produced by several media groups around the world, including The Learning Channel. Producer and director Emma De'ath (yes, that's her name) integrates high-tech graphics, contemporary artwork and costumed re-enactments to bring the subject to--um--life. (Most students won't notice that one of the Italian merchants is wearing blue jeans beneath his robe.) Kids will enjoy the impressive full-scale siege engines which catapult diseased "corpses" into an enemy castle (portraying the first known germ warfare), and there are lotsa skulls here, appropriately disgusting bleeding sores, dolorous monks, gravediggers, and an astrologer/doctor recording his observations of the disease. All in all, a very concise depiction of an unimaginably horrifying time (although more emphasis on the effects of the depleted population on the post-plague world would have helped). A final note: for $99.95 per tape, you expect cover artwork unique to the title, instead of the "series" painting of Vladimir Lenin (to the folks at Ambrose: get a color photocopier). Highly recommended. Other titles in the 13-part series include: The Great Wall of China, The Conquest of Spain, and The Siege of Constantinople. Aud: J, H, P. (R. Reagan)