The Face of the World 2005 [2005 on packaging, 2004 on flyer, 2003 by ZDF Enterprises in credits]
Distributed by Films Media Group, PO Box 2053, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-2053; 800-257-5126
Produced by ZDF Enterprises
Director n/a
VHS, color, 3 videos, 30 min. each
Sr. High - Adult
History, Geography, European Studies
Date Entered: 08/26/2005
Reviewed by Karen MacArthur, Kansas State University[NOTE: Title screen have variant titles from the box covers. First Steps Into the Unknown has The First Steps to Uncharted Lands on the screen. Discovery of a New World has The Discovery of the Continents on the screen.]
The Face of the World is an informative three-volume series that traces the technical developments in mapmaking and, to a far greater extent, wider historical causes of the increase in mapmaking, such as military strategies, merchants’ needs for access to materials and markets, and quests for gold. Placed in a timeline and enhanced with re-enactments and animation supporting the narration, key events in the evolution of maps from clay tablets to modern globes are discussed in the context of history and motivations. Two experts, Professor Klaus Jürgen Matz and Professor Johannes Fried, argue the consequences in each stage of map refinement.
The first video in the series, First Steps into the Unknown, follows the advancement in mapmaking from cultures as early as 2300 B.C., when clay tablets and stone were used to represent maps, to the Portuguese efforts to complete a detailed system of written maps under Henry the Navigator. Coverage for this part of the series include the Odyssey as a catalyst for fomenting the desire for discovering new lands, the use of road maps for the Roman army, the Crusades, Marco Polo’s exploration of China, and the conquest of Constantinople.
The second video, Discovery of a New World, begins with the discussion of the perception of Jerusalem as the spiritual center of the world and ends with the discovery of North America. Topics covered in this section include the exploration of Africa and the slave trade that ensues, the advantages regarding trade nations with sea charts held over nations with little outside knowledge of the world, the failure of the Chinese to explore the world despite their use of charts and compasses, the power derived from superior knowledge gleaned from maps and its aid in colonization, and the treaty signed between Spain and Portugal regarding discoveries in different areas of the globe.
The True Image of the Earth, the third and final segment, covers the influence of the church on mapmaking and discovery, the increase in exploration caused by the discoveries of gold, the voyages of Captain Cook, the inclusion of scientists on exploration voyages to provide more specific information, and the attention to the interiors of continents in addition to the traditional mapping of shorelines.
Quality of the series, both technical and content, is manifest by its clear picture and sound, the variety of visual elements used to illustrate the important points of narration, and the scope of the information provided.
An overview of the importance of maps in history, this set is general enough for a wide audience, yet still suitable for students of history or European studies. It can be equally useful as a set or as individual sections and limited overlap of segments among the three videos allows a transition from each video to the next without being repetitious. The half-hour section format works well for a classroom environment, allowing time to stop for discussion after each video. This video series is highly recommended for senior high to undergraduate college level.