Educational Media Reviews Online

This program details the colorful, eight century history of what is now the world famous French museum, The Louvre. Designed initially to be a fortress protecting Paris from invaders, such as the Vikings, the castle Louvre took just ten years to 'complete'. The original monarchy of the 12th century did not reside in the castle but used it to house treasures and valuables, a crossbow factory, and imprison high ranking enemies of the king. It was not until Charles V rose to power that the Louvre became a royal residence.

Le Louvre chronicles the countless changes, additions, renovations and reconstructions ordered by the newest reigning monarchies of the time, each determined to leave their royal seal. It traces the Louvre's survival from accidental fire, its occupation during several revolutions, its final abandonment by the monarchy in the 1600s, initial origination of a school of the Academy (of many things, such as the sciences, the arts, etc.), its short-lived fall into disrepair and residency by stablemen, horses and 'dredges of Parisian society', and its takeover during the French Revolution.

It wasn't until August 10, 1793 that, under rule of Napoleon and the Republic, the Louvre opened as a museum. It showcased the most lavish of paintings, drawings and sculptures known to Europe at that time. Shortly after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, five hundred masterpieces 'acquired' during his reign had to be returned to their rightful owners and the envisioned grand architectural plans for the Louvre came to an abrupt halt.

Le Louvre concludes with the more recent and controversial addition of the glass pyramid designed by Chinese American architect I.M. Pei. This is a complete and detailed history of the 'transformation of an object of power to one of intellect by kings, revolutions, emperors and republics'.

The cinematography integrates footage of the present day building with numerous, beautiful lithographs, paintings and sculptures of yesteryear making history come alive. Scale models of the metamorphosing building, with areas of change highlighted, assist the viewer in recognizing the many various stages the Louvre underwent during its eight centuries.

Background music accompanying the narrative was unobtrusive. Additional sound effects, such as pounding horse hooves (during an explanation of King Louis the XIV's Grand Carousel pageant) or sounds of fighting (during revolutions) worked very well. A minor few, such as the wind blowing between an archway (found within the first few minutes of play), whether distorted from the original French version, closely resembled playback problems. None the less, it did little to detract from the program's full richness. Le Louvre would do well in an academic college offering courses in French culture, art or architectural history. Recommended.