Pre-Islamic Persia: The Forgotten Glory 2009
Distributed by Films Media Group, PO Box 2053, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-2053; 800-257-5126
Produced by Mystic Film INTL and Nashre Iran
Directed by Makan Karandish
DVD, color, 2 discs, Birth of a Nation – 52 min., Renaissance of Glory – 43 min
College - Adult
Architecture, Art History, Economics, History, Middle Eastern Studies, Military Studies, Religious Studies
Date Entered: 10/07/2010
Reviewed by Michael J. Coffta, Business Librarian, Bloomsburg University of PennsylvaniaBirth of a Nation
This volume of the documentary centers on the benevolent Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire under the Achaemenid dynasty in 530 BC. His religious tolerance and global mindedness was contrary to bloodthirsty rulers of his time. The film discusses the expansion of his empire, construction of cities and resulting commerce. Particular attention is paid to the exceptionally wide reverence with which this king is held by various cultures. The film explicates Cyrus’s lineage, devolution, and eventual departure of Persian rulers from Cyrus’s core principles, following Cyrus’s death. The next magnanimous ruler of Persia was Darius the Great who bolstered his empire’s methods of recording and communication, trade, and architecture.
Renaissance of Glory
This DVD places much more emphasis on military campaigns, specifically those of Alexander the Great and Xerxes. It also emphasizes the absorption and deflection cultural influences, such as the influence of Zoroastrianism. The film details the intrigues of ascents to power involving assassinations, kidnappings, etc. The historical accounts are presented like a sophisticated story, narrated with several voices to draw distinctions between the historical figures.
One of the many striking aspects of this documentary is its use of images of relics, reliefs, sculptures, and more as visual representations of the events examined. The filmmakers visited numerous archeological sites to demonstrate the manner in which cities were defended, constructed, and how they represent feats in design.
This seemingly all-inclusive work is essential viewing for those with interest in Persian history. As much of an art exhibition as it is an historical enterprise, this film was painstakingly researched. Along with a dramatic narration, the film offers gorgeous camerawork, as in cases of shots of sunshine pouring through windows of ruins of an ornate temple. It strikes a rare balance of expansive coverage (covering centuries of history) with enough substance to effectively convey overarching historical themes, as well as providing granular information to bring this comprehensive presentation to life. While it covers a wide array of facets of the evolution of the Persian Empire, the transitions from topic to topic are smooth and concise.