Educational Media Reviews Online

Presenter Andrew Graham-Dixon is obviously fascinated by the art and culture of Germany. He explores the beginnings by looking at the often neglected art of the German Middle Ages and Renaissance. The videography of scenes in the German countryside and forests as well as buildings like Cologne Cathedral is outstanding in all three episodes. Seeing the wood sculptures of German limewood or ancient oak in high definition is the next best thing to being there, maybe better as you get to “fly” up to the ceiling for a better view. Graham-Dixon takes you to small Bavarian villages as well as metropolitan areas like Munich and Cologne to see exceptional German works of art like Albrecht Durer’s woodcuts. Views of gorgeous scenery and close-ups of sculpted heads complete A Divided Land. In the second DVD, Dream and Machine, Graham-Dixon examines the Romantic movement and moves on to the 19th- and early 20th-century. He travels to the northern coast of Germany, Griefswald, to explore how the Baltic coast impacted Caspar David Friedrich’s paintings of the German landscape. This DVD ends with the outbreak of World War I. The final DVD, In the Shadow of Hitler, focuses more on Berlin with Adolf Hitler and his building projects dominating the pre-war and war years. The Bauhaus (Building School), which rejects history and embraces new materials, styles, and techniques, begun in Weimar, a small community south-west of Leipzig is highlighted. Photographer August Sander is discussed at length and many of his portraits of the German people shown. Near the end of this DVD, Graham-Dixon indicates that art has a major place and impact in the new reunited Germany.

Video techniques and effects are very well planned and executed. Editing of the scenes in museums, cathedrals, train stations, and more is judicious and effective. This set of DVDs is suitable for high school and college students as well as adults, and libraries will want to provide for travelers, artists, students, and researchers.