The Adventure of English – DVD Review

By June L. Jul 14, 2009, 18:32 GMT

The life story of a remarkable language Join Melvyn Bragg and a host of experts as they explore the vibrant 1,500-year history of the English language. How did it grow from a relatively insignificant Germanic dialect to become the premier language of culture, commerce, and diplomacy around the globe? The answer involves bloody conquest, political intrigue, and plenty of creativity. Renowned authorities such as Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney, cofounder of ...more

It is difficult not to begin with a string of superlatives, for this entertaining and educational DVD set is worthy of much praise.  Melvyn Bragg, president of Great Britain’s National Campaign for the Arts, narrates the beautifully filmed and enthralling story of the English language.

English speakers all around the world will be interested in the past, present and future of the language as roots, development and expansion are explored.

The politics of a place seem to play a large role in the development of the primary language.  Beginning with the Germanic tribe from Frisia who came to the British Isles after the Romans left, and pushed the remaining Celts to the far corners of the land, the history of the English that we speak today is traced. 

With each invasion or attempt to conquer Britain, the English language either came to the forefront or was shoved underground.  Even in the time that it disappeared from use by those in power, the language was still growing, expanding with new words from different cultures. 

It is still growing and changing today, as English is spoken around the world, but with differences that are unique to the various geographical locations and cultures.  
In eight episodes the history of the English language is explored and revealed.  Experts on words such as Nobel Prize winning poet Seamus Heaney, John Barton of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Katherine Duncan-Jones an Elizabethan scholar, explain the development of the language we speak today. 

Literary examples such as readings from Beowulf, Chaucer, Shakespeare, illustrate how the language has changed in sound.  Alongside the literary changes, audiences can experience the cultural changes as dialects and slang words are incorporated into English. 

In the final episode, the changes in English that have occurred during the 20th century, and the possible changes due to technology, sociology, and economics are discussed.

The Adventure of English is presented on four discs, each housed in a keep case illustrated with stills and program notes from the episodes, and all are housed in a slipcase.  The running time for the entire series is 405 minutes, and is in widescreen format. 

Along with the DVDs is a 16 page viewer’s guide booklet.  This summarizes each episode and poses questions to consider for individual or classroom study.  There is a bibliography of learning materials for further study, making this a possible avenue for multiple learning experiences.

The final disc contains a section of “Architects of the Language” biographies, and there are web extras available, again opening up more in-depth learning opportunities.  This set belongs in the collections of those who love languages and words, history and the arts. 

It is a stunning production designed to increase the viewer’s knowledge and spark curiosity about the way in which we communicate using the English language.

The Adventure of English is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.