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Season 1 – Civilisations

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Civilisations Mar 2018 History Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Three experts travel the world to discover more about human creativity and how art has developed through the ages. Together, Simon Schama, David Olusoga and Mary Beard visit over 30 countries.
Civilisations — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Civilisations proves to be a worthy reboot of Kenneth Clark's 1960s series, whisking viewers across the globe for an engaging tour through the varied art forms that humanity has crafted over millennia.

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Critics Reviews

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Sebastian Smee Washington Post 04/16/2018
If the expanded view makes the ensuing narrative necessarily amorphous, it's also exciting, and compulsory viewing for a new generation of viewers who may not have seen the earlier productions. Go to Full Review Deborah Ross The Mail on Sunday (UK) 03/19/2018
3/5
There was no coherent timeline but, that said, I did enjoy seeing what I could see of the artefacts, given all the perching. Go to Full Review Carol Midgley The Times (UK) 03/05/2018
4/5
No, it's not Civilisation, but it is televisually more sumptuous, technology having improved so much since the 1960s. I enjoyed it. Go to Full Review Alison Rowat The Herald (Scotland) 06/28/2018
If nothing else, a kind of TV talent show for academics: Britain's Got Intellectuals. Go to Full Review Amy Glynn Paste Magazine 04/17/2018
8.1/10
The series is an important one -- it should be watched. Go to Full Review Christopher Stevens Daily Mail (UK) 04/02/2018
5/5
This series has sputtered as it attempts to include all world history, but it came thrillingly to life when Schama compared the Renaissance in East and West. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
Civilisations — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Simon Schama

Host

David Olusoga

Host

Mary Beard

Host

Denys Blakeway

Executive Producer

David Olusoga

Writer

Caroline Buckley

Producer

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Mar 1, 2018 Second Moment of Creation Simon Schama explores the role creativity has played in the development of humanity. He marvels at the extensive marks and paintings on caves made some 80,000 years ago in South Africa. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 8, 2018 How Do We Look? Professor Mary Beard examines ancient art's depictions of the human body from around the globe; she seeks answers to why these images exist and how these representations still affect humans today. Details Episode 3 Aired Mar 15, 2018 Picturing Paradise Simon Schama realizes the meaningful intricacies of landscape painting as a form of escapism and a projection of dreams and idylls. He begins his art exploration in 10th-century China. Details Episode 4 Aired Mar 22, 2018 The Eye of Faith Professor Mary Beard tackles the topic of religion and art, and how these two topics have inspired one another for millennia. She visits sacred sites across the globe to explore their highly contested boundaries. Details Episode 5 Aired Mar 29, 2018 The Triumph of Art Three experts travel the world to discover more about human creativity and how art has developed through the ages. Together, Simon Schama, David Olusoga and Mary Beard visit over 30 countries. Details Episode 6 Aired Apr 5, 2018 First Contact Three experts travel the world to discover more about human creativity and how art has developed through the ages. Together, Simon Schama, David Olusoga and Mary Beard visit over 30 countries. Details Episode 7 Aired Apr 12, 2018 Radiance Three experts travel the world to discover more about human creativity and how art has developed through the ages. Together, Simon Schama, David Olusoga and Mary Beard visit over 30 countries. Details Episode 8 Aired Apr 19, 2018 The Cult of Progress Three experts travel the world to discover more about human creativity and how art has developed through the ages. Together, Simon Schama, David Olusoga and Mary Beard visit over 30 countries. Details Episode 9 Aired Apr 26, 2018 The Vital Spark Simon Schama looks at the fate of art in a profit-driven world, and asks whether art should offer an escape from the modern world or plunge headfirst into the chaos. Details

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Civilisations — Season 1

Civilisations Civilisations Civilisations Civilisations View more photos

Season Info

Director
Ian Leese, Tim Niel, Hugo Macgregor, Ashley Gething, Matthew Hill
Executive Producer
Denys Blakeway, Michael Jackson
Screenwriter
David Olusoga, Mary Beard, Simon Schama
Network
BBC
Genre
History, Documentary
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Mar 1, 2018