简介：Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Celts marked Enya's first significant public exposure, yet this grand documentary series is richly more than just its enchanting, ethereal soundtrack. Commissioned by BBC Scotland in 1987, the six-episode, six-hour odyssey reveals its age through its straightforward visuals and design, yet the narrative by writer and narrator Frank Delaney more than compensates with its profound scholarship and compelling delivery. "The Man with the Golden Shoes" initiates the series by tracing the Celts' primordial origins in Austria, examining burial remains that reveal a fiercely autonomous society, constantly propelled by expansionist and exploratory drives, yet ultimately falling short in unifying against the powerful Rome.

Subsequent installments adopt a thematic approach to Celtic history: "The Rise of Nations" navigates the British Isles, culminating in Celtic strongholds across Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany; "A Pagan Trinity" delves into Celtic mythology and the evolution (via cultural exchange) from Druidic priesthoods to Celtic-influenced Christian missionaries; "The Open-Ended Curve" casts light on the progression of Celtic art, music, and literature; "The Final Conflict" delves into the waning and subsequent resurgence of Celtic languages, and how this narrative echoes in contemporary (and frequently misconstrued) definitions of "Celtic"; and "The Legacy" scrutinizes the steadfast endeavors to safeguard Celtic language and culture in the modern world.

While Delaney and director David Richardson occasionally stumble with superfluous dramatizations (such as a history teacher droning to disinterested students), the period-specific reconstructions and archaeological research are consistently engrossing, and the sheer wealth of information guarantees its value on multiple watchings. The series is further enhanced by classic BBC films, offering a musical overview of Ireland, a news segment on global Celtic connections, and exclusive interviews and performances by Enya during the dawn of her extraordinary solo career. As it dispels myths to unveil the truth of 2,500 years of history, The Celts is an unmissable viewing for anyone captivated by this enthralling cultural legacy. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

For 800 years, a proud, vigorous, and vividly imaginative warrior society swept across Europe with unbridled fervor. The ancient Greeks referred to them as "Keltoi" and esteemed them as one of the distinguished races of barbarians. Embark on this enthralling narrative that follows their journey from their earliest roots 2,500 years ago to the zenith of their singular culture and the enduring legacy they maintain today. The series is complemented by spectacular reconstructions of Iron Age villages, dramatic reenactments of pivotal historical events, and visits to the contemporary Celtic territories. This captivating journey through the myths and heritage of the Celtic world is underscored by Enya's hauntingly beautiful music.