- Format: NTSC, Widescreen
- Language: English
- Region: Region A/1
- Number of discs: 2
- Studio: LIONSGATE
- Release Date: September 27, 2016
- Run Time: 336 minutes
History has
gotten far more entertaining since I was a kid in school, with even documentary
specials such as “Barbarians Rising” making use of spectacle. Recreation
footage has long been used in documentary programs, but it is done with real
actors and production values in this series. The result is an engaging
narrative framework for the history lesson, even if this approach means
sacrificing a complete account of events.
The narrative of
Rome’s eventual
demise relies on the documentary format as much as the history makes use of
spectacle. There is no one protagonist, so the structure of the show allows
each individual threat to Rome
its own segment for discussion. Beginning with Hannibal
and ending with Attila, the four-part docudrama covers a 700-year period of
resistance against the Roman Empire.
What makes this engaging, however, is
not the massive scale of the narrative. Instead, the series succeeds because of
the intimacy allowed in the story of each rebel leader. Although occasionally
interrupted by a talking head providing details of our historical knowledge, it
is the successful recreation of these moments that allow the story to come
alive.
There has been some criticism of this show for
the accuracy and detail sacrificed in favor of spectacle. While I can
appreciate the frustration of historians expecting more from a show on The
History Channel, I likely would have found a traditional documentary less
engaging. I suppose that the worst thing you can accuse The History Channel of
doing is making an effort to reach a wider audience. Since they have already
begun contributing with original programming, “Barbarians Rising” should not
seem so out-of-place.
Heavily stylized
with polished visuals and slow-motion action, this is one of the few docudramas
that is enhanced by the high definition presentation of the Blu-ray release.
Each of the episodes (Resistance, Rebellion, Revenge, and Ruin) are just under
85-minutes long, with two included on each of the discs in the set. The Blu-ray
release also comes with a Digital HD copy of the series, though there are no
special features on the discs themselves.
Entertainment Value:
7/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 6.5/10
Historical
Significance: 3/10
Special Features: 1/10
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