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The Story of India DVD

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Sixty years after Indian independence, British historian Michael Wood presents the tale of the oldest and most diverse civilization, and largest democracy. A nuclear power and a rising giant, India's population will overtake China's within 10 years and its economy is predicted to overtake that of the U.S. in the 2030s. This journey of sights and sounds, and achievements takes him from the deserts of Turkmenistan to the Khyber Pass.
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
PBSThe Story of India DVD
 
4.8

(based on 113 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (95)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (14)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (1)

Most Liked Positive Review

 

Excellent Exposition

Most of the documentaries I have seen come from producers who want to show the poverty and filth, rather than the strength and history. Michael Wood is a true India lover and has taken ...Read complete review

Most of the documentaries I have seen come from producers who want to show the poverty and filth, rather than the strength and history. Michael Wood is a true India lover and has taken story telling to the next level. It is a good documentary for the kids to get an inside look at the Indian history.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

 

Untrue, Made Up, Hollow "Story of India"

My review of Story of India by Michael Wood
I would rate this -10 if possible! It's full of pretty photography a la NGC and stupid interviews of street vendors and equally ignorant, half-kn...Read complete review

My review of Story of India by Michael Wood
I would rate this -10 if possible! It's full of pretty photography a la NGC and stupid interviews of street vendors and equally ignorant, half-knowing people. It's full of personal impressions and gives very little of factual information. less than what could fit in a 30min documentary.
This so called "Documentary" is spectacularly superficial. Hides millions of atrocities that the British caused in south Asia (for example financial frauds with kings, cheatings, forceful conversions by the so called "fathers").
More Surprisingly Mr. Wood does not mention one single freedom fighter from India apart from Gandhi, Nehru and Jinnah!! No Phule, No Gokhale, No Tilak. No Ambedkar. No Netaji. No Azad. No Bhagatsingh, No Lajpat Ray, No Savarkar!! And each of these names have to perhaps have an episode in a real “story of India”
Even Gandhi comes in one sentence without any mention of his three biggest ideas (Civil Disobedience, “Chale Jao, British” (British Leave Now!) or Sattyagraha). And no reflection on how he influenced the world – Non-violence/Influence on American History etc.!
It completely neglects the important overseas connections of the freedom struggle - like the Gadar party in USA. It neglects role of social reformist movements like Raja Rammohan Roy, Brahmo Samaj, Vidyasagar, Agarkar, Vivekananda, M N Roy and does not even a passing mention Ravindranath Tagore - the first Indian Nobel prize winner and his role in educating Indians.
It does not even mention the role Indians played in First and Second world war.
But very "cutely" it showcases a very "adorable" old historian - whose ancestors worked for British and (hence??) he justifies the British raj in one sentence saying the British gave India its geographical unity!
Thank God, it does not show that the British built the Himalayas for the sake of poor Indians and brought Monsoon with them!
In a very sugar-coated way, the director, claims to love Indian root culture and completely bypasses the large portions of history. Is BBC bent on re-writing Indian history?
Earlier episode 5, completely neglects the Maratha Empire, the Rajput fighters, the Sikh Rebels and Tipu, and the last Mughal emperor who was cheated and forcefully exiled.
It mentions Rani Lakshmibai as "Rani Jhansi" (as if her name was Jhansi!) and cleverly hides what happened to her! (Lord Dalhousie annexed her kingdom with a fraudulent claim saying her adopted son cannot be a heir!)
...and hundreds of other kingdoms that were completely eaten up forcefully by the so called "Queen".
British - barring some glaring exceptions - never treated Indians as even a civilization - forget the vast achievements in literally every field of human activity.
...as for the "united" geographical map, it is torn in three pieces courtesy British. Two of those will perhaps never reconcile and both have already gained Nuclear powers!
Some other examples of British "looting" were the Koh-E-Noor and many historically important pieces and jewelry that lie in London's museums and the reduction in India's share in the World Trade ~23% before British (largest in the world) to less than 1%, the vast number of forceful conversions ! No mention of any of these? I wonder why...
The BBC is trying to completely shrug off the burden of historic blunders that the British people have made, but the world knows better and more than a one hour documentary spanning 200 years of "British efforts of building a united India" as the episodes try to portray!

Reviewed by 113 customers

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5.0

A masterpiece work !!!!!

By Sunil

from Asheville, nc

Verified Reviewer

Comments about PBS The Story of India DVD:

This is the best documentary I have seen on India. Done by an expert, and the perspectives Michael Wood shares on the culture, people and region is one of a kind!! Michael is very engaging and you can see his brilliance along with his deep respect for various cultures!
A must see for anyone interested in understanding India, or Indians. i am Indian and bought this for many family members, and they all loved it!!

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

 
5.0

WOW, I am full Indian now!

By Pandrhally

from CA, chinohills

Verified Reviewer

Comments about PBS The Story of India DVD:

Watched this in Netflix but I felt I should own this DVD .......I am Indian, but now I know India more: I got to visit this places, Michael wood, what a presentation sir, great job.

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

 
5.0

great history

By Ev

from Rimersburg , Pa.

Verified Buyer

Comments about PBS The Story of India DVD:

I have watched documentaries by Miihael Woods before.Origins of cultures is very interesting.

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

 
5.0

Enjoyment

By Otto wurkr

from Edmonton , Canada

Verified Buyer

Comments about PBS The Story of India DVD:

The passion with which Michael Wood narrates and describes lifts you from your viewing perch and transports you to the sub continent ! I have given it as a gift many times.

(2 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

 
4.0

India Up Close

By Samtrak

from Washington, DC

Verified Buyer

Comments about PBS The Story of India DVD:

Enthusiastic narrator takes you on an entertaining and educational tour of historic and modern day India. I didn't realize so many Indians are black like me. I used to think that black Indians were outcasts or "untouchables" but apparently much has changed - for the better - over the years.

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