These 3 episodes are incorrectly labeled as season 2, which hasn’t been released yet, but need to be listed as part of Season 1 (which had 6 episodes, not 3).
About the episodes: Still exciting, but these last 3 were more interesting for the dynamic between our two protagonists rather than for the plot/case (less mystery). The resolution to the man obsessed with the imperial family member from afar had an intriguing and unusual, albeit fairly abrupt, resolution that I liked (though it was just a small side story parallel to the main cases).
Despite being quite old, this is very entertaining and still informative. It’s also very well rounded and that is probably the best reason for watching it, in spite of its age.
It’s a very nice documentary with some retrospective elements, dealing not only with famous holdings at the Louvre, but also historical events associated with it, such as the construction and growth of Paris, revolution, events from Napoleon’s and others’ lives, details of less well-known personages (outside of France), and curious tidbits about the museum itself (I’ve been at the museum several times but didn’t know there were still remains of the underground dungeons/fortress it was built on, for example). Some things you learn are “popular facts” like finding out that Louis XIV had 10,000 attendants in one palace alone, but I don’t regret learning that either.
Lucy Jarvis, the woman mentioned in the description who was the first Westerner to film inside communist China, is only featured on the first five minutes of the film in a quite scripted interview, which may seem a bit awkward (and not indicative of the high quality of the rest of the documentary).
The narration by the French Louis Boyer for the rest of the film is excellent—he’s charismatic and leverages his abilities to convey brief moments of irony or humor, as well as drama, very well.
Has his aged well? Definitely. This does not feel like watching an old BBC 1970’s episode of Civilisation or Ancient Rome documentary, where you need to interpret it through the lens of skepticism or historiographical curiosity. The historiocity is pretty accurate and doesn’t make any wild or edgy claims that haven’t held up to the test of time. Not that it’s a very tame documentary, but somehow, it’s still quite fresh and captivating.
I liked it so much, I watched it a second time the next day after the first viewing. Highly recommended for both its historical and factual value, as well as the entertainment factor.
While it’s still available to watch for free for most people in the U.S. who have a library card, through Hoopla, I’ll definitely be recommending this to friends.
9/10
Much better than expected. Large in scope and ‘world size’, beautiful cinematography, and decent acting.
And the romantic elements are actually reigned in at appropriate times, which keeps up the fast pace (well, so far; I am on Episode 3, though tempted to keep binging.)
Yes, there are some very obvious allegorical plot devices and links to “current affairs” straight out of the gate, but they’re balanced with the fantasy elements and help flesh out the alternate world.
.. P.S. Amazon’s teaser for this wasn’t very good or striking, but the show has turned out to be intriguing.
Edit - after finishing the first season, it lacked the anticipated depth I first thought I gleaned. To me, it was more visually appealing than anything else.
This was one of the best shorts I have ever seen, especially as it just does not need to be longer, which is relatively rare. This film short is a bit both commentary on European "affairs" and on innocently dark human nature.
Had to write this because I keep remembering this work, seen a week ago. Anyone know why the director chose 2003? (Maybe to do with some real life story? If so, that would make this even more chilling.)
