The Ascent of Man

The Ascent of Man

1973, Science  -   28 Comments
7.58
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Ratings: 7.58/10 from 67 users.

The Ascent of ManThe Ascent of Man is a thirteen-part documentary television series produced by the BBC and Time-Life Films first transmitted in 1973, written and presented by Jacob Bronowski.

Intended as a series of personal view documentaries in the manner of Kenneth Clark's 1969 series Civilisation, the series received acclaim for Bronowski's highly informed but eloquently simple analysis, his long unscripted monologues and its extensive location shoots.

The title alludes to The Descent of Man, the second book on evolution by Charles Darwin. Over the series' thirteen episodes, Bronowski traveled around the world in order to trace the development of human society through its understanding of science.

Series outline:

  1. Lower than the Angels - Evolution of man from proto-ape to 400,000 years ago.
  2. The Harvest of the Seasons - Early human migration, agriculture and the first settlements, war.
  3. The Grain in the Stone - Tools, development of architecture and sculpture.
  4. The Hidden Structure - Fire, metals and alchemy.
  5. Music of the Spheres - The language of numbers.
  6. The Starry Messenger - Galileo's universe.
  7. The Majestic Clockwork - Explores Newton and Einstein's laws.
  8. The Drive for Power - The Industrial Revolution.
  9. The Ladder of Creation - Darwin and Wallace's ideas on the origin of species.
  10. World within World - The story of the periodic table.
  11. Knowledge or Certainty - Physics and the clash of absolute knowledge, the oppressive state, and its misgivings realizing the result of its terrible outcome.
  12. Generation upon Generation - Life, genetics, and the cloning of identical forms.
  13. The Long Childhood - Bronowski's treatise on the commitment of man.

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Randell Mugleston
Randell Mugleston
8 years ago

Not all is bad in TV-land, however; even in the midst of an ocean of meaningless and inane fluff, television has at times managed to fulfill its early promise of bringing knowledge and learning to a mass audience. Sometimes through government-mandated regulation, sometimes through the simple desire of a few wise individuals to raise the standard a little.

vicoilsteems
vicoilsteems
8 years ago

Because knowledge, science, history,factual information,reality has been hijacked by extremist right wing corporatism class warfare ideologues who have perfected and fine tuned the fascism of 1920s, 30s Italian and German governments to implement fascism in America, fascism 101 for the neo-conservative ideology of western neo-liberalism disaster capitalists to dismantle democracy in America and around the world, using the same techniques and propaganda that the Italian and German fascist used to brainwash the masses, racism, xenophobia, religion, bigotry, hate of government, and the dumbing down the population to breed the extremism and ignorance that is needed to divide, and pit the common poor and working classes against each other, neutering the power of the people while the mega-wealthy and corporations take over the government, lie cheat, steal, rob the American people with biggest transfer of wealth and treasure in the history of America while then also perpetrating the largest scam/hoax on them and the world with 9-11 to justify the end of the rule of law, human rights, with the never ending war on terror, a blank check for a war against the freedoms and civil liberties of civilian individuals and populations of democratic governments and the militarization of governments worldwide with the goal of the mega-wealthy and corporations elite oligarchs to have a NWO police state clamping down on any dissent.

With the fraudulent war on terror, nation governments and their military are obsolete threats, the corporate takeover of the worlds nations and their sovereign governments by the mega-wealthy, single individuals, and groups of people are the new threat to the NWO.

Any, factual information, truth or, reality that that educates the common working class to discuss, protest, question, criticize or fight back against the neo-liberalism economic policies of the mega-wealthy's class-warfare attack, is quickly labeled liberal bias, conspiracy, communism, socialism, and now terrorism.

Fascism breeds and perpetuates greed selfishness hate and corruption. The US is now the worlds #1 fraudulent democracy and fascist state in the history of the world, wrapped in the American flag, yesterdays democratic glories and accomplishments, and carrying a cross.

AJ North
AJ North
8 years ago

One of the all-time greatest productions ever to grace television, this extraordinary series is as relevant today as it was when originally released in 1973.

One of the last true renaissance men, Dr. Bronowski speaks to the viewer through the lens of the camera as if face to face, extemporaneously from his vast and wide-ranging knowledge. The anecdotes he shares of people he knew and worked with (especially from the Manhattan Project) are both moving and powerful.

A veritable cornucopia of the history and philosophy of science, together with cultural anthropology, world history, and ethics and morality, this series is a must-see (the book of the same name, recently reissued, is a virtual transcript, and a worthwhile addition).

Each episode (fifty minutes) is a treasure. Episode 11, "Knowledge or Certainty," however, is in a class by itself -- and should be required viewing.

The latest DVD incarnation greatly improves on the sound, which was problematic even in the original broadcast (as all of the filming was on-location).

Highest recommendation.

3monkeys
3monkeys
9 years ago

Why can't a network like Natgeo, Discovery, History Channel, etc show this instead of the endless teabilly crap they show now?

Seth
Seth
10 years ago

So good! This whole series is a gem.

The_Common_Potato
The_Common_Potato
10 years ago

Totally top telly.

Christian Klinckwort Guerrero
Christian Klinckwort Guerrero
11 years ago

With NASA's Space stacion, it would reflect humanity in the Vatican's policy to appologiese to humanity for what they did to Galilieo Galilei

Christian Klinckwort Guerrero
Christian Klinckwort Guerrero
11 years ago

Does the Vatican has the courage to exress themselfes admiting their big error one of these days?

Faddy Mhapa
Faddy Mhapa
12 years ago

LOVE IT'''''''''........

Epicurus
Epicurus
12 years ago

i just torrented this series the other day. love it

Rob Krumm
Rob Krumm
12 years ago

Episode #11 is the greatest hour of telivision ever created. Required viewing for anyone with a brain or a heart. He was a pioneer in finding ways to teach science - he made wonderful films for kids. This work influenced my life profoundly.

prophis
prophis
12 years ago

cool stuff

thekingbeyondthegate
thekingbeyondthegate
12 years ago

I'm not sure about the stereotype of boring mathematicians. All of the mathematicians I've been exposed to have been interesting.

Sandie Myers
Sandie Myers
13 years ago

I'm so happy I kept an open mind and didn't "86" this just because it was made when I was 5! AGAIN, Thank you Vlatko. Good lookin out!

Dr. Dunkleosteus
Dr. Dunkleosteus
13 years ago

Incredible scope, I really enjoyed this, even if it is dated. The music is great!

David
David
13 years ago

Liberal BBC garbage

Tyler Stanley
Tyler Stanley
13 years ago

Man.. I always wanna see the comments on the new videos but it always takes a couple of days lol.