DVD Review: Alexander’s Lost World

Following in the footsteps of Alexander the Great and exploring a region rarely explored on film, Alexander’s Lost World debuts on DVD on June 17, 2014 from Athena, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. Photojournalist and documentarian David Adams leads this extraordinary adventure through Central Asia, journeying 1,500 miles along the Oxus River, exploring the civilizations that predated the Macedonian conqueror's arrival. Gorgeously filmed on location in Greece, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, among many other sites, Adams’ travels reveal surprising insights about this corner of the world before it was touched by western civilization. Currently airing on select public television stations via APT, Alexander’s Lost World seamlessly blends current events with points of historical interest. The DVD 2-Disc set includes six episodes, plus a 16-page viewer’s guide with a map and timeline of Alexander’s conquests, an interview with presenter David Adams, deleted scenes, and more (276 min., plus bonus, $49.99, AcornOnline.com).

Throughout the wild highlands and war-torn plains of Afghanistan and Central Asia lie tantalizing traces of the ancient world. It was here, 2,300 years ago, that iconic hero Alexander the Great became the first European to rule the East. In a major turning point in human history, he crossed into Asia in 334 BCE, crushed the Persian Empire, and discovered a highly developed eastern civilization along the banks of the mighty Oxus River.

In this six-part series, photojournalist David Adams explores the footprints of this ancient world, today almost entirely erased. Following the course of the Oxus, he takes us on an extraordinary journey, from Greece in the West to the approaches to India in the East, along the way passing through Taliban territory and some of the most inhospitable terrain on earth. Suspecting that Alexander’s conquest may not have been all that it appears, Adams sets off on an amazing quest to separate fact from fiction and reveal what this world would really have looked like to Alexander’s eyes.

In a career spanning nearly a quarter century, David Adams has been a widely published photojournalist, a war correspondent, and an acclaimed documentarian whose numerous films include Journeys to the Ends of the Earth.

Episodes: Explorations on an Ancient Sea; Mother of All Cities; Alexandria on the Oxus; City of the Lady Moon; Land of the Golden Fleece; The Source of Civilization

Bonus Features: Deleted scenes (42 min.) and behind-the-scenes photo gallery; 16-page viewer’s guide with a map; a timeline of Alexander’s conquests; articles on Alexandria, the empire after Alexander, and Afghanistan; and an interview with presenter David Adams; biography of Alexander the Great

Street Date: June 17, 2014               SRP: $49.99               UPC: 0-54961-2235-9-6

DVD 2-Disc Set: 6 episodes – Approx. 276 min., plus bonus – Documentary - SDH Subtitles

My Thoughts

Alexander's Lost World brings you on a magical journey over two thousands years into the past, to a time when Alexander the Great conquered the East. This series allows you to journey along with photojournalist, David Adams, as he follows the trail Alexander left behind all those years ago. There are six thrilling episodes included in this box set.

Exploration on the Ancient Sea: This one starts out in Greece where Adams explores the myth of the Argonaut before searching for a lost waterway that may have carried Alexander the Great.

Mother of All Cities: Adam searches in Bactria, known Taliban territory, for clues to the past.

Alexandria on the Oxus: Adams searches for proof of Alexander's lost city and questions whether his men may have been carpenters.

City of the Lady Moon: A Greek amphitheater and other Greek ruins in Afghanistan may provide proof of Alexander's triumph.

Land of the Golden Fleece: Alexander is compared to Jason and his quest for the fleece.

The Source of Civilization: Adams visits a tribe called the Wakhi who claim to be descendants of Alexander.

This documentary is not only exciting from a historical standpoint. It's also a unique opportunity to pass through Taliban areas rarely shown by the media. I enjoyed every aspect of series, and came away feeling like I've learned something about both the past and the present.  Even the bonus footage gives you lots of extra, interesting tidbits. Highly recommended!

If you would like to check out this amazing documentary for yourself, you can order it online at Acorn Media for only $49.99