Crisis In the Castle DVD Review

 A behind-the-tapestry peek at the realities of castle ownership, Crisis at the Castle, makes its North American DVD debut from Athena on August 21, 2012. Shot on location, the series follows the owners of the magnificent Sudley Castle, Burton Court, and Kelburn Castle as they are faced with pivotal decisions about how to preserve the family home in the face of rising costs, fading public attention and crumbling infrastructures. Seen on public television in 2007, Crisis at the Castle includes a 12-page viewer’s guide with a map and articles on historic preservation guidelines, gardens of the estates, and unconventional ways to save stately homes, and more ($29.99, AthenaLearning.com).     

These historic houses have stood for centuries. But will they survive the next generation? The owners of three magnificent examples of British architecture—Sudeley Castle, Burton Court, and Kelburn Castle—are faced with this critical question. From small maintenance tasks that snowball into calamities to steadfast resistance from elders, watch as the sons and daughters of these ancestral homes take stewardship of their legacy, setting new plans in motion to preserve these houses for future generations.

EPISODES: Sudeley Castle, Burton Court, Kelburn Castle

BONUS FEATURES: 12-page viewer’s guide with a map and articles on historic preservation guidelines, gardens of the estates, and unconventional ways to save stately homes; Stories of Stately Homes; plus discussion questions and more at AthenaLearning.com  

 Our Thoughts:

You might think that life in a castle would be all romance and old world charm. That's what I used to think, but I was wrong. In Crisis In the Castle, you get to take a peek into the world of castle ownership, and its definitely not all its cracked up to be. Sure, it would be amazing to own one of these ancient structures and especially to be able to trace your families history back through time. But as you learn in this documentary, the financial burdens of maintaining these castles can be overbearing, especially as time and wear and tear are catching up with them. This wonderful documentary follows three British families as they struggle to preserve their heritage for their own families and the rest of the world. Its a wonderful look behind the scenes of castle ownership and a great way to get some amazing tours of three beautiful castles without ever leaving the comfort of your home.

If you love a good documentary as much as I do, than this is the box set for you. You can order Crisis in the Castle for only $29.99 at Acorn Media.


***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. ***