The Ascent of Man
The 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.
Cast: Jacob Bronowski
Season 1
13 episodes
1. Lower Than the AngelsThe programme follows the changes in Man as he marches out of Africa, through desert and ice age, to leave the print of his hand in a dark Spanish cave.CC50minMay 5, 1973- 2. The Harvest of the SeasonsAs the ice retreats and the land flowers, Man the hunter turns to agriculture, domesticating plant and animal, imposing his will on the wild wheat and the horse.CC50minMay 12, 1973
- 3. The Grain in the StoneThe wandering nomads cease their migrations and settle in townships, learning new skills.CC50minMay 19, 1973
- 4. The Hidden StructureThe programme follows the beginnings of chemistry: from the techniques of ancient metallurgy in China and Japan to the mystical searchings of the alchemists.CC50minMay 26, 1973
- 5. Music of the SpheresMathematics is a way of describing the world that we see, hear and touch.CC50minJun 2, 1973
- 6. The Starry MessengerFrom the earliest times, Man has looked outwards from the earth and wondered at the movements of sun, stars and planets. The programme hinges on the crisis of the scientific conscience in the person of the astronomer Galileo and in the rich cities of Venice and Rome, the scenes both of his triumph and his punishment.CC50minJun 9, 1973
- 7. The Majestic ClockworkThe universe of Newton, clear, English, stately, like the music and the great buildings of his century ticking away with a fine clockwork mechanism, wisely regulated by laws. Then the quizzical world of Einstein whose direct truth and questions could turn the dignified universe upside-down in the interests of a clearer understanding. We ride with Einstein on his beam of light to end our journey in our own century.CC50minJun 16, 1973
- 8. The Drive for PowerAs political revolutions shook France and America, another quieter, yet more profound restructuring was taking place in Britain - the Industrial Revolution.CC50minJun 23, 1973
- 9. The Ladder of CreationHow did life begin on earth? Dr Jacob Bronowski recounts the adventures of Alfred Russell Wallace, and how they triggered off the ideas of Charles Darwin.CC50minJun 30, 1973
- 10. World Within WorldDr Jacob Bronowski tells the story of the men and ideas that gave concrete expression to the invisible, intangible structure that lies beneath all matter.CC50minJul 7, 1973
- 11. Knowledge or CertaintyDr Jacob Bronowski considers how the great achievement of physics in the 20th century has been to show that absolute certainty, in science or outside of it, is beyond our grasp.CC50minJul 14, 1973
- 12. Generation Upon GenerationDr Jacob Bronowski follows the history of genetics, from the lonely experiments of Gregor Mendel to the discovery of the structure of DNA. Should we see human sexuality as a gift?CC50minJul 21, 1973
- 13. The Long ChildhoodFrom his home, Dr Jacob Bronowski takes stock of man's complex and often precarious ascent, drawing on experiences from his own lifetime.CC50minJul 28, 1973
The Ascent of Man
The 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.
Creators and cast
- Created by
- Jacob Bronowski
- Cast
- Jacob Bronowski
- Studio
- BBC TV, Time Life Films
Maturity rating
Not yet rated.
Audio languages
English
Where to watch
Stream
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