i came to this web page expecting to be able to re-watch this BBC produced TV series only to find that the only video content available were other individuals from around the world attempts to highlight the main shortcoming of the original series by visiting new places or revisiting sites in the original series and by implication showing the real cultures and natural beauty that Dan Cruickshank had missed in his journey, i must say that i find this fact disappointing because the original was designed as a small snapshot of the many cultural and artistic marvels that exist in our world according to one mans (highly qualified) opinions, OK so Dan Cruickshank may take up too much screen space during the episodes and maybe his whispering was annoying to some viewers(Perhaps, it was just Dan showing his reverence in his own 'Little englander' way, although the bare handed handling of 2000 year old manuscripts is unforgivable) but overall this is a great introduction to the treasures that exist in our world and if as another reviewer stated you have no knowledge of this worlds varied artistic and architectural treasures then this is a great place to start! Dan Cruickshank is obviously not popular with our Australian brethren but perhaps if they weren't so caught up in being so anti English culturally they would be able to forgive him of being English, sounding English, working for a British company, breathing etc etc. OK so the BBC may have fallen from its once envied position of documentary excellence but at least my nation hasn't made 25 years of 'Home and Away'. Now available for all those unable to forgive the nasty British imperialist pigs - Bindy Urwins - Around the world in 80 treasures.
12 Reviews
Pity about Dan Cruikshank
LFTSmith1 August 2006
Visually, the series was very impressive. But sadly, it was let down by the choice of presenter, whose over-affable, opinionated and affected style (reminiscent of Peter Snow) seems a good example of the BBC's dumbing down of otherwise interesting programmes.
given the limited time devoted to the subject matter, there was a little too much padding in the form of self-praise for embarking om such an enterprise. Constant stressing of time constraints seemed to ignore the fact that these were largely self-imposed. Better preparation by the BBC's own staff on the spot might haver avoided embarrassing gaps like the treasures of the Forbidden Palace.
But turn the sound down and you have a visual feast.
given the limited time devoted to the subject matter, there was a little too much padding in the form of self-praise for embarking om such an enterprise. Constant stressing of time constraints seemed to ignore the fact that these were largely self-imposed. Better preparation by the BBC's own staff on the spot might haver avoided embarrassing gaps like the treasures of the Forbidden Palace.
But turn the sound down and you have a visual feast.
Fantastic series - but where's the DVD?
iainrr-116 April 2005
Fans of "The Fast Show" may find Dan Cruickshank a little familiar (think "Gideon Soames" ;-) but his infectious enthusiasm is what makes this show. His selections of 80 of the finest man-made "treasures" around the world is eclectic, sometimes personal, sometimes moving and always interesting.
I've already had to add a few new places to my "to see" list, and it was wonderful to see him visit some of the places I've already been (in a slightly egotistical way!).
Of course there is some overlap with other globe-trotting telly people - most notably Michael Palin (who must have been everywhere by now - pretty annoying for other presenters, I should think). But Dan's fresh approach means that even when visiting the most well-known locations he manages to involve the viewer and often provide a new angle. Of course a series like this is always going to have to be fairly superficial - it'd be pretty long otherwise - but this is a more scholarly approach than most.
Just a shame that (at time of writing) there seem to be no plans to bring it out on DVD? Strange, for what was obviously a major and expensive series to produce.
I've already had to add a few new places to my "to see" list, and it was wonderful to see him visit some of the places I've already been (in a slightly egotistical way!).
Of course there is some overlap with other globe-trotting telly people - most notably Michael Palin (who must have been everywhere by now - pretty annoying for other presenters, I should think). But Dan's fresh approach means that even when visiting the most well-known locations he manages to involve the viewer and often provide a new angle. Of course a series like this is always going to have to be fairly superficial - it'd be pretty long otherwise - but this is a more scholarly approach than most.
Just a shame that (at time of writing) there seem to be no plans to bring it out on DVD? Strange, for what was obviously a major and expensive series to produce.
Outstanding series
geoff-spurr26 March 2021
This is a remarkable series, repeated by the BBC in 2021, and just as good as when first broadcast. Dan Cruickshank is one of the great documentary makers/presenters, every one of his series and one off programmes has been outstanding, his knowledge is second to none among architectural historians and he is excellent at communicating it. I can't understand all the hate directed towards him in other reviews. Presenters should be themselves, Dan happens to be upper class, his enthusiasm is infectious, and he only makes programmes about subjects he has great knowledge and interest. This series is remarkable as it was filmed as one nearly six month trip, a huge investment by the BBC and personal challenge for those making the series. Many of the treasures are the obvious usual suspects but I also saw many places I'd never seen before on TV and that helped to make the series special.
Excellent series
arnoldawson10 April 2021
Couldn't resist watching this repeat even though I saw it some years ago. The locations are amazing and it is such a treat to have a presenter who speaks clearly rather than the usual mumbling or clipped speech that is so common on television today, as is the unashamed use of thick regional accents that make a lot of otherwise fascinating documentaries unintelligible.
Superficial drivel doled out by a pompous poseur
drslop10 February 2007
Is this some kind of surreal joke? A clueless, maladroit windbag tours "his" selection of world "treasures" and is locked out, finds the treasure invisible in mist or bestows such comments as "absolutely stunning" (on the Easter Island statues!) while endlessly complaining about scheduling problems. World civilisation is here made stupendously dull presented by someone who achieves the difficult feat of being extremely superficial and tediously rambling at the same time while being apparently unable to get off-screen long enough for viewers actually to see or appreciate the "treasures" he is so earnestly and witlessly wheezing about. So shallow and brief is the treatment of each treasure here that if you blink, you will miss one or two -- but, sadly, you will not escape the whittering of the truly appalling Dan Cruikshank whose confidence in his own narrow and banal "Little England" aesthetic judgements is such that he needs no actual expertise in casting his pearls before us. This seems to be the same absurd Cruikshank who had a tiny flash of fame with his extravagant, apparently unsubstantiated claims downplaying the scale of the looting of the Baghdad Museum, asserting that the Museum was a legitimate military target and charging that the looting was "an inside job". (Not very surprisingly, Iraq does not figure as a location for any of these treasures.) In short, this bloke seems to be a rather irritating idiot and, putting it kindly, not exactly authentic in his excessively self-conscious eccentricity. Watch this at your own risk -- good earplugs or "MUTE" would certainly help. Highly recommended for gullible people with absolutely no prior knowledge of history or culture or anyone who is interested in seeing how very low the BBC documentary has now fallen.
Brilliant BBC-arts expert on world class world tour
KoenraadVISSERS21 April 2005
The presenter may at first sight appear a bizarre character, just listen to him and you won't find it hard to believe my (if you haven't yet enjoined his previous productions) that he constituently proved his worth as an exceptionally knowledgeable expert on architecture and art in general, from all periods, as well as the bigger -cultural and general- picture of historical context. Here the lucky devil is allowed to travel from country to country (several are providing more then one stop) in pursuit of 80 exceptional works of art, all of which he selected as personal favorites for various reasons, which are usually well explained, although the format simply does not allow for anything like the thoroughness he usually displays in other, much more specific BBC series. Still, a remarkable combination of obvious musts and far less known choices, some of which are likely to be intriguing discoveries for most of you, as they were for me. As usual, he BBC provides reliable quality - I doubt whether anyone can challenge any fact (appreciation as such is of course to subjective ever to be 'reliable'). The enviable perk of a dream tour around the world is not wasted on such an exceptional connoisseur and born story teller - if only other stations could learn from the BBC how to pull of such stunts with panache and hardly ever failing success!
Below Expectations!
allagraphics13 February 2007
I was waiting with great expectation to watch this series. The promos on the ABC seemed like it was going to be a great watch. Sadly the presenter seemed to whisper his way through the Machu Picchu segment. (Was he frightened he may scare the animals away?) My husband who is somewhat hearing impaired couldn't understand a word and we finally put on the text. By the time he had got to Chan Chan I was nodding off and my husband was fast asleep. So much for what I thought would be an interesting and educational trip. Don't know if i'll bother with the rest of the shows next week!!! Can learn more by getting a good encyclopedia and a look on Google Earth.
Most but not all.
yanshida17 July 2007
I sat riveted throughout most of the programmes. Granted I did find Mr. Cruickshanks whispering a bit tiresome at times, but then I'm a bit deaf. I have a hearing aid, but I can't stand wearing it. One thing, either Mr. Cruickshanks or his researchers didn't to their homework was his visit to the Summer Palace in Beijing. The Yiheyuan, the Summer Palace he visited, wasn't destroyed by Anglo-French forces. It was the Mingheyuan - the one that contained remarkable buildings done in the European style. However, I relished Mr. Cruikshanks' comment about how frustrating it is to deal with Chinese officials. I bet when the powers-that-be in Beijing watched this series, the veins on their foreheads must have practically exploded with rage. Here is a top-notch series showing the treasures of the world. Most officials and governments allowed the BBC easy access, but no, some asinine official in Beijing, did his utmost to deprive the BBC of this courtesy. In the end, he cut off his nose to spite his face; this in a world where face is everything.
Places are interesting, photography is good, the presenter makes viewing unbearable
margp10 March 2007
I have visited many of the places in 'Around the world in 80 treasures' and really loved my travels. However, Dan Cruikshank has trivialized the history, culture social systems and architecture of these places to present an imperialist, pompous 'search for treasure' -(whatever that is supposed to mean). The idea of a treasure (in mysterious places, like the East) is a totally Victorian imperialist British concept and completely inappropriate for discussing the cultures of the places that this idiot visits.
He is an ill-informed waffler and a complete opportunist who hasn't even bothered to do adequate research into the places he visits - I doubt if he has much interest in knowing about these places. Rather the program is just about him and with his dramatics and animations he steals from these extremely interesting places to direct attention to himself. For example there is no need to emphasize the drama of the markets area of Calcutta through dramatic gestures, there is enough going on there already. So why doesn't he just let us enjoy seeing the place and tell us a few well researched facts, instead of forcing us to look at him?
I think Dan Cruikshank is shameful and should be an embarrassment to the BBC - and to the ABC who present his antics. The only way I can bear to view this program is to turn the sound off - even then I'm forced to see his ridiculous gestures as he dominates the screen. Watching this program is an exercise of frustration and I won't be punishing myself again.
He is an ill-informed waffler and a complete opportunist who hasn't even bothered to do adequate research into the places he visits - I doubt if he has much interest in knowing about these places. Rather the program is just about him and with his dramatics and animations he steals from these extremely interesting places to direct attention to himself. For example there is no need to emphasize the drama of the markets area of Calcutta through dramatic gestures, there is enough going on there already. So why doesn't he just let us enjoy seeing the place and tell us a few well researched facts, instead of forcing us to look at him?
I think Dan Cruikshank is shameful and should be an embarrassment to the BBC - and to the ABC who present his antics. The only way I can bear to view this program is to turn the sound off - even then I'm forced to see his ridiculous gestures as he dominates the screen. Watching this program is an exercise of frustration and I won't be punishing myself again.
Who is this guy?
jonrichco17 March 2007
Watched "Around the World in 80 Treasures" for the first time tonight - as I am just back from Cambodia, and heading for Tajikistan. Dan Cruikshank seems to me to be a complete charlatan. While he picks some interesting places for his 80 treasures (eg, this evening Samarkand and Bukhara), I was appalled at his treatment of the scripts and artifacts of the sites he visited in Iran. Hasn't anyone told him that it is totally unacceptable for him to rub his greasy fingers over the 2000 year-old scripts? What sort of model is this for the rest of us? In Cambodia, the restoration of Angkor Wat is proceeding well. They now have rope barriers to keep people half a metre back from the hieroglyphs etc. In the main Angkor, I saw not one person reach over to touch the carvings. How come 10,000 tourists at Angkor Wat are more culturally aware than Mr Criukshank?
Great idea spoiled by awful presenter
bootlebarth24 June 2010
Do people of tenderer years than me know about the curate's egg? A polite young clergyman, entertained at breakfast by his bishop, was asked about his stale egg. It was 'good in parts', said the curate, remembering the shell.
Around the World in 80 Treasures is 'good in parts'. How could it be otherwise? A crew spends months travelling the world to present wonderful things made by man, ancient and modern. Of course there has to be a mix. Some treasures are new, others are old. Some are enormous, others are tiny. Think of a contrast and you'll find it.
The bad parts are when presenter/writer Dan Cruickshank appears, speaks and gesticulates. He is an embarrassment of the highest order. Can't he voice words except in a breathless whisper? Why does every sentence have to be punctuated by unnecessary pauses? Is he incapable of speaking without making irritating hand gestures every few seconds? Why choose a presenter who can't even pronounce 'treasure' properly?
The choice of treasures hardly matters. The series includes things and places that everyone has heard of (Angkor Wat, Petra, Granada...) and a smattering of oddities (VW beetle, modern chair...). Many of them are astounding, but as soon as the the viewer begins to marvel the idiotic presenter intrudes.
When Cruickshank is absent his series provides wonderful images. As soon as he appears, any magic vanishes. My rating is an average of at least 9/10 for the choice of treasures, and at most 1/10 for the execrable way in which they're presented.
Around the World in 80 Treasures is 'good in parts'. How could it be otherwise? A crew spends months travelling the world to present wonderful things made by man, ancient and modern. Of course there has to be a mix. Some treasures are new, others are old. Some are enormous, others are tiny. Think of a contrast and you'll find it.
The bad parts are when presenter/writer Dan Cruickshank appears, speaks and gesticulates. He is an embarrassment of the highest order. Can't he voice words except in a breathless whisper? Why does every sentence have to be punctuated by unnecessary pauses? Is he incapable of speaking without making irritating hand gestures every few seconds? Why choose a presenter who can't even pronounce 'treasure' properly?
The choice of treasures hardly matters. The series includes things and places that everyone has heard of (Angkor Wat, Petra, Granada...) and a smattering of oddities (VW beetle, modern chair...). Many of them are astounding, but as soon as the the viewer begins to marvel the idiotic presenter intrudes.
When Cruickshank is absent his series provides wonderful images. As soon as he appears, any magic vanishes. My rating is an average of at least 9/10 for the choice of treasures, and at most 1/10 for the execrable way in which they're presented.
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