Beyond short films, filmstrips and CD-ROMS presented in class, there will also be five  films and two videos to be viewed outside of class.   If you are unable to attend the showing, you may take the video  from the library reserve and view it.

"The Roman City" (video) Two thousand years ago, the Roman Empire linked Western Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa into a single, giant commercial and political unit that stayed mostly peaceful for two centuries.   The Romans built cities in the lands they conquered in order to spread their civilization.
    Through a combination of documentary footage and animated story sequences, ROMAN CITY examines how cities helped maintain the Roman Empire.  The animated segments tell the story of the construction of a fictional Roman city in the newly conquered territory of Gaul, visualizing both the ingenuity of Roman technology and the resistance of the local inhabitants, the Celts. (Hosted by David Macaulay) (60 minutes) (Friday February 14 from 3:00-4:00 or Sunday, February 16 from 4:00-5:00 )

"The Crusades" (video) analyzes the reasons behind the Crusades, describes the first three Crusades, and tells what later developments in Western Europe were influenced by the experiences of the Crusades. . The video includes graphics, illustrations from the time and footage of the locales. (60 minutes) (Monday, March 10 from 4:00-5:00 or view on own before class on March 11)

Le Moine et la Sorcière (film) A  suspenseful drama revolving about Etienne de Bourbon, a 13th century Dominican friar who, sent by the Pope to seek out heretics, arrives in a small French village.  There he discovers Elda, a beautiful and mysterious forest woman who  performs ancient healing rituals and understands nature's secrets.  As an inquisitor, Etienne sets out to investigate these practices. It is the confrontation between two sets of beliefs, between ancient customs and religious dogma which forms the basis for this moving and beautiful film.  Directed by Suzanne Schiffman.(98 min.) (Sunday, March 16  from  4:00-6:00)

Joan of Arc (film) In 1428, France and England had been at war for nearly a century.  In  a small village in Lorraine a young peasant girl is inspired by God to drive the enemy from France and crown the Dauphin in the Cathedral of  Remis.   With great courage, she gains an army of believers and leads them to numerous victories on the battlefield.  But, a counterplot is at work as a sordid truce is signed with the English frustrating Joan's efforts to rid France of her enemy.   In a twist of fate, she becomes  a political prisoner and is tried as a witch by an ecclesiastical court.  Forced into confession of heresy, she is turned   over to the English and burned at the stake. (Staring Ingred Bergman and directed by Victor Fleming) (100 min.)(Wednesday, March 19 from 3:00-5:00)

La Prise du Pouvoir par Louis XIV (film) Director Roberto Rosselin rejects the idealistic and  psychological views of history for a clear, materialist analysis of the objective, social and economic  phenomena that made Louis XIV "make history." (Friday April 18 from 4:00-6:00 or Sunday, April 20 from 4:00-6:00)(100min)

Ridicule (film) Director Patrice Leconte tells the story of Gregoire Ponceludon de Malavoy, a young provincial nobleman, enlightened but naif, who travels to Versailles to ask the king to support his efforts to drain the marshes on his land which are the cause of the death of so many of his peasants.  At court he discovers a nest of vipers, political intrigue and compromise.  His "bel esprit"(wit) and honorable nature will ultimately save him. (Wednesday, May 7 from 3:00-5:00)

Danton (film) In this powerful historical drama,  Polish director Andrezej Wajda creates stirring portrayals of the political figures involved in the aftermath of the French Revolution.  the film centers on Georges Danton, the popular revolutionary leader, who returns to Paris at a time when the new Republic is in disarray.   Maximilien Robespierre and his allies have set up a monstrous dictatorship, beginning the infamous "Reign of Terror."  In direct opposition to the government and Robespierre, Danton pleads with the people for an end to the bloodshed which violates the spirit of their revolution.  Robespierre eventually has Danton arrested for treason and France's one voice for peace faces the guillotine.(Wednesday, May 14  from 2:45-4:45)

All films will be shown in the LEARNING RESOURCES CENTER in McGraw-Page Library.   When they are not being shown they will be on two-hour reserve at the front desk.