The Life of Leonardo Da Vinci [DVD]

The 2-disc set is immensely satisfying. It arrived earlier than expected, in perfect condition, and turned out to be a complete, unabridged edition of the slightly edited abridged version I had seen broadcast in the U.S. about 1973 under the title, "I, Leonardo", which I had searched for in vain. The series unfolds in five episodes. Disc one has three episodes, disc two has two. The subtitling does not include English subtitles. The extras (in the second disc) include summaries of Leonardo's life (the narrator sounds like Martin Sheen) with clips from the film, also separate overviews of his masterpieces, his inventions, and a comparative Timeline of his life with the life of Michelangelo. I recommend watching the outstanding film "The Agony and The Ecstasy" (Charleton Heston, Rex Harrison) either before or after this series, for the rich introduction to Michelangelo's works featured at the beginning of that film, as well as the series "The Borgias" (Showtime) to further augment an historical understanding of the time, its moral, spiritual and political corruption. Altogether, this disc set of The Life of Leonardo da Vinci is well worth having!

This video set provides a lot of historical perspective on the strange life of Leonardo da Vinci who was without question one of the weirdest people who ever lived.It's difficult to really compare him to anyone else such as other people who are generally considered geniuses today. He seemed to be someone who was good at many things but only wanted to do things that he was interested in and he often left things unfinished.What was unique about da Vinci was the combination of artistic and scientific interests. He seemed to have basically unlimited energy and curiousity.Leonardo was in some ways very fortunate because he was held in the very highest esteem by some rich people. The king of France treated him almost like royality. Here's a guy who would think nothing of sending thousands of soldiers into a human meat grinder but yet he felt that Leonardo was one of the greatest men that ever lived.Leonardo was treated very well by the standards of the day and he always seemed to have money. A lot of these guys he worked for were killers including the guy he put on all those pagents for. That was also the guy who's young ambitious wife died as fate eventually always returns sadness to the cruel and greedy.Leonardo had his hard times also and really never had a home until old age. I think he had a hard time fitting his intense interests into the primitive social structure of the times.Were he alive today da Vinci would most likely be a surgeon or scientist or at least he would try to become these things.Leonardo came close to being burned at the stake for something he would say and get involved in some 500 years in the future. Something that exists outside of time.But fortunately he is remembered for his great spiritual paitings, especially The Last Supper which miraculously has somehow survived after beginning to deteriorate soon after it was finished due to using the wrong types of paiting methods.He tried to create a gigantic oil painting on a wall and he treated the wall like a gigantic canvas. Plato: Apology

This 1970's docudrama has the video texture that came out in the 70's. One can almost instantly feel the graininess even when the film presentation is of a higher quality, which this one is. Our image was very good but doesn't have that pristine silken feeling one finds today or in many films that date back to the 1940's.The sets and costume designs are authentic and a visual treat. The subject matter is more visual and entertaining than thought provoking. The film treads on the 'safe' side of da Vinci's life. But when a man has such complexity and genius, even that is enough. We never found ourselves board or wanting to take a break. It is entertaining enough to watch in one sitting, of course with the usual breaks.Everything da Vinci like everything Shakespeare or Beethoven or Mahler should be viewed. When historical figures are presented to the Modern audience, some of the spaces will have to be filled in with educated probabilities and possibilities. This is very much the case with da Vinci. Much of his life is unknown. I think the producers of this film did a credible job in fleshing out da Vinci's life. I would have liked more in-depth footage on his intellectual and sexual life, even if only speculation, as long it is credible and relevant to what made this great man tick and bleed and exceed.I highly recommend this to all lovers of da Vinci and those who simply want to learn and open their minds. One word of caution though. On disc 2, episode 4, there is a slight glitch. The disc freezes and has to be manipulated to fast forward. It's a minor problem. It is a manufacturing problem, as it was on both our original and replacement copy, in the exact same place. I, however, would not let this minor glitch stop me from purchasing and enjoying this dvd.

2011 version. This is the AUTHENTIC one. The 2011 has Mona on the front; the other one is the 2003 ( with the colorfully dressed actor on the front. Both are Questar; But the 2003 is the “creatively” edited (by Questar) one that you should AVOID at all costs. Except maybe <$0.01. 😊. (They still seem to be selling it- very bad idea.) The VHS and dvd’s With full info say either 4 hours 30 minutes or 270 minutes (same). Only thing to go on is a 2011 date (near as I can tell. I think all the VHS’s are the original version ( with dubbed English). I can’t imagine how bad the 2003 Questar directed version is, but I don’t want to pay to find out. ( anyone want to sell their copy real cheap ?) It does sound like a dreadful hatchet job.Get the RIGHT ONE ! ! Send the terrible one back right away ! !

This is the best docu-drama that I have ever seen. The recreations of Leonardo's works and his world take you through time and space to live beside him, while the program's guide presents the details of this extraordinary genius to you. It is educational without being ponderous and it is certainly worthy of use in classrooms. I loved the sets and the quality of the presentation of the works of Leonardo. It makes one wistful for all that did not survive of his life's works. What has the world lost?!

Excellent product - well-acted with insightful storyline.

good quality Europian favorite! Love it!