User Reviews

Bettany Hughes is known for her documentaries on ancient Greece. However, over the years she's branched off in a few other directions--in this case the Moors in Spain. In 711, the Muslim Berbers crossed from North Africa into Spain and soon conquered Spain. Over the next almost 800 years, the Christians in the region slowly chipped away at this new Muslim kingdom until it was ultimately reconquered in 1492 and Spain was unified. Hughes not only explains this process but discusses how the Inquisition that followed tended to eliminate all the positive contributions of these Moors--and painting them as ruthless conquerors. However, in this interesting documentary, she discusses the Moors many contributions--such as preserving and adding to ancient Greek teachings, bringing various fruits to Europe, architecture, science, mathematics and literacy. How 'nice' these folks were to the Christian inhabitants was only vaguely talked about, but these clearly were civilized folks--who, ultimately, were removed from Spain in a most uncivilized manner. And, today, many in Spain adhere to the traditional teaching that practically NOTHING positive can be said about the Moors. All in all, I liked the documentary--mostly because it challenges traditional interpretations of history. As usual, Hughes is an excellent host and keeps our interest throughout.

By the way, one seemingly inconsistent thing I noticed from this documentary is Hughes' discussion of the introduction of the Arabic numerical system to Europe. I just recently saw Terry Jones' documentary "The Story of 1" and it claimed that despite them being called Hindu-Arabic numerals, they are, in fact, of Indian origin. He contends that the numerical system eventually made its way west--and erroneously had the word 'Arabic' added to it. I don't know who is right--but I did notice this discrepancy. Both, by the way, are excellent documentaries.

This is a strong, and historically accurate film. We studied that part of history very closely and I don't think I came across English films that told the story in a brief, yet comprehensive way like this. It's funny how extremists are calling it "propaganda" just because it doesn't align with their hate mentality.

A few people may be watching this presentation who may have not known about the history of the Moors in Spain. Most people have had the standard classes in this history. Others may have enthusiastically covered this area for their occupation or possibly just checked on ancestors.

For some people, this presentation tells them what they already know however explaining it differently verifies and enhances their knowledge.

The advantage in having a one-person presentation such as this is that you get that one perspective instead of a hodgepodge of soundbites by various people each with their agenda conflict being and forcing you to choose sides instead of getting a precise picture.

The disadvantage of any one-person presentation is that a few people will feel that facts were left out or this is being politically correct or for some other reason has problems focusing on the fact that this presentation has a particular viewpoint that needs to be taken into consideration.

I have always liked Bettany's video presentations. However, she excels in writing and I suggest that you read Her first book "Helen of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore" to get a better feel of the presenter.

One of Bettany's strong points is her enthusiasm and energy as she points out the different locations where history took place.

Meantime I also learned quite a few new facts to digest.

There are some excellent pictures of places in this presentation. However, the background sound may sometimes be drowned out by what is being said.

You will want to add this to your video library.

This is a well made, yet intentionally misleading propaganda flick, posing as an honest documentary. It is intended to create the false perception that, instead of being invaders who were finally driven out after centuries of oppressive occupation, Muslims were somehow unjustly driven out and their influence erased. Now imagine invading hordes have suddenly taken over your country and suppressed your native cultural and religious ideologies by penalty of tortured death. Then, after centuries, you drive them out. Who wouldn't purge the land of evey trace of their attempted cultural upheaval? Its no conspiracy... They were just oppressive invaders who were driven out. Now its happening again, and propaganda like this is part of the plan.

Biggest problem with this documentary is that it is based on a lie - the lie that the Muslim invaders were not violent and murderous, but were actually "tolerant" of Christianity. The documentary is a broad whitewash of Islam. Far from being a gift to Europe, Islam was then and continues to be an oppressive political ideology of conquest, domination, suppression and elimination of anything that is not based on Islam. The documentary has beautiful videography, but it grossly distorts history. It is true that ancient Muslims brought many scientific innovations to Europe. But is is also true that the Muslim invaders were far from tolerant, peaceful benevolent dictators. This film comports with globalist goals but it is far from truthful. The narrator/historian certainly should know true history and therefore this whitewash can only be seen as an intentional lie.

Why in United Kingdom historins are obsessed with arabizing Spain and denying all the identity of Spaniards? Still hurt by Blas de Lezo? This is one of the worst documentaries I've ever seen. Why isn't there any Spanish historian in the film?

Firstly, here is missed the fact the berbers and moors were indeed invasors when Visigoths let them to pass as allies. They stayed. They conquered and they imposed their religion. In some periods of time, yes, they tolerated Christianism to avoid rebelions, but the truth is that Spanish culture and Arabic-bereber culture collided violently. All of these aspects are missed by the "historians" of this "documentary" who evade to explain how was the social connivance and all they say can be resume in: Arabic-berebers, palaces; Spanish, Inquisition.

The Reconquista is the point at which Spanish Nation borns. Is the destiny that united the whole people. Yes. Spanish accepted the arabic legacy but in the fair measure. Arabians did not invent mathematics nor the architecture and don't need that any laborist, propagandistic or left-positioned reminded us what they did for us: not so much. Spain is christian and we are proud of our past.

I concur there is a tremendous amount of revisionist history here. Why is it the English are such Arabists? The idea the Moors were heralds of peaceful and advanced civilization is laughable. It would nice to watch an accurate and less Arabist version of these 700 years. Even liberal historians contest the idea that Muslims were completely the victims of genocide and expulsion. Had you been Christian and under the thumbs of murderous and violent Muslims how would you feel once you got the upper hand?