Egypt: beyond the Pyramidsby Anonymous

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March 26, 2007: Egypt: Beyond the Pyramids, a two-DVD set, will enthrall both connoisseurs and neophytes. Superb photography, expert comments of Egyptologists, computer animation, and, last but not least, British actor Peter Woodward make this series stand out among the productions dedicated to Ancient Egypt. Woodward makes Ancient Egypt accessible to a wide audience by keeping his coverage both erudite and entertaining. In Volume I, Woodward first guides his audience through sites such as Karnak’s Great Temple, Queen Hatshepsut’s Deir el-Bahri, and the Temple of Abydos. Woodward complements his comments with the insights of Egyptologists to bring back to life these sites in all their splendor. Woodward then explores KV5, the largest tomb in the Valley of the Kings, under the guidance of Kent Weeks. KV5 still has some secrets to reveal to Weeks and his team because of the enormous task that the clearing of the mausoleum represents. In Volume II, Woodward first digs into the daily life of Ancient Egyptians. Woodward walks on site in the company of Egyptologists who provide viewers with a glimpse in the daily activities of ordinary Egyptians during the Antiquity. To the credit of the authors of this production, the life of ancient Egyptian women gets unusually extensive coverage. Woodward then delves into the spiritual beliefs of Ancient Egypt, which continue to fascinate. The quest for immortality is inseparable from human nature. To summarize, Egypt: Beyond the Pyramids ranks among the best productions ever made for a broad audience. This production is an invitation extended to spectators to go (back) to Egypt and to view these splendors and their creators for themselves.