The Story of India [Blu-ray]

This is my review of the DVD version...repeating here for the Blu-Ray Buffs...
-------------------


I would rate this -10 if possible! It's full of pretty photography a la NGC and stupid interviews of street vendors and equally ignorant, half-knowing people. It's full of personal impressions and gives very little of factual information. less than what could fit in a 30min documentary.

This so called "Documentary" is spectacularly superficial. Hides millions of atrocities that the British caused in south Asia (for example financial frauds with kings, cheatings, forceful conversions by the so called "fathers").
More Surprisingly Mr. Wood does not mention one single freedom fighter from India apart from Gandhi, Nehru and Jinnah!! No Phule, No Gokhale, No Tilak. No Ambedkar. No Netaji. No Azad. No Bhagatsingh, No Lajpat Ray, No Savarkar!!
It completely neglects the important overseas connections of the freedom struggle - like the Gadar party in USA. It neglects role of social reformist movements like Raja Rammohan Roy, Brahmo Samaj, Vidyasagar, Agarkar, Vivekananda, M N Roy and does not even a passing mention Ravindranath Tagore - the first Indian Nobel prize winner and his role in educating Indians.
It does not even mention the role Indians played in First and Second world war.
But very "cutely" it showcases a very "adorable" old historian - whose ancestors worked for British and (hence??) he justifies the British raj in one sentence saying the British gave India its geographical unity!
Thank God, it does not show that the British built the Himalayas for the sake of poor Indians and brought Monsoon with them!
In a very sugar-coated way, the director, claims to love Indian root culture and completely bypasses the large portions of history. Is BBC bent on re-writing Indian history?
Earlier episode 5, completely neglects the Maratha Empire, the Rajput fighters, the Sikh Rebels and Tipu, and the last Mughal emperor who was cheated and forcefully exiled.
It mentions Rani Lakshmibai as "Rani Jhansi" (as if her name was Jhansi!) and cleverly hides what happened to her! (Lord Dalhousie annexed her kingdom with a fraudulent claim saying her adopted son cannot be a heir!)
...and hundreds of other kingdoms that were completely eaten up forcefully by the so called "Queen".
British - barring some glaring exceptions - never treated Indians as even a civilization - forget the vast achievements in literally every field of human activity.
...as for the "united" geographical map, it is torn in three pieces courtesy British. Two of those will perhaps never reconcile and both have already gained Nuclear powers!
Some other examples of British "looting" were the Koh-E-Noor and many historically important pieces and jewelry that lie in London's museums and the reduction in India's share in the World Trade ~23% before British (largest in the world) to less than 1%, the vast number of forceful conversions ! No mention of any of these? I wonder why...
The BBC is trying to completely shrug off the burden of historic blunders that the British people have made, but the world knows better and more than a documentary spanning 200 years of "British efforts of building a united India" as the episodes try to portray!

Having seen two of the six episodes on TV in January, I waited in eager anticipation for the Blu-ray release in mid-April. Well worth the wait, the Blue-ray disk, when displayed on a 1080p wide screen monitor, must be one of the best reasons to buy Blu-ray and HD TV equipment. I have enjoyed the series so much, I've watched it three times during the five weeks since I got it. Anyone with an interest in India will enjoy it on one level or another. Well done!

A great show, but sadly NOT 1080P. It seems PBS spent the money on the DTS HD sound track rather than the video quality. This is apparent when there is fast panning, but over all still very watchable and very informative.

The BBC Production of Ganges is excellent for sure but 'The Story of India' is miles ahead.

First it is a beautifully told historical narrative with Michael Wood as your guide; Second, The photography and use of the colors is jaw dropping; and Third, the soundtrack deserves an award of it's own.

As an avid photographer, I lost track of the award winning 'stills' that I counted watching this production. The first disc is especially dense with fabulously composed shots that make use of HD in every way.

I have most of the BBC productions that have gone Blu-Ray and this is the best to date.

A must have!

This is by far the most comprehensive footage covering the history of India. Recommend purchase to anyone.
HD though is at 1080i which does not make a big difference , Michael Wood is the perfect orator , completely comfortable with the topic and well researched.

I am an Indian and I learnt so many things that I did not pay attention during my history classes !!! But the way it has been compiled and presented is marvellous. This is a very good set and I recommend to every one and especially if you are planning to visit India.

Great job by Michael Wood and crew !!! Hats Off !!!

This series probably cannot be compared with Discovery-of-India/Bharat-ek-Khoj by Nehru/Benegal. But, it has lot of useful information for NRI (non-resident-indian) children living outside.

I got the Blue-ray directly from PBS. I am very happy. My family including 8 and 12 year children, watched it in one go.

As a presenter, Mr. Wood has been well received by my family. The other British presenter, my family liked the most, is Sir David Attenborough.

--

For the most part this is an outstanding series. However, the color seems unatural with a golden greenish color in the sunlit shots which is most of the shots. Not sure if this was intentional but the color does seem off. Anyone else notice this? Amazing that this item is $5 cheaper than the DVD of the same title.

This is a wonderful look at India's history with thorough content and amazing images. If you're the least bit interested in India's history or the philosophies that have come out of it, see this one! Definitely one for the Blu-Ray collection.

The documentary is so colourful and lively that it is definitely worth watching in the HD format.