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'Francesco's Venice : Complete BBC Series' starring Francesco Da Mosto. (StaEAN 5014503214524)

This series is far more than a tourist trap - particularly as guide Francesco da Mosto would rather there were less visitors to his city (to buy less fake glass/carnival masks/plastic gondolas/jester hats)! Francesco is charming, witty and wonderfully insouciant as he presents an informative yet dramatic history of Venice, La Serenissima. He acknowledges its past arrogance and mistakes, whilst laughing at some of the more bizarre traditions (even he isn't sure about the election of the doges), but all the while maintains an awed respect for the stunning architecture and art, engineering and endurance of his home; Francesco is proud to be Venetian, and I only wish I could share the honour.

The lushest and most elegant of Francesco da Mosto's series to date (see also Francesco's Italy - Top To Toe and Francesco's Mediterranean Voyage) this is written and presented by someone who is passionate about his home town and his trading ancestry. It's a history, it's a guide to the architecture, it's a social commentary on modern life in a tourist town. The historical reconstructions are nicely appropriate- generally silent appearances of Italians in the appropriate costume. The direction is superb and there are achingly beautiful zoom shots of the city from on high- setting this unusual city in its context in the Venetian Lagoon. It provides you with a guide to well known and not so well known areas of the city. There are 4 hour long programmes featured on 2 DVDS with English subtitles, but no extras.

Episode 1, Blood, tells of the founding of the initial settlement by people fleeing the incursions of Atilla the Hun. The intricate pattern of islands and underwater sandbanks protected them from invading fleets. The Basilica of Torcello contains magnificent early frescos in the Byzantine style. More settlements were made on the main island by sinking wooden piles into the marsh to act as foundations. We visit the Doge's palace (the elected ruler of the Venetian Republic) and the Palazzo Cadamosto- Francesco's family's original home, now fallen into ruin. As Venice grew in wealth and power as a trading city a sly bit of saint rustling brought St Mark's remains to the city, which adopted his emblem of the winged lion as its own. In 1202, under Doge Enrico Dandolo, a crusade was deflected to attack the Christian city of Venice's trading rival, Constantinople, resulting in the expansion of Venice's empire.

Episode 2, Beauty, explains how the city grew in wealth after the plundering of Constantinople (including the famous Classical bronze horses and some very pleasing stone carvings). Further trade routes opened up after the return of Marco Polo from China (although no one quite believed him to start with). Venice's architectural style developed as a unique fusion between Gothic and the eastern arch. Although the Ottomans seized Constantinople in 1453, Venice courted the new rulers and became viewed as dangerously unchristian by the Papacy. We visit the Fondaco dei Turchi (a lodging and warehouse for foreign traders), the Scalo de Bovalo (a fantastic spiral staircase at the back of one of the merchant's palaces) and the Ca' d'Oro (a palace which was once coated in gold leaf). In order to protect the city's power a vast boatyard was built- the Arsenale. The influence of the new classical architectural style was initially limited to the land gate for the Arsenale. However following the great fire of 1514 it was necessary to undertake a rebuilding programme. Initially the more conservative style of the architect Sansovino was favoured (Library of St Mark). However when part of the library collapsed, Sansovino lost out to the more radical Palladio, who was responsible for the church of San Francesco della Vigna (exterior) and the monastery and church of San Georgio Maggiore. Around this time Jewish people were relocated to a foundry area (the Ghetto). Sadly the flowering of wealth, and the daring of Venice's artists such as Titian and Veronese, was brought to a halt by the plague of 1575, which killed half the population. We see the old plague hospital of Lazzareto Vecchio and the Island of Santalliano, where rich plague victims were buried.

Episode 3, Sex, explains how Venice metamorphosed into the pleasure capital of Europe, despite further plagues and the rise of Venereal disease.Indulgence in gambling and the rise of ladies of negotiable affection was rife, especially at the time of Carnivale. Baroque architecture started to take hold with the construction of Santa Maria della Salute (after another wave of plague). We see the famous Florian's cafe, which originally had an upstairs Bordello. Art became a commodity for the rich indulgent visitors. Canaletto sold his postcard like paintings, and Vivaldi churned out mass tunes so he could sell the dedications to rich patrons. Casanova got about a bit! However although the authorities might have turned a blind eye to tourists, they started to clamp down on the indulgences of their own citizens. We glimpse the Bridge of Sighs, the Ridotto (the gambling house)and the area of San Barnaba (where self-impoverished Venetian nobles ended up). The hospital for rotting syphilis suffers, the Incurabile, was built and the sculptor, Canova, started a line in idealised funeral monuments. Napoleon Bonaparte despised the self indulgent city and invaded and sacked the city after the unwise Venetian commander of the fort of Sant' Andrea sank some French ships. We see the painting of the vision of hell whichthe French army failed to carry away from the church of Madonna de Lorto. The Doge was deposed and the Republic ended and given away to Austria.

Episode 4, Death, explains what happened up to the present day. The poverty and decay of the city was somewhat rallied by another wave of tourists, generally British. Romanticised by Byron, Turner, Ruskin and Dickens, tourists flocked to Venice, and eventually the uniqueness of its isolation was lost when a rail link was built in 1846. Although the British argued about restoration versus modernisation it seems they were more interested in the structure of the place, rather than the day to day lives of its inhabitants. Some iron bridges were introduced by Neville, but his largest structure, the Academia Bridge across the Grand Canal was dismantled and replaced by a "temporary" wooden structure which is still there. The Campanile of St Marks collapsed in 1902 (in the way of many Italian bell towers) and was reconstructed, despite protests from modernists. Mussolini toyed with paving the canals and built a new road bridge. Unwise industrial development of the Italian coast at Marghera and deep canal dredging, caused the great flood of 1966. Money flooded in to preserve the buildings. However Venice is once again a tourist town- only 10% of its inhabitants are Venetians - young people are leaving for the mainland.

One the surface, Venice is supremely beautiful and romantic city- the gondolas, the masked balls and, of course, the canals at sunset. But Venice is really a city created out of adversity, hard trading with the East and naval battles. Thankfully, the balance in this DVD is beautifully trod by our native guide, Count Franceso da Mosta. As you have probably guessed by now, he leaves the tourist trail behind to give an insiders view of the city. From Casanova to Napoleon; the Jewish Getto to the stealing of St Mark's body from Alexandria; the story is enticing and enthralling. And, of course, it makes you want to visit (or return to) Venice.

Whether you just want to enjoy the touristy bits of the city, or find out more about the history, this DVD is perfect capturing of Venice on film.

Francescos Venice
This dvd is absolutely fantastic,I have been to Venice on several occasions and love the place,this dvd is very accurate and explains history of Venice very well,anyone wanting to go to Venice would be better purchasing this dvd as it will give information what Venice is all about.

The best reviews are always those whose author is well versed in the subject ~ seemingly an obvious point but something that is all too often ignored ~ and if the reviewer also loves his or her subject matter with a passion, so much the better.

It would be hard to find a more poetic, seductive reviewer than this super sexy man, who is clearly first a Venetian and second an Italian! Francesco draws the viewer in like an angler teasing a fish until you are well and truly hooked!

I had visited Venice briefly, many years ago but at the wrong time of year ~ high summer (definitely not recommended) without undertaking any pre-visit research (definitely another big mistake ~ it is preferable to research any country but essential in order to really 'get' Venice) and for far too short a time to really form an intelligent opinion on this unique city.

This year, I had the opportunity to return with a group of girlfriends to watch our daughters' choir perform over 4 days. Apart from the concerts/masses in which they were performing, our time was our own. Despite it being mid-May, the weather was atrocious ~ horizontal rain on one day, with only one hot sunny day which, fortunately, was the day we visited the Island of Murano.

Despite all this, having watched Francesco's Venice, I felt, so prepared, so well versed in the city's foundations, history and character, that the weather became (almost!) unimportant.

I would not hesitate to recommend, no insist, as I did with my accompanying girlfriends, that this DVD is a pre-requisite for any visitor to this amazing city. It would certainly be no penance for any woman to watch Francesco da Mosto for 4 hours but I would defy anyone, male or female, young or old, not to be drawn in by his amazing story-telling ability.

Here is Venice during its times of triumph and disaster, health and sickness, all enthralling and captivating to the viewer with Francesco as an attentive and informative guide. Because of his transparent love for his home city, the viewer too, gets drawn into this love affair that is still ongoing.
The mixture of fact and inserts of historical drama, add to the intrigue and, in the best way possible, we begin to understand Francesco's great love of his place of birth.

Only one word of warning, it is rated a 15 for a reason! Pre-vet before showing to any young children as it is pretty sexually explicit in parts!

Enjoy!
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