Genius of Britain

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This intriguing series spotlights several brilliant Brits who have helped to shape our modern world.

Stephen Hawking talks about Isaac Newton. Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins discusses Alfred Russell Wallace and the theory of evolution. David Attenborough profiles botanist Joseph Banks. Geneticist Paul Nurse tells the story of Alexander Fleming, discoverer of penicillin. This intriguing series spotlights these and  brilliant Brits who have helped to shape our modern world. 5 episodes, 4 hrs, 3 DVDs, SDH, viewer’s guide.  
 
"Utterly splendid"—The Observer (UK)

"Brilliant"—The Times (UK)

"Full of fascinating detail"—The Independent (UK)

"Intelligent but accessible"—The Guardian (UK)

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Disc 1
Episode 1:The First Five
A superstar array of modern-day scientists share the history of five polymaths—experts in a wide variety of subjects and fields—who put Britain’s brilliance firmly on the map, united by a desire to understand a comet in the sky.

Episode 2:A Roomful of Brilliant Minds
A second generation of British scientists includes the son of a boat builder, a charismatic risk-taker, an unsung botanist pioneer, and the visionary who kick-started the Industrial Revolution by perfecting the steam engine.

Episode 3:The Lights Come On
Science came of age by the early 19th century, propelling Britain to the future with communications delivered at the tap of a finger, electrical power and light conjured from trial and error, focused experiments, and newly discovered equations.

Disc 2
Episode 4:Out of the Darkness
In the face of war, courage can manifest itself in myriad ways. From the invention of radar to fend off Luftwaffe attacks to the sheer genius that drove wartime code breaking, the British scientific community rose to the occasion, creating technologies that still impact our lives today.

Episode 5:Asking Big Questions
Recent advances probing the secrets of DNA, human nature, and nanotechnology are explored, and Stephen Hawking and Richard Dawkins have a thought-provoking exchange about the future that faces us all.

Disc 3
Bonus disc, Stephen Hawking and the Theory of Everything, about the search for an explanation of the universe.
  • Bonus disc, Stephen Hawking and the Theory of Everything (90) min., about the search for an explanation of the universe
  • 12-page viewer’s guide with articles on myths and science, lesser-known geniuses, the Royal Society, the steady state theory, and a gallery of evolutionary specimens
  • Biographies of the presenters
  • Timeline of British scientific advances
  • Article on Rosalind Franklin
  • More at athenalearning.com
Packaging: Boxed set
Run Time: 236 minutes, plus 90 minutes of bonus programming
Format: Widescreen
Number of discs: 3
Language: English
Subtitles: No
Color or B&W: Color
CC: No
SDH: Yes
Region Code: 1
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Rating: NR
"Utterly splendid"—The Observer(UK)

"Brilliant"—The Times(UK)

"Full of fascinating detail"—The Independent(UK)

"Intelligent but accessible"—The Guardian(UK)