#1,340. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (2002)

Directed By: Rolf Forsberg

Starring: Pierce Brosnan





Trivia: This hour-long documentary is narrated by Pierce Brosnan









The Great Pyramid of Giza. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia. The Tomb of Mausolus at Halicarnassus. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. The Colossus of Rhodes. The Pharos, or lighthouse, of Alexandria. These marvels of antiquity constitute what are today referred to as the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and while only one (the Pyramid at Giza) is still standing, the legacies of all seven have been passed down through the ages, and remain as awe-inspiring today as they were to the conquerors and historians who first visited them thousands of years ago.

Narrated by Pierce Brosnan, The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World travels to the areas where these structures once stood, and, relying on historical re-enactments and digital effects, recreates all seven, displaying them in all their glory. Along with these trips into the past, we also hear from scholars and engineers who, over the course of this hour-long documentary, offer their own theories on how these spectacles were constructed in the first place. The video then draws comparisons between these ancient structures and modern marvels, such as the Statue of Liberty and the glass Pyramid outside the Louvre in Paris, showing that, even if the wonders themselves have disappeared, their influence lives on. 

Being something of a history buff, I found The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World a fascinating watch, and especially enjoyed the segment dedicated to the Temple of Mausolus, which, for me, has always been the most amazing of the group (it’s from this Wonder that we get the modern term Mausoleum). Looking at it objectively, however, The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World might prove tedious for those who don’t share my interest; the recreations are nothing spectacular and the various digital effects were obviously done on the cheap. But if you’re like me, and enjoy documentaries that explore the ancient past, then this is a movie you’ll definitely want to check out.