GOLD! The History Of Mans Greatest Obsession (2001) DVD 1 of 2

GOLD! The History Of Mans Greatest Obsession (2001)

Gold! ventures across the world and through the ages to tell the story of mankind's oldest obsession. It examines every aspect of our complicated relationship with this most precious of metals, from the gilded dreams of conquistadors and 49ers to gold's role in shaping economies and societies.

Visits to world-famous museums showcase the glittering treasures of ancient civilizations, while an extraordinary tour of a three-mile-deep mine in South Africa's Witwatersrand Basin offers a rare, up-close view of workers wresting the timeless treasure from the clutches of the earth.

As this epic documentary vividly illustrates, gold is the stuff that dreams are made of. Originally broadcast on the History Channel, Gold! spans 6,000 years and five continents as it charts the odyssey of "the mineral that has changed the course of history" and man's obsession with this most coveted of assets, which one poet called "a cursed thirst."

Included in this first of 2 DVD's:

"The Gold Wars," examines the tragic and bloody legacy of the lust for gold.

"Gold Fever," is a more accessible introduction to this information-packed miniseries. Gold has played a vital role in civilization. It was first used for adornment and then became an object of worship. It was a crude (and is now a more refined) form of currency. Empires were created and entire cultures wiped out by gold. All of this plays out over a compelling four hours through dramatic reenactments and presentations of archival materials, artwork, contemporary footage, and insightful expert commentary.

It has sparked wars and toppled empires, inspired legends and captivated our imagination. Throughout the course of human history, gold has been sought, mined, treasured and hoarded.

From El Dorado to Fort Knox, Gold! mines the millennia to forge a comprehensive and compelling look at the "king of metals."