GOLD! The History Of Mans Greatest Obsession (2001)(XviD)

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."

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."

Included:

"The Gold Wars," 42:18

Examines the tragic and bloody legacy of the lust for gold.

"Gold Fever," 41:22

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.

"The Stuff of Dreams" 41:07

Volume three of this four-part series on the history of man's relationship with gold centers on its use as currency. From South America to Venice, Rome to England, gold coins were used in financial transactions. In America, the government backed its greenbacks with the gold standard. Archival photographs, journalistic accounts, and scholarly commentary inform the viewer on gold coins of the realms.

"Cold Hard Cash" 41:01

This program is the final episode in a four-part series that chronicles the story of man's fascination with gold. This volume examines stories and legends that fired the imaginations of adventurers and explorers who followed the tales of great wealth to uncharted territories. The Bible alludes to King Solomon's mines; the search for them continues. Archaeologists still seek the treasures of the pyramids, such as those found in King Tut's tomb. In the New World, the Spanish conquistadors were lured to Meso-America and Peru by tales of the fabled city of El Dorado. Archival photographs, film clips, journals, and scholarly commentary are used to illustrate the lengths to which men have gone to satisfy their dreams of lost cities and treasures of gold.

Bonus:

"Sultan's Treasures" 2:36
"South African Refinery" 2:19
"South African Gold Mine" 2:10
"Crafting Gold in Arezzo" 3:00

Typical file specs:

General:

Format: AVI
File Size: 756.58 MiB
Duration: 42mn 18s
Bitrate: 2500 Kbps
Subtitles: None
Encoder: VirtualDubMod 1.5.4.1 (build 2178/release)

Video:

Format: MPEG-4 Visual
Codec: XviD
Bitrate: 1848 Kbps
Frame Rate: 29.970 fps
Scan Type: Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame): 0.241
Display Aspect Ratio: 1.600
Resolution: 640x400

Audio #1:

Format: AC-3
Bitrate: 448 Kbps
Channels: 6 channels
Sampling Rate: 48.0 KHz

Audio #2:

Format: AC-3
Bitrate: 192 Kbps
Channels: 2 channels
Sampling Rate: 48.0 KHz