BBC Crusades with Terry Jones "Jerusalem"

1995 · BBC

Crusades is a 1995 historical documentary series presented by Terry Jones . It looked at The Crusades and occasionally used elements of black comedy . Prominent historical figures are depicted by actors wearing masks and costumes, giving the appearance of living artistic images in the style of their original cultures. Emperor Alexios I , for example, appears as a Byzantine mosaic , while European and Muslim figures are brought to life by actors appearing in the style of medieval European, and near eastern miniatures. At times, production is deliberately anachronistic, such as showing the use of 1930s style newsreels by the Church to drum up mass support for the Crusades. 2. "Jerusalem" The second episode covers the hardships encountered by crusaders as they neared the Holy City, including intense heat and starvation. Also the Siege of Antioch and Turkish retaliation.