In the Footsteps of Marco Polo » Video

Watch the Preview

Christiane Wartell — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:59:27 +0000

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MARCO POLO, premiering on public television beginning November 2008 (check local listings), chronicles the journey of two ordinary guys – Denis Belliveau, at the time a wedding photographer, and Francis O’Donnell, an artist and former Marine – as they set out to follow Polo’s historic route. Equal parts travelogue, adventure story, history trek and buddy movie, the 90-minute film weaves footage from the duo’s often perilous voyage with Marco Polo’s descriptions and experiences. Richly enhanced with Belliveau’s award-winning photographs, the program details their highs and lows as they retrace Polo’s path, trying to see what he saw and feel what he must have felt.

Watch the Full Program

Christiane Wartell — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:45:37 +0000

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MARCO POLO, premiering on public television beginning November 2008 (check local listings), chronicles the journey of two ordinary guys – Belliveau, at the time a wedding photographer, and O’Donnell, an artist and former Marine – as they set out to follow Polo’s historic route. Equal parts travelogue, adventure story, history trek and buddy movie, the 90-minute film weaves footage from the duo’s often perilous voyage with Marco Polo’s descriptions and experiences. Richly enhanced with Belliveau’s award-winning photographs, the program details their highs and lows as they retrace Polo’s path, trying to see what he saw and feel what he must have felt.

From the Director’s Cut: The Spice Route

Christiane Wartell — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:25:06 +0000

Denis and Francis retrace Marco Polo’s travels along the Spice Route in India.

From the Director’s Cut: Did Marco Polo Go to China?

Christiane Wartell — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:16:27 +0000

Denis and Francis document descriptions of China that Marco Polo did not reveal in his account of his travels.

From the Director’s Cut: China

Christiane Wartell — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:07:36 +0000

Denis and Francis find that many of the things Marco Polo described in China still exist.

From the Director’s Cut: Balkh

Christiane Wartell — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:02:12 +0000

Watch Denis and Francis follow Marco Polo’s footsteps to Balkh, the former capital of the Bactrian kingdom in modern-day Afghanistan.

From the Director’s Cut: The Valley of the Assassins

Christiane Wartell — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:50:49 +0000

Watch Denis and Francis reach the Valley of the Assassins in northern Iran, the home of ancient Muslim extremists until their decimation at the hands of the Mongol empire in the thirteenth century.

From the Director’s Cut: Adam’s Peak

Christiane Wartell — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:41:01 +0000

Watch as Denis and Francis visit Adam’s Peak, a mountain located in Sri Lanka. It is well-known for the “sacred footprint” near the summit, which in Buddhist tradition is believed to be the footprint of Buddha, in Hindu tradition the footprint of Shiva and in Muslim tradition the footprint of Adam.

From the Director’s Cut: Lessons Learned

Christiane Wartell — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:36:54 +0000

Francis and Denis reflect on the important lessons they learned on their epic journey around the world.

From the Director’s Cut: Marco Polo’s Legacy

Christiane Wartell — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:18:27 +0000

Denis and Francis’ journey proves that Marco Polo deserves his place among the greatest explorers of all time.