WLIW21 PBS

December 1st, 2008
From the Director’s Cut: Lessons Learned

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

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

bookmark    print    comment/s (4)

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (22 votes, average: 4.82 out of 5)
Loading ... Loading ...
Tags:

Comments

4 comments

#1

For a year and a half before our Expedition Denis and I prepared - reading everything we could get our hands on about Marco Polo - and the people , places along his route , it was a daunting task to say the least , we considered ourselves intelligent , educated men - but the disciplines involved in Polo,s story are incredibly vast - So besides the history of a large and diverse part of the planet , We had to immerse ourselves in the geopolitical reality of the day - we learned the basic’s in as many of the languages we would encounter, focusing on Turkish knowing it was spoken over a large portion of asia all the way from Turkey into western China - Religion, flora and fauna, geography - This is not to mention sponsorship and logistics ect…ect… Then for the next two years, we took his book and used it as our guide and called it our Bible! That’s when the real learning began - not only about Marco Polo and his world, but the greater world around us all, and most of all about ourselves !!! Since we,ve returned not one day has gone by that I have n’t learned something new ! The fact is that “Walking in the footsteps of Marco Polo” is a never ending journey of learning and self discovery !!!!!!!!!!

#2

I’ve had the pleasure of traveling the world, exploring many differrent cultures, and experiencing mind blowing adventures. My exploration took place in 1999 -I still reminisce about the trip daily!

Watching the journey of Joseph and Denis gave me chills, as they tested many boundries, negotiated their freedom and pressed forward with determination! I came across this documentary by accident, and was glued to the screen wondering what was next, and how it would end. Kudos to Denis & Joseph on their amazing journey in Marco Polo’s footsteps!!

#3

I’ve been to many remote places in the ” third world ” But only for a few weeks or months at a time .The idea of being away from home ,friends, and family for Two years as these to young men , in there quest to retrace Polo’s journey is Heroic to say the least ! It’s hard to imagine
that level of dedication , considering all the hardships they must have endured , Denis and Francis are truly leftovers from another age !

#4

What dashing, romantic figures you cut! I think I fell a little in love with you. Such an adventure and what beautiful work you did with the documentary. Thank you for letting us live this vicariously with you. :)

Post A Comment




Your Privacy Matters
Please note that the WLIW21 editorial staff reserves the right to not post comments it deems to be inappropriate and/or malicious in nature, as well as edit comments for length, clarity and fairness. No solicitations or advertisements will be allowed. Users may link to other Web sites relevant to discussion, but most often links to commercial Web sites will not be permitted.

Submit

    • After watching this, I feel like you guys are my lifelong friends. Wonderful adventure story by two terrfic guys...thank you!!
      Robert Nardoza | 20Nov09 | More
    • My husband and I sat before the tv mesmerized. I want to see it again and again and share it ...
      June Colangelo | 20Nov09 | More
    • I just caught the program on channel 13 NYC.THANK YOU for broadening our horizons- vast dry plains, shaggy camels, jungles,and ...
      Heather Y. | 19Nov09 | More
    • Just Stunning!!!! Amazing what you two have done. I just saw the show and Iam writting as we speak. I ...
      nadeem | 19Nov09 | More
    • Ahhhh. Feel like I've been allowed to step into Heaven for a moment! Thank you Francis and Denis for the ...
      Cary T. Saccente | 19Nov09 | More
  •  
Order the Book

"It was the best-documented journey of its time, inspiring the imaginations and ambitions of countless adventurers, including Christopher Columbus. Now we, too, can follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo, with guides as vividly exciting and engaging as Marco himself. With both their film and this book Denis and Francis have recreated what Joseph Campbell would have applauded as 'The Hero's Journey.' Come take it yourself and you'll never turn back."
- Bill Moyers
Join us on Facebook