Good concept, poorly executed.

The movie is wildly uneven but lively and timely - in its own surreal way

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

This is the dramatization of the downfall of Atlantis, told as a half documentary, half dramatized movie. This being a severe natural disaster of an earthquake and volcano eruption followed by pyro clastic scorching winds after an eruption on the Greek island of Thera, by Plato called Atlantis.. Though I'm not too found of the use of color filters, theatrical play behavior and blue screen CGI and pompous music, I found this interesting.Asa driving force in the story we both have a love story between two youngsters, Pinaruti and Yishharu, having their marriage at the outbreak. Yishharu feels something's wrong in beforehand, whilst most don't react to the signs of nature. Then there's a narrative voice, which many probably will find irritating. However, this helps out giving the historical facts, of which there are many given. So the film is basically a catastrophe movie, made as we used to, with an addition of the narrative voice.CGI is great to tell a story, however, it's not the best in this film. It's sometimes a bit blurry and an cheap looking. But lots of it it also great, like the pyro clastic storm. Still this doesn't ruin the story telling here. I found the film intriguing, since I wanted to know more about the legend of Atlantis. I think this story fulfilled that mission.We're by the narrator told things about the Menoan society, which was very advanced for it's time, with indoor toilets, and water flushed underground piping, and strong female rights. This is all ruined by an earthquake, which disturbed the magma and makes it possible for a volcano eruption.I wonder he they have found out that there was spilt 5 million tons of magma, turning to pumice stone, and all the dangerous ash, filled with silicon, turning to liquid segment in the lungs of the habitants, still not leaving the island of Thera. Large consequences also for the island of Crete due to tsunamis.

This is one of those TV-movies that are supposed to teach you some history (and other scientific knowledge) by way of dramatizing it. With this kind of productions (the TV-channels of Discovery, National Geographic and History are filled with it), I always wonder what kind of audience they aim at, and if all the effort and costs (big crew, dozens of actors, extensive CGI) are ever payed back. Probably it is, since they wouldn't exist otherwise. But it's still strange, since these movies are neither meat nor fish. I mean, for truly scientifically interested audiences the dramatization will act as a superfluous romantic distraction that can harm the scientific credibility. While people who like a good and solid drama may be irritated by the prominent voice-over, the side-steps to actualities (in this case viewings of archaeological sites and finds) and the abundance of scientific facts, pulling them time and again out-off the storyline.Well, when you've set your mind on the duality of this kind of production, this specific one is actually quite good. The subject of Atlantis (true or fiction? was it really Santorini? what could have happened back then to destroy it?) is involving enough, as are the subjects aside of that: the wonderful Minoan culture and it's wondrous sudden evaporation and the effects of a large scale volcanic outburst. Leave it to the BBC to use all the modern techniques and facilities to the fullest to give you a convincing insight in the historic circumstances and a mind-blowing account of the cataclysmic catastrophe that struck this little island, with it's cascade of disastrous natural, meteorological and chemical effects which were in every way comparable to, and as horrifying as the effects of an atomic bomb. The simple story that is used to bind all this information together is hardly important, but it serves its purpose fine. This is helped by some decent acting, for instance by father-figure Langley Kirkwood and love-couple Stephanie Leonidas and Reece Ritchie. Last two are also a treat for the eye, with Ritchie bringing along an attractive athletic and lean physique. I was less impressed by the central figure of the high-priestess, who looked like Carol Burnett on a bad hair-day, unfortunately without the according acting-abilities. And as someone else mentioned in his review: a pity that they didn't dare to let the women, or at least the priestesses wear the right clothes: namely with their breasts bare; but one can understand that there are some limits to authenticity. I also doubt if the ritual dances of the priestesses were based on any historical research; they all impressed me a bit like cheap and out-dated Mata Hari impressions. But otherwise: nothing but praise! I like this sort of educational dramatizations and this is a truly fine example. Greatly recommended.

...at this dramatized documentary. Unfortunately the dress code of the period was to extreme for the BBC to depict during prime time television, at this overall great-looking documentary. The "real" clothes the Minoan women actually wore, were connected to the worship of the "Mother Goddess" at that ancient matrilineal society. After dressing the women up with the "BBC version" of the Minoan dress code, the religious details are carefully filtered and chosen for the viewer in order to create a presentable version of that society. Considering that, I find the documentary lacking regarding several religious and cultural details. However, in every other aspect this is a great film watch. It has adventure, drama, great acting, good special effects, and it gives a good generic picture of that ancient Greek civilization. I strongly recommend it.