The Return of the Dead Army

The Return of the Dead Army () is a 1989 Albanian film directed by Dhimitër Anagnosti based on the acclaimed novel "The General of the Dead Army" by Albanian author Ismail Kadare.
Plot.
At the end of the World War II Italian Colonel Z accompanied by a priest comes back to Albania to search for the General's bones who died during the war.


Willem Jacob Herreyns

Willem Jacob Herreyns (Antwerp, 10 June 1743 – Antwerp, 10 August 1827) was a Flemish painter of history subjects and portraits. He is regarded as one of the last painters in the tradition of the Flemish Baroque and the last follower of Peter Paul Rubens.
Life.
Herreyns was a scion of a family of artists. His great-grandfather was the painter and printmaker Jacob Herreyns the Elder. His grandfather Jacob Herreyns the younger was also a painter. His father Jacob III Herreyns was a painter and decorator. His uncle Daniel Herreyns the younger was a sculptor. He got his initial training from these relatives. Subsequently he studied at the Academy of Antwerp where the prominent history and portrait painter Balthasar Beschey was one of his teachers. The young painter won in 1764 the first prize for painting from life at the Academy. He completed his studies in the same year. A year later he became one of the six director-teachers of the Academy as the replacement of Andries Cornelis Lens who had also been a pupil of Balthasar Beschey. In 1767 Herreyns left the Academy and travelled.
Upon his return to Belgium in 1771 he went to live in Mechelen where he got married. He was appointed as a director of the local drawing school. This school was renamed 'Academie van beeldende kunsten' (Academy of Visual Arts) in 1772 and was placed under the protection of Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine, the then governor and de facto sovereign of the Austrian Netherlands. He taught a few arts subjects in Mechelen and worked on many commissions. He was offered a position by the Academy of Brussels but despite the attractive salary offered he decided to remain in Mechelen.
After invading the Austrian Netherlands in 1792, the French abolished the existing school system and as a result, Herreyns lost his academic position. Following the creation of central schools by the French, Herreyns returned to Antwerp in 1795 to become a teacher of drawing at the central school of the department of Deux-Nèthes. In 1797 he saved 328 paintings from the churches and monasteries that had been ordered closed by the French occupiers. Many of these paintings had in fact been stolen. He worked on the return of Rubens' paintings "Our Lady with the parrot" and "The Madonna surrounded by Saints".
In 1800 he was invited to become together with Balthasar Paul Ommeganck a teacher of the members of the newly established "Genootschap der Kunsten" ("'Society for the arts'). This was an organisation set up at the initiative of Mattheus Ignatius van Bree and included initially Jan van Bree, Jean-Baptiste Berré. Lambrecht Dentijn, Jan Carpentero, Ferdinand Verhoeven, Peter Iven, Michiel Dierickxen, Jan Peeters and others. The members undertook to meet monthly to show and discuss their works and enjoy the tuition of the older generation of painters such as Herreyns. At the end of 1800 the pre-existing artist organisation "Konstmaatschappij", which had been established in 1788, was merged with the "Genootschap der Kunsten". The merged organisation would organise an annual exhibition of its members' works. Herreyns served as the chairman of the merged entity.
In 1800 Herreyns was appointed a teacher-director of the former Antwerp Academy, which had been renamed "l'École spéciale de peinture, sculpture et architecture d'Anvers" (Special school of painting, sculpture and architecture of Antwerp). When the school was renamed an academy in 1804, Herreyns could maintain his position which he would hold until his death.
In 1810 he got permission from Napoleon to set up a museum in the former Franciscan monastery in Antwerp. In 1815, 38 of the 63 pictures removed by the French were added to its collection.
His pupils included Hendrik Frans de Cort, Wilhelm Hendrik Franquinet, Jozef Geirnaert, Cornelis & Gerard van Spaendonck, Gustaaf Wappers, and the young Antoine Wiertz.
Work.
Herreyns’ work was very highly regarded in his time. During a visit to Antwerp in 1780, the Swedish king Gustav III admired one of Herreyn's works called "The Purification of the Virgin", then in the Saint-Michael's Abbey. The king immediately decided to appoint Herreyns as his court painter, although in reality Herreyns never went to Sweden. The Austrian Emperor Joseph II also praised his work during his visit to Mechelen and Herreyns painted two portraits of the emperor.
His religious compositions stand in the Rubens tradition, which he had studied initially under his master Balthasar Beschey, who painted in the 17th century Flemish Baroque style. Herreyns received many commissions from religious institutions in Antwerp Province for which he painted large religious paintings. In 1775 he was commissioned by the Jezuits in Mechelen to design a series of floats on the occasion of the celebrations for the thousandth anniversary of the city's patron saint Rumbold of Mechelen. He designed the floats together with local sculptor Pieter Valckx and also designed the triumphal arches. The designs were inspired by the designs of Rubens for the 1635 Joyous Entry by the Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand into Antwerp.
He painted a cavalry for Benedict Neefs in Hemiskem, now in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp.
After his return to Antwerp in 1797 Herreyns mainly painted portraits for which he was highly esteemed.
His educational influence now eclipses his reputation as a painter. Herreyns is considered the last follower of the Flemish baroque tradition founded by Peter Paul Rubens. He was a good colorist (tending towards the dark and red) and a draughtsman with a precise line, but his work shows a certain coldness and lacks originality.
Herreyns' notable works include a "Portrait of the painter Andries Cornelis Lens" (after 1770), "Godfrey, abbot of Tongerlo" (1793) and "John the Baptist in the Desert" (1813). His work can be found in the Sint-Jan Baptist en Evangelist in Mechelen and the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp.


Facing Sudan

Facing Sudan is a documentary film released in 2007. It chronicles the situation in Sudan from independence in 1956, through civil war and the current crisis in Darfur. The narrative of Sudan is told through the eyes of activists from various segments of American society. Brian Burns—a young custodian who traveled to South Sudan in order to effect change there—supplies the arc in the film, and links the various stories together.
The tagline of the film is "Ordinary people can do extraordinary things. Even in Sudan."
The film premiered in March 2007 at the Longbaugh Film Festival in Portland, Oregon. It subsequently screened at fourteen film festivals and won "Best Documentary" awards at the Landlocked Film Festival and the Illinois International Film Festival.
The film was produced, directed and edited by Bruce David Janu. The soundtrack was composed by Tom Flannery and Lorne Clarke.
The film was released on DVD January 8, 2008.
A follow-up to "Facing Sudan" was completed in July, 2008. This short documentary is entitled "Crayons and Paper", tells the story of Dr. Jerry Ehrlich, a pediatrician who has administered to children in conflicts zones across the world. The film exhibits drawings from children in Sri Lanka and Darfur. Like "Facing Sudan", the documentary features an original soundtrack by Flannery and Clarke.


Empire Earth

Empire Earth is a series of real-time strategy video games developed by Stainless Steel Studios and Mad Doc Software, and published by Sierra Entertainment, Activision, and Vivendi. The games in the series are historical RTS games that are similar to "Age of Empires". Rick Goodman, who designed "Empire Earth" and "Empires: Dawn of the Modern World", was one of the lead designers of "Age of Empires". The games use the Titan and Titan 2.0 engine, which was sold after Stainless Steel Studios closed.
Chronology.
The first game of the series, "Empire Earth", was released in 2001. It was developed by SSSI (Stainless Steel Studios), and published by Sierra Entertainment. The game was praised for its in-depth gameplay, and received positive critical acclaim. The 2 million unit sales were enough to spawn an expansion pack and several sequels to the game. The game had 14 epochs in it, which totaled 500,000 years. The game also included 21 nations, from every age and location. It consisted of 4 campaign mode missions which consisted of historic moments based on Ancient Greece and Macedon, England's constant wars with the French including the Norman Conquests of England, the Germans in World War I and II, and a fantasy future scenario involving Russia and their conquest of the world.
Initially, released in 2002, "" was an expansion pack for the first "Empire Earth". The expansion pack added several new campaigns and features to the game, but was received negatively because there were many small bugs that were never addressed by Mad Doc Software. The expansion pack was released in 2002, after the release of Empire Earth but before the release of "Empires: Dawn of the Modern World".
"" was not technically the sequel to "Empire Earth", but it was released in 2003 and sometimes referenced as the spiritual sequel to "Empire Earth". The game was also designed by Rick Goodman and the SSSI team, and had many throwbacks to the first "Empire Earth". "Empires: Dawn of the Modern World" was much more condensed, with only 1,000 years and only nine civilizations. Even so, the game received positive acclaim as a good RTS, but not very innovative.
"Empire Earth II" was released in 2005, two years after '. "Empire Earth II" was developed by Mad Doc Software and published by Vivendi, since Stainless Steel Studios left the project to develop "Empires: Dawn of the Modern World". "Empire Earth II" used revamped graphics and weather effects, but still retained the original feel of "Empire Earths gameplay. The game was received relatively well (about 79% on average according to MetaCritic), a little lower than the original "Empire Earth" and "Empires: Dawn of the Modern World."
"" was released in 2006, and was an expansion pack for "Empire Earth II". The expansion pack added several new campaigns, civilizations, units, and features to the original "Empire Earth II" game. However, the game was received worse than its expansion pack predecessor, and was considered bad for its lack of innovation with the new campaigns it offered.
"Empire Earth III", also called EE3, is a real-time strategy computer game by Mad Doc Software and released by Vivendi Universal on November 5, 2007. However, it was received poorly in contrast to its predecessors.
"Empire Earth Mobile" is a "Civilization"' style TBS developed by Vivendi and published by Wonderphone. It is much smaller than any other titles in the series, with only four epochs and other condensed features.
Reception.
"Empire Earth", the first in the series, was well received by the critics, averaging an 82% overall. "Empire Earth II" did nearly as well as its predecessor, with a 79% average. The expansion packs were given mediocre reviews at best, with "Conquest" averaging 66% and "Supremacy" averaging 61%. "" had a closer rating to "Empire Earth" than anything else in the series, with an 81% average. "Empire Earth mobile" averaged about 77%. "Empire Earth III" was the worst received title of the series averaging only a 50% overall.


The Uprooted

The Uprooted: The Epic Story of the Great Migrations That Made the American People is book about European migrations into the United States by Oscar Handlin. It won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1952.


Peter G. Tsouras

Peter G. Tsouras is a military historian and author. A Greek-American, he served in the United States Army and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He served in armor, military intelligence, and civil affairs assignments. He currently works as a senior analyst with the Battelle Corporation and resides in Alexandria, Virginia. He has written extensively in the field of military alternative history.


Human Weapon

Human Weapon is a television show on The History Channel that premiered on July 20, 2007. The hosts, Jason Chambers and Bill Duff, traveled across the world studying the unique martial arts, or styles of fighting, that have origins in the region.
Each episode usually consisted of a brief introduction regarding the featured martial art, including footage of established fighters sparring. The hosts would then travel to various locations, learning several strikes, blocks, or other techniques valuable to the particular art from various instructors and/or masters. Along the way, they learned about the origins and cultural history of each fighting style. To help the viewer understand the moves the hosts learn, each technique was visually broken down with a motion capture element. Creator Terry Bullman also acted as stuntman for motion capture. After practicing featured aspects of the art, the hosts typically assessed the various skills and their effectiveness. At the end of each episode, one of the hosts would fight a representative of the episode's fighting style.
The show is similar to a later program called "Fight Quest". Lucie Bertaud also had a similar show called Face a Face which was done in France.
The show was cancelled in August 2008.
Human Weapon was the ITF magazine back in the day


Gottlieb Schick

Christian Gottlieb Schick (15 August 1776 – 7 May 1812) was a German Neoclassical painter. His history paintings, portraits, and landscapes are characterized by romantic tendencies. Of these, he is best known for his portraits.
Life and work.
He was born in Stuttgart. He studied from 1795 to 1797 at the Hohe Karlsschule under Philipp Friedrich von Hetsch, a follower of Jacques-Louis David. In 1797–98 he studied under Johann Heinrich von Dannecker, after which he relocated to Paris where he spent 1799 to 1802 in David's studios.
Between 1802 and 1811 he stayed in Rome, where he became an important figure in that city's artistic and intellectual circles. He was an especially good friend of Wilhelm von Humboldt and his family. In Schick's last years, his style of Raphaelesque classicism gradually acquired a romantic orientation. In 1809, he was presented with a special citation by a group of French and Italian artists.
He returned to Stuttgart in 1811, but died there only a few months later, of heart disease.


August Weckesser

August Weckesser (28 November 1821, in Winterthur – 11 January 1899, in Rome) was a Swiss painter, known primarily for history paintings.
Biography.
His father, Johann Christoph Adam Weckesser (1786–1834) was originally from Wertheim. His mother, Elisabeth Furrer (1799–1852), was the niece of Jonas Furrer, who would later become the Bundespräsident. While he was still a boy, the family moved to Oberwinterthur, where his father had taken over the operation of the local mill. At the age of fifteen, he left school to begin an apprenticeship there.
He apparently developed an interest in art because, at the age of nineteen, he began taking lessons from the portrait and history painter David Eduard Steiner. In 1841, contributions from local merchants enabled him to attend the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich. By 1843, he was able to open his own studio.
In 1848, he returned to Winterthur and took lessons from . The following year, he received his first major commission; painting decorations above the bookshelves at the Knabenschule Winterthur (now the ). Always seeking to improve himself, he later made study trips to Antwerp, Paris and Rome, although he remained attached to Munich. He never married.
Much of this was, again, financed by merchants who were sympathetic to the patriotic themes inherent in his work. Among his best known paintings are those depicting the death of Huldrych Zwingli, and begging Agnes of Austria to have mercy on her husband, who was implicated in an assassination plot. The latter may be seen at Schloss Kyburg.
After 1858, Italy served as his second home. He died there in 1899, after suffering from a kidney ailment. Shortly after, a major retrospective of his work was held at the .


King John (play)

The Life and Death of King John, a history play by William Shakespeare, dramatises the reign of John, King of England (ruled 1199–1216), the son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine and the father of Henry III of England. It is believed to have been written in the mid-1590s but not to have been published until 1623, when it appeared in the First Folio.
Synopsis.
King John receives an ambassador from France who demands with a threat of war that he renounce his throne in favour of his nephew, Arthur, whom the French King Philip believes to be the rightful heir to the throne.
John adjudicates an inheritance dispute between Robert Faulconbridge and his older brother Philip the Bastard, during which it becomes apparent that Philip is the illegitimate son of King Richard I. Queen Eleanor, mother to both Richard I and John, recognises the family resemblance in Philip and suggests that he renounce his claim to the Faulconbridge land in exchange for a knighthood. John knights Philip the Bastard under the name Richard.
In France, King Philip and his forces besiege the English-ruled town of Angers, threatening attack unless its citizens support Arthur. Philip is supported by Austria, who many characters believe killed Richard I. The English contingent arrives. Eleanor then trades insults with Constance, Arthur's mother. Kings Philip and John stake their claims in front of Angers' citizens, but to no avail: their representative says that they will support the rightful king, whoever that turns out to be.
The French and English armies clash, but no clear victor emerges. Each army dispatches a herald claiming victory, but Angers' citizens continue to refuse to recognize either claimant because neither army has proven victorious.
Philip the Bastard proposes that England and France unite to punish the rebellious citizens of Angers. The citizens suggest an alternative proposal: that Philip's son, Louis the Dauphin, should marry John's niece Blanche. The proposal would give John a stronger claim to the throne while Louis would gain territory for France. Though a furious Constance accuses Philip of abandoning Arthur, Louis and Blanche are married.
Cardinal Pandolf arrives from Rome bearing a formal accusation that John has disobeyed the Pope and appointed an archbishop contrary to his desires. John refuses to recant, whereupon he is excommunicated. Pandolf pledges his support for Louis, though Philip is hesitant, having just established family ties with John. Pandolf brings him round by pointing out that his links to the church are older and firmer.
War breaks out; Austria is beheaded by the Bastard in revenge for his father's death; and both Angers and Arthur are captured by the English. Eleanor is left in charge of English possessions in France, while the Bastard is sent to collect funds from English monasteries. John orders Hubert to kill Arthur. Pandolf suggests to Louis that he now has as strong a claim to the English throne as Arthur (and indeed John), and Louis agrees to invade England.
Hubert is reluctant to harm Arthur. He releases him furtively. John's nobles urge Arthur's release. John agrees, but Hubert then tells him that Arthur is dead. The nobles, believing he was murdered, defect to Louis' side. Equally upsetting, and more heartbreaking to John, is the news of his mother's death, along with that of Lady Constance. The Bastard reports that the monasteries are unhappy about John's attempt to seize their gold. Hubert has a furious argument with John, during which he reveals that Arthur is still alive. John, delighted, sends him to report the news to the nobles.
Arthur dies jumping from a castle wall. (It is open to interpretation whether he deliberately kills himself or just makes a risky escape attempt.) The nobles believe he was murdered by John, and refuse to believe Hubert's entreaties. John attempts to make a deal with Pandolf, swearing allegiance to the Pope in exchange for Pandolf's negotiating with the French on his behalf. John orders the Bastard, one of his few remaining loyal subjects, to lead the English army against France.
While John's former noblemen swear allegiance to Louis, Pandolf explains John's scheme, but Louis refuses to be taken in by it. The Bastard arrives with the English army and threatens Louis, but to no avail. War breaks out with substantial losses on each side, including Louis' reinforcements, who are drowned during the sea crossing. Many English nobles return to John's side after a dying French nobleman, Melun, warns them that Louis plans to kill them after his victory.
John is poisoned by a disgruntled monk. His nobles gather around him as he dies. The Bastard plans the final assault on Louis' forces, until he is told that Pandolf has arrived with a peace treaty. The English nobles swear allegiance to John's son Prince Henry, and the Bastard reflects that this episode has taught that internal bickering could be as perilous to England's fortunes as foreign invasion.
Sources.
"King John" is closely related to an anonymous history play, "The Troublesome Reign of King John" (c. 1589), the "masterly construction" the infelicitous expression of which led Peter Alexander to argue that Shakespeare's was the earlier play. E. A. J. Honigmann elaborated these arguments, both in his preface to the second Arden edition of "King John", and in his 1982 monograph on Shakespeare's influence on his contemporaries. The majority view, however, first advanced in a rebuttal of Honigmann's views by Kenneth Muir, holds that the "Troublesome Reign" antedates "King John" by a period of several years; and that the skilful plotting of the "Troublesome Reign" is neither unparalleled in the period, nor proof of Shakespeare's involvement.
Shakespeare derived from "Holinshed's Chronicles" certain verbal collocations and points of action. Honigmann discerned in the play the influence of John Foxe's "Acts and Monuments", Matthew Paris' "Historia Maior", and the Latin "Wakefield Chronicle", but Muir demonstrated that this apparent influence could be explained by the priority of the "Troublesome Reign", which contains similar or identical matter.
Date and text.
The date of composition is unknown, but must lie somewhere between 1587, the year of publication of the second, revised edition of "Holinshed's Chronicles", upon which Shakespeare drew for this and other plays, and 1598, when "King John" was mentioned among Shakespeare's plays in the "Palladis Tamia" of Francis Meres. The editors of the Oxford Shakespeare conclude from the play's incidence of rare vocabulary, use of colloquialisms in verse, pause patterns, and infrequent rhyming that the play was composed in 1596, after "Richard II" but before "Henry IV, Part I".
"King John" is one of only two plays by Shakespeare that are entirely written in verse, the other being "Richard II".
Performance history.
The earliest known performance took place in 1737, when John Rich staged a production at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. In 1745, the year of the Jacobite rebellion, competing productions were staged by Colley Cibber at Covent Garden and David Garrick at Drury Lane. Charles Kemble's 1823 production made a serious effort at historical accuracy, inaugurating the 19th century tradition of striving for historical accuracy in Shakespearean production. Other successful productions of the play were staged by William Charles Macready (1842) and Charles Kean (1846). Twentieth century revivals include Robert B. Mantell's 1915 production (the last production to be staged on Broadway) and Peter Brook's 1945 staging, featuring Paul Scofield as the Bastard.
In the Victorian era, "King John" was one of Shakespeare's most frequently staged plays, in part because its spectacle and pageantry were congenial to Victorian audiences. "King John", however, has decreased in popularity: it is now one of Shakespeare's least-known plays and stagings of it are very rare. It has been staged four times on Broadway, the last time in 1915. It has also been staged five times from 1953 to 2014 at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
Herbert Beerbohm Tree made a silent film version in 1899 entitled "King John". It is a short film consisting of the King's death throes in Act V, Scene vii and is the earliest surviving film adaptation of a Shakespearean play. "King John" has been produced for television twice: in 1951 with Donald Wolfit and in 1984 with Leonard Rossiter as part of the BBC Television Shakespeare series of adaptations.
George Orwell specifically praised it in 1942 for its view of politics: "When I had read it as a boy it seemed to me archaic, something dug out of a history book and not having anything to do with our own time. Well, when I saw it acted, what with its intrigues and doublecrossings, non-aggression pacts, quislings, people changing sides in the middle of a battle, and what-not, it seemed to me extraordinarily up to date."
Selected recent revivals.
The Royal Shakespeare Company based in Stratford-upon-Avon presented three productions of "King John": in 2006 directed by Josie Rourke as part of their Complete Works Festival, in 2012 directed by Maria Aberg who cast a woman, Pippa Nixon, in the role of the Bastard, and in 2020, directed by Eleanor Rhode and with a woman, Rosie Sheehy, cast in the role of King John. The company's 1974–5 production was heavily rewritten by director John Barton, who included material from "The Troublesome Reign of King John", John Bale "King Johan" (thought to be Shakespeare's own sources) and other works.
In 2008, the Hudson Shakespeare Company of New Jersey produced "King John" as part of their annual Shakespeare in the Parks series. Director Tony White set the action in the medieval era but used a multi-ethnic and gender swapping cast. The roles of Constance and Dauphin Lewis were portrayed by African American actors Tzena Nicole Egblomasse and Jessie Steward and actresses Sharon Pinches and Allison Johnson were used in several male roles. Another notable departure for the production is the depiction of King John himself. Often portrayed as an ineffectual king, actor Jimmy Pravasilis portrayed a headstrong monarch sticking to his guns on his right to rule and his unwillingness to compromise became the result of his downfall.
New York's Theater for a New Audience presented a "remarkable" in-the-round production in 2000, emphasising Faulconbridge's introduction to court realpolitik to develop the audience's own awareness of the characters' motives. The director was Karin Coonrod.
In 2012, Bard on the Beach in Vancouver, British Columbia put on a production. It was also performed as part of the 2013 season at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, recipient of America's Outstanding Regional Theatre Tony Award (2000), presented by the American Theatre Wing and the League of American Theatres and Producers.
The play was presented at Shakespeare's Globe, directed by James Dacre, as part of the summer season 2015 in the 800th anniversary year of Magna Carta. A co-production with Royal & Derngate, this production also played in Salisbury Cathedral, Temple Church and The Holy Sepulchre, Northampton.
The Rose Theatre, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey hosted Sir Trevor Nunn's direction of the play during May and June 2016, in the quatercentenary year of Shakespeare's death and the 800th anniversary year of King John's death.
The Worcester Repertory Company staged a production of the play (directed by Ben Humphrey) in 2016 around the tomb of King John in Worcester Cathedral on the 800th anniversary of the King's death. King John was played by Phil Leach.


The Third Reich in Colour

The Third Reich in Colour is a documentary series produced by Spiegel TV and shown in English on the History Channel in the UK.
The series consists of narrated clips of rare colour film stock, including images of concentration camp prisoners and Jewish occupants of the ghettos in German occupied Poland.
References.
Spiegel TV description page (English)


Countdown to Doomsday (2006 film)

Countdown to Doomsday is an American documentary television film that originally aired in 2006 on the Sci Fi Channel. The program features various risks to civilization, humans and planet Earth. Hosted by Matt Lauer, the documentary features 10 different scenarios that could bring an end to all life on Earth with interviews by Al Gore, Michio Kaku, Daniel H. Wilson, and others, and clips from various films and television programs.
Scenarios.
The ten doomsday scenarios considered in the film were:


Following the Flag in Mexico

Following the Flag in Mexico (also known in the US as Following Villa in Mexico) is a 1916 silent documentary film about the Mexican Revolution.
Production.
The movie was partly filmed at locations in Mexico, Texas and New Mexico.


Forsaken (novel)

Forsaken is a 2016 historical fiction novel that was written by Ross Howell Jr. It was first published in hardback on February 1, 2016 through NewSouth Books and is based on the true story of Virginia Christian, a black teenage maid that was the first female criminal executed in the 20th century in the state of Virginia.
Synopsis.
The book is narrated by Charles Mears, an eighteen year old reporter covering the trial of Virginia Christian, who is accused of murdering her employer Ida Belote, for whom Christian worked as a maid. Belote was terribly cruel and abusive towards Christian, which culminated in a physical altercation between the two that resulted in Christian striking her boss. She stuffed cloth in her boss's mouth to muffle her screams and avoid detection, as physically harming her boss would result in severe repercussions for Christian, only for this to end up killing Belote. Mears believes that Christian deserves clemency and tries to argue for this from William Hodges Mann, who is currently serving as Virginia's governor. He's unsuccessful and Christian is executed, but Mears' defense of the teen has provoked the ire of white supremacists that continually issue threats against the reporter. During all of this Mears also tries to protect Belote's two young daughters, one of whom is being sexually abused by her appointed guardian.
Reception.
The "Richmond Times-Dispatch" praised Howell Jr.'s research for the novel, which they felt "paid handsomely in this strikingly affecting novel." The "Montgomery Advisor" commented that the book's "fully imagined scenes, characters and themes resonate surprisingly in the supposedly more enlightened world of 2016" and that the "novel's ending may be a bit pat, but readers won't begrudge Howell the hopeful finale." "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution" also reviewed the work, which they found "harrowing".


Immortal Wife

Immortal Wife is a fictional biography written by Irving Stone. The book came out in 1950 and is the story of wife of Colonel Fremont named Jessie Benton Fremont.The book narrates the story of this Colonel who is facing court martial as a result of a dispute between Commodore Stockton of the Navy with the General Kearny of the Army. Paramount pictures had decided to make a film on this book starring Olivia de Havilland, but there is no evidence that it ever went into production.


Bernhard Rode

Bernhard Rode (25 July 1725 28 June 1797) was a Prussian artist and engraver well known for portraying historical scenes and allegorical works. He knew most of the central figures in the Berlin Enlightenment as Friedrich Nicolai and Gotthold Lessing, and the philosophical and political discussions of the Berlin Philosophs informed much of the subject matter of his artistic work. His paintings include several works depicting, in various guises, the King of Prussia Frederick the Great, who ruled the Prussia during much of Rode's lifetime. Rode was director of the Berlin Academy of the Arts from 1783 until his death in 1797.
Family and early training.
Rode was the son of the goldsmith Christian Bernhard Rode and his wife, Anna Sophie. The copper engraver Johann Heinrich Rode and the sculptor Philipp Rode were his brothers. He received his earliest artistic training from his father and his earliest training in drawing from a painter, N. Müller. His four-year education at the studio of the court painter Antoine Pesne, an influential painter in Berlin and Brandenburg, was important to his professional development. During his apprenticeship, he learned to paint portraits. In 1748, Rode began a study trip of several years. He spent 18 months in the studio of Jean Restout and Charles André van Loo (sometimes known as Carle van Loo or Vanloo). He became acquainted with Jean-Baptiste-Henri Deshays and developed his talent and interest in the medium of history painting. In Venice and Rome, he studied the old masters. In 1755 or 1756, he returned to Berlin, and he married Sophie Luise, but the earliest years of their marriage remained childless. Of his earliest years in Berlin, not much more is known.
Career.
Through a life-long annuity from the estate of his father, Rode was financially independent, especially important in the years when was he establishing himself professionally and artistically. Thanks to this annuity, Rode was able to explore techniques, themes and formats on his own time, rather than be constrained by the demands of a patron. He painted and donated the Altar pictures still on view in his parish church, the Marienkirche in Berlin-Mitte. He also portrayed a fictional version of the Emperor of China in a series of paintings.
Because he studied at the Berlin Academy of the Arts, he received instruction from its directors, Blaise Nicholas Le Sueur and Daniel Chodowiecki. Beginning in 1785, he developed health problems, although he remained active until shortly before his death. Upon his death in 1797, he was buried in the cemetery of the Saint Nicholas and Saint Mara parishes, in Berlin's Königsstadt, to which he had donated much of the artwork.
Beginning in 1756, Rode belonged to the Berlin Academy of the Arts, and in 1783 he succeeded Le Sueur as its director. His long-time friend, Daniel Chodowiecki, also a member of the Academy, supported the appointment. He and his colleagues at the Academy hoped to take the Academy in a new direction and suggested a ten-year project entitled "The Soldier King" (German: "Der Soldatenkönig"). The project received support from Frederick II's nephew and heir, Frederick William II. In the course of the project, Rode painted several historical depictions of the Soldier King, Frederick the Great. These were displayed in a special exhibit in 1795. Under the patronage of Frederick William II, Chodowiecki himself took over the important post of the Academy director after Rode's death in 1797.
Place in the Berlin Enlightenment.
Central to the Berlin Enlightenment, Rode was by 1750 part of a learned society of friends, including the publisher and bookseller Friedrich Nicolai, the poet and philosopher Karl Wilhelm Ramler, the "philosophes" Johann Georg Sulzer and Thomas Abbt, and also Gotthold Ephraim Lessing and Moses Mendelssohn. They pursued literary and literary interests often linked with the goal of civil emancipation; at the same time, they were loyal and patriotic to the State of Prussia. The union of the civil enlightenment with the state of Prussia and its king bespoke their underlying national goals, and they also sought to advance German language and literature. Although Rode did not belong to the innermost core of this intellectual circle, he counted many of its members among his close friends, and among them he developed the goals and basis of his artistic work.


Micawber (TV series)

Micawber is a 2001 ITV comedy drama series starring David Jason. It was written by John Sullivan, based upon the character of Wilkins Micawber from Charles Dickens' 1850 novel "David Copperfield", although the storylines were original.
Plot.
Although not explicitly stated the series is probably a prequel, it depicts Micawber where David Copperfield first meets him in London. The first episode the series expands on the back story of Micawber. He had been a qualified lawyer but was struck off when charged with embezzling his father-in-law's company's accounts. Micawber believes he was drunk while doing the accounts and thus wrote them incorrectly through negligence; however, it is later revealed he was drugged by his father-in-law who deliberately altered the numbers on Micawber's accounts to frame him. The rest of the series follows Micawber attempting a series of different careers. These include working for a newspaper and later as butler until the lady of the house seduces him and he is challenged to a duel by her husband. Micawber escapes this by faking his own death. In a subplot, the Micawbers adopt a now orphaned workhouse girl, Alice, despite struggling to support their own family. However, this virtue is rewarded when a dangerous debt collector realises she is his daughter and consequently takes over Micawber's debts.
Production.
Development.
Sullivan had originally written an adaptation of Dickens' novel which was rejected by the BBC in favour of the 1999 Adrian Hodges adaptation.
Broadcast.
It was broadcast in four parts, the first part on Boxing Day 2001 and starred a number of well-known British actors and actresses.


Stuff You Missed in History Class


Light Fantastic (TV series)

Light Fantastic is the title of a television documentary series that explores the phenomenon of light and aired in December 2004 on BBC Four. The series comprised four programmes respectively titled: "Let There Be Light"; "The Light of Reason"; "The Stuff of Light"; and "Light, the Universe and Everything." The material was presented by Cambridge academic Simon Schaffer.
Let There Be Light.
The first episode shows how the desire, by Greek, Arab and Christian scholars to penetrate the divine nature of light led to modern science's origins. The programme explores the contributions of Empedocles; Euclid; Al Hazen; Roger Bacon; Descartes and Isaac Newton.
Greek scholars.
The nature of light, and how we see, was first investigated by the early Greek philosophers. Light seemed to fill all space while allowing a kind of penetration of the world thus offering a clue to the structure of the whole universe. The world was bathed in light but, to bring it within the world of reason, it was necessary to abstract and choose phenomena where light behaved in a special or strange way: Why do faraway objects appear smaller and why do objects change their position and shape when placed underwater?.
Empedocles' idea, that we see objects because light streams out of our eyes and touches them, became the fundamental basis on which mathematicians would construct some of the most important theories on light and vision. Euclid's Optics expanded this idea to make an important breakthrough: We know in our minds that a faraway building is bigger, yet it is possible to position a finger such that our eye tells us they are of similar size. Euclid's elegant solution was that the eye and both the tops of finger and building must lie on the same line – thus the rays from the eye must follow straight lines; the new discipline of geometry could thus make predictions and solve problems of light and optics.
Al Hazen.
Al Hazen earned a living selling his copies of Euclid's Geometry before obtaining the patronage of Al Hakim, 6th Fatimid Caliph in Cairo. Al Hazen was unable to fulfill his task of stopping the flooding of the Nile and was imprisoned. Here he noted a problem with Empedocles's theory: having been in darkness and then suddenly exposed to light, his eyes felt intense pain. It seemed improbable that, if rays were indeed emitted by the eye, this would happen; instead Al Hazen postulated that light rays travelled through space in straight lines and entered our eyes by bouncing off objects. He studied refraction and the symmetry of reflection, producing a seven-volume work which became the new standard text.
Christian science.
In the centuries following Al Hazen's death, the Catholic Church determined to demonstrate its Divine authority and produce a "Christian" knowledge of light. The translation of the work of the Islamic scholars allowed Roger Bacon, in the 13thC, to study and develop Al Hazen's work through experimentation with the distortion and colour effects of light through glass and water
The Light of Reason.
The second episode explores the link between the development of practical tools that manipulate light and the emergence of new ideas. The subject is examined through the work of Tycho Brahe; Galileo; Vermeer; Robert Hooke; William Herschel; Ole Rømer; Charles Darwin and Ernest Rutherford.
Brahe was granted the island of Hven by Denmark's Frederick II. From here he observed a comet in 1577. Tycho's measurements proved it was further away than supposed thus challenging the Church's traditional view that God had created the Earth at the centre of the Universe.
The Stuff of Light.
The third episode charts the discovery of the true nature of light and the subsequent development of modern technology such as electricity and mobile phones. The pioneers are credited as James Clerk Maxwell; Joseph Swan William Armstrong; Thomas Edison; Wilhelm Röntgen; J. J. Thomson; and Max Planck.
In 1847, as a sixteen-year-old, Maxwell was taken to see one of the minor scientific wonders of the Victorian world: A prism made from a special Icelandic crystal.
Light, the Universe and Everything.
The final episode explores the relationship between light, the eye and the mind and the development of technologies such as photography and cinema. The achievements of John Dalton; Benjamin Thompson; Thomas Young; Lord Rayleigh; Joseph Priestley; Thomas Wedgwood; Eadweard Muybridge; Étienne-Jules Marey and Albert Einstein are discussed.
From their knowledge of colour blindness, some Victorian scientists believed they could prove the perceived cultural supremacy of the English by measuring differences of colour perception in different races. The idea was that animals were lower down the evolutionary scale but had better attuned senses than humans. If it could be proved that black people had better responses to light and colour this would be evidence of their inferiority. In 1898 William Rivers, together with a group of Cambridge academics, set off for the Torres Straits to prove exactly this. Rivers used a tintometer but found his original hypothesis was false and that the range of "colour difference perception" of the islanders was little different from that of the English. When Rivers returned to England he spearheaded dissemination of the fact that there was no scientific evidence to support white supremacy.
The programme continues and describes Priestley's discovery of photosynthesis.
DVD release.
The series was released as a region 2 DVD in 2014 .


Blue Murder (miniseries)

Blue Murder is a two-part Australian television miniseries produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in 1995, and is based on true events.
Set in the 1970s and 1980s in Sydney, the miniseries concerns the relationship between controversial former detective Roger "the Dodger" Rogerson and notorious criminal Arthur "Neddy" Smith. Rogerson and his colleagues were accused of giving Smith a "green light" to commit crimes without police interference, with the relationship fraying when Rogerson orders hitman Christopher "Mr. Rent-a-Kill" Flannery to murder Police Officer Michael Drury. The murder of prostitute Sallie-Anne Huckstepp also features.
"Blue Murder" is narrated by the characters of Rogerson, Smith, and Drury, and focuses on the corruption allegations that plagued the NSW Police Force at the time. Rogerson and Smith achieved a kind of celebrity status during the Wood Royal Commission into police corruption.
The screenplay was written by Ian David, who has written extensively on the people and events featured. The miniseries was directed by Michael Jenkins and produced by Rod Allan.
Plot.
"Blue Murder" consists of two 90-minute episodes, which are each divided into three individual "chapters". Each chapter is narrated by one of the three main characters, Neddy Smith, Michael Drury, and Roger Rogerson.
Episode one.
"Green Light" (Narrated by Neddy Smith)
After a botched attempt at a payroll robbery, career criminal Arthur "Neddy" Smith (Tony Martin) is arrested by the NSW Police. He is brutally interrogated by Detective Sergeant Roger Rogerson (Richard Roxburgh), who attempts to coerce a confession from him. However, Smith maintains silence and is eventually released on the understanding that he will henceforth be operating under the paid protection of Rogerson and his colleagues.
Smith initially takes on work as a bodyguard for a prominent heroin dealer, but soon takes charge of his own drug business. One of Smith's underlings, Warren Lanfranchi (Alex Dimitriades), points his gun at a policeman during a traffic stop. Although no round was discharged, Rogerson considers this a violation of the terms of Smith's protection arrangement, and attempts to apprehend Lanfranchi, who immediately goes into hiding. Rogerson instructs Smith to locate Lanfranchi and turn him over. Smith convinces Lanfranchi to meet with Rogerson by reassuring him that he will face nothing worse than a verbal reprimand. Lanfranchi, however, fears that a worse fate awaits him, and he shares this fear with his girlfriend, Sallie-Anne Huckstepp (Loene Carmen). Smith delivers an unarmed Lanfranchi to Rogerson, who shoots Lanfranchi dead.
At the subsequent inquest, Rogerson claims that Lanfranchi had pulled a gun on him, forcing him to shoot him in self-defense. However, Huckstepp complicates the matter by appearing on television to voice her suspicion that Lanfranchi was murdered by Rogerson. To redress the accusation, Rogerson convinces Smith to testify that he had "not" disarmed Lanfranchi before the meeting. Smith reluctantly agrees to this, and Rogerson is consequently cleared of suspicion. Grateful for Smith's testimony, Rogerson and his colleagues award Smith a "green light", meaning that he is permitted to commit crimes in Sydney with full police protection and, at times, assistance. This arrangement also requires that Smith occasionally act as a hit-man for Rogerson and his colleagues.
"Hitting a Blue" (Narrated by Michael Drury)
Michael Drury (Steve Bastoni) is an undercover officer in the NSW police. He receives a tip from an informant that a Melbourne-based drug dealer, Alan Williams (Marcus Graham), has a large quantity of heroin to sell. Drury poses as a buyer and travels to Melbourne to entrap Williams. As the transaction is about to be completed, members of the Victoria Police, who are assisting Drury with surveillance, break cover prematurely and attempt to apprehend Williams, who consequently escapes arrest.
On returning to Sydney, Drury is informed that the prosecution against Williams can proceed, but only if Drury testifies against Williams in open court. Drury is soon contacted by Roger Rogerson, who offers Drury $25000 to change his testimony. Drury politely refuses, claiming that he would be unable to change his testimony without implicating himself. He also advises Rogerson to exercise caution as believes that the NSW police are being investigated by the Australian Federal Police.
When Drury's initial informant in the investigation mysteriously turns up dead, Drury becomes concerned that his own life might be in danger.
"Brotherhood" (Narrated by Roger Rogerson)
Since the Warren Lanfranchi shooting, Roger Rogerson has lost some of his prestige in the NSW Police, and he is transferred to menial desk job. Feeling resentment towards his superiors, he deepens his connections with the criminal world, and becomes proactive in the Drury-Williams case. Williams is determined not to go back to prison, and makes it clear that he is prepared to pay large sums of money to ensure that Drury is unable to testify.
Rogerson consults with Neddy Smith on how best to handle the situation, but Smith refuses to get involved, and advises Rogerson to follow his example. Rogerson instead recruits a hitman, Christopher Dale Flannery (Gary Sweet), as his agent in the matter. Rogerson introduces Flannery to Williams, and Williams agrees to pay Flannery $50 000 to eliminate Drury. Flannery agrees only on the condition that Rogerson also receives $50 000 as an equal partner in the enterprise. Flannery accomplishes the hit by arriving at Drury's house at night and shooting him through his kitchen window.
Episode two.
"Black Angus" (Narrated by Michael Drury)
Christopher Dale Flannery shoots Michael Drury twice, with both rounds hitting him in the torso. However, the wounds are not immediately fatal, and Drury is able to call emergency services before collapsing. He is taken into surgery and the bullets are removed.
The investigation into the shooting is assigned to local detectives under the supervision of the acting head of CIB, Detective Superintendent "Black" Angus Macdonald (Bill Hunter), who is a long-time friend and colleague of Roger Rogerson. When Drury regains consciousness, he tells the investigating detectives that Rogerson had approached him with the offer of a bribe in the Alan Williams investigation, and that he therefore believes that Rogerson will have knowledge of why he was shot. Drury's claims are corroborated by fellow officer Lewis Roussos ([Bogdan Koca]) , who had witnessed the initial contact between Drury and Rogerson. Macdonald is highly sceptical about Drury's accusations. He prevents the investigating detectives from questioning Rogerson, and instead subjects Drury, who is still in intensive care, to a heavy-handed and intimidating interrogation.
Despite Drury's accusations, Macdonald makes a very public display of his faith in Rogerson's innocence by bringing him to an official police dinner, to which all other invitees have brought their spouses. Macdonald is brought before the police commissioner (Bruce Barry), who states that he will not allow Macdonald to protect Rogerson. He informs Macdonald that the Director of Public Prosecutions believes there is sufficient evidence to lay charges of bribery against Rogerson, and instructs Macdonald to charge him. Rogerson is formally charged with attempted bribery and is suspended from duty.
"The Dodger" (Narrated by Roger Rogerson)
Angus Macdonald gives Lewis Roussos a significant promotion in exchange for reversing his testimony against Rogerson, and this leaves the prosecution against Rogerson with a damaging lack of evidence. The prosecution assigns an investigator, Bruce Kerrison (Dennis Miller), to investigate new leads.
At this time, Christopher Dale Flannery has become embroiled in a mob war and is involved in a number of public shootings. Rogerson begins to doubt Flannery's ability to maintain his silence on the Drury shooting, and later discovers that Flannery has boasted to a number of criminal associates that he had shot Drury. One of these associates, Tony Eustace (Marshall Napier), faces legal troubles and is consequently compelled to inform against Flannery to Kerrison. When Flannery becomes aware of this, he locates Eustace and shoots him dead. Rogerson organises a hit on Flannery, confident that the shooting will likely be interpreted as a mob reprisal. Flannery is subsequently shot to death.
Rogerson's barrister, Chester Porter QC (John Hargreaves) advises him that, since the prosecution is now relying solely on Drury's testimony, the best strategy for the trial is to undermine Drury's credibility with the jury. Porter proposes that they argue that Drury, since he is an undercover officer, is skilled in the art of deception, and thereby raise the issue of whether his testimony can be trusted. This strategy is successful and Rogerson is exonerated. However, after the trial, Alan Williams confesses his involvement in the Drury shooting to Kerrison, and the Federal investigators continue to build their case against Rogerson.
"Two Dogs" (Narrated by Neddy Smith)
As the evidence against Roger Rogerson mounts, many of his former colleagues abandon him, but Neddy Smith remains loyal. After Sallie-Anne Huckstepp obtains tapes that implicate members of the NSW Police, Smith murders her to prevent the evidence from surfacing.
Rogerson appears on television to address some of the accusations laid against him. During an interview with Ray Martin (playing himself), Rogerson reveals that Smith has worked for him as an informant. Smith is angered by this, as he feels it will damage his criminal reputation. Soon after, an attempt is made on Smith's life, and he afterward suspects that Rogerson was involved. Rogerson denies involvement, and Smith accepts this. However, Smith criticises Rogerson for the many foolish decisions he has made in the past, including the Warren Lanfranchi and Michael Drury shootings. Nonetheless, the two reconcile and continue to work together, often drinking heavily and becoming increasingly anti-social in their behaviour.
Rogerson is dismissed from the NSW Police, and is later charged by the Federal Police for white-collar offences. Without Rogerson's protection, Smith's "green light" privileges are terminated. Afterward, Smith is involved in a drunken traffic altercation, during which his accomplice stabs a motorist to death. The next day, Rogerson meets with Smith to convince him to surrender peacefully to the police, and reminds him to maintain his silence about their dealings. Smith concludes that Rogerson had, after all, been behind the attempt on his life, but he realises that this was just the nature of the lives they led, and that he feels no resentment towards his long-time friend. Smith surrenders to the police.
As the credits roll, it is revealed that Michael Drury retired from the Police in 2000, Roger Rogerson served three years in prison and Neddy Smith received an indeterminate life sentence for multiple murders, which he is still serving.
Production style.
The style of production was very similar to Jenkins' earlier series "Scales of Justice", particularly the "observational" use of multiple hand-held cameras and the density of semi-improvised dialogue, which was further extended in his subsequent series "Wildside".
Classification.
Given its confronting content, the DVD release was classified MA 15+. An injunction brought during Arthur "Neddy" Smith's appeal against his life sentence saw its broadcast delayed in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory for six years, until 2001. In New Zealand the DVD release was classified R 18+ for graphic violence and offensive language.
Sequel.
 is a miniseries sequel first broadcast on the Seven Network in August 2017, with Richard Roxburgh reprising his role as Rogerson.


Nikolai Tikhobrazov

Nikolai Tikhobrazov (1818–1874) was a Russian painter, known primarily for his history paintings and genre scenes. He studied at the Academy in St. Petersburg under Karl Bryullov, gaining the title of Academician in his own right in 1852.
Biography.
Art education he received, attending classes of the Imperial Academy of Arts (since 1835). The disciple of Karl Bryullov. During his studies, he was awarded a small silver medal (1840), two small silver medals (1841) and one small gold medal (1843). He graduated in 1845, a large gold medal for the work "«Christ expels the merchants from the temple»".
After the Academy went on a trip abroad. In 1847 he settled in Rome. In 1849 he returned to Russia and since then he lived in St. Petersburg, engaged in creative work and taught drawing. In 1852, for the painting "«Woman in Albanian costume sitting at the sewing work»") was awarded the title of academician.
In addition to writing pictures, he was engaged in monumental painting - he painted the iconostasis, created wall panels, and decorative paintings for the interior. He received the title of Professor by rank of the Academy of Arts (1859).
In the 1860s, Tikhobazov owned a photographic workshop in St. Petersburg.
He died on December 14 (26), 1874 in Petersburg. He was buried in the Novodevichy cemetery. The artist's paintings are available in the Tretyakov Gallery and the Pushkin State Museum.


The Soviet Paradise

The Soviet Paradise (German original title "Das Sowjet-Paradies") was the name of an exhibition and a propaganda film, which was organized by the "Reichspropagandaleitung" (Department of Film of NSDAP) of the Nazi Party and was displayed in the larger cities of the Reich and occupied countries: Vienna, Prague, Berlin and others. Its goal was to show "poverty, misery, depravity and need" of the nations in the Soviet Union under Jewish Bolshevist rule and thus to justify the war against the Soviet Union. The accompanying guide for the exhibition noted, "The present Soviet state is nothing other than the realization of that Jewish invention".
The exhibition included entire households with its contents, transported from the Eastern Front, on display.
From 8 May to 21 June 1942, the exhibition was in the Lustgarten in Berlin and according to official information 1.3 million people visited the show. On May 18 a Jewish-Communist resistance group called "Baum-Group" organized an arson attack, which caused only a small amount of damage. At least Herbert Baum and Marianne Baum and over 30 other people were arrested and executed. A short propaganda film was created to supplement the exhibition.


Infamous Murders

Infamous Murders was a documentary television series shown on The History Channel in the U.S. and the U.K. The U.S. edition was narrated by Don Peoples. In the U.K. edition the narrator is uncredited.
Overview.
The 51 episodes of the series were produced by Nugus/Martin Productions Ltd. in 2001. The show was aired on The History Channel in both the U.K. and U.S. In the U.S. the show was included as part of the 154-episode run of History's Mysteries. During the hour long show, two episodes of "Infamous Murders" were presented together.
Each episode was thirty minutes long. Three crimes that share a common theme such as motive, means, or victims are given ten minutes of time apiece. The series concentrated on notorious murders carried out during the 20th century. In the beginning of each show a particularly infamous crime would be examined as an example. The words “Infamous Murders now examines…” would follow and the other three murders would be presented.
The series relied on historical documents for visuals rather than reenactments. Dramatic music was used to heighten the narration along with rostrum shots of photographs, and vintage television/film footage.
Reruns of the show could be seen on The History Channel, the Crime & Investigation Network, Biography Channel, and History International. After History International became H2 in 2011, the rights to the series were discontinued.
A 17 disc DVD version of the series was released in the U.K. as "" by Odeon Entertainment in 2002. Each disc contains three episodes.
Series Credits.
Narrator (U.S.): Don Peoples
Music: De Wolfe Music
Music Advisor: Alan Howe
Production Facilities: Barnes Trust Television
On-line Editor: Joe Turner
editor: Crispin Julian
Rostrum: Frameline
Research Director: George Marshall
Script Writer: Nicolas Wright
Line Producer: Ron Glenister
Producer/Director: Jonathan Martin
Executive Producer: Philip Nugus
Produced by Nugus/Martin Productions Ltd.
Episode list.
"Angels of Death" (2001)
Nurses sometimes kill. Donald Harvey, Orville Lynn Majors, Beverly Allitt
"Bizarre Murders" (2001)
Young Ronald DeFeo shoots his family; mountain-gorilla researcher Dian Fossey is hacked to death; Italian banker is found hanging from a bridge.
"The Cannibals" (2001)
Several killers, both real and fictional, consume their victims. Jeffrey Dahmer, Andrei Chikatilo, Ed Gein
"Celebrity Murder" (2001)
The heir to a railway fortune shoots his wife's lover; Sharon Tate; Gianni Versace; playwright murder.
"Crimes of Prejudice" (2001)
Deaths of civil-rights workers; political and ethnic killings; murders of gay men.
"Cult Killings" (2001)
Cult leaders exert huge power over members, sometimes causing them to kill or to commit suicide. Jonestown massacare, The Order of the Solar Temple, Aleph (formerly Aum Shinrikyo).
"Deadly Doctors" (2001)
A doctor convicted of killing her daughter-in-law may be innocent; a doctor gets away with the murders of 132 patients; a British doctor may have killed as many as 1,000 female patients.
"Deadly Kidnappings" (2001)
The Lindbergh baby's kidnapping and murder; confused kidnappers take the wrong person; a murderer abducts a young heiress.
"Deadly Ladies" (2001)
Women sometimes kill. Madame Fahmy, Ma Barker, Velma Barfield, Karla Faye Tucker.
"Death in the Country" (2001)
Even America's heartland is not immune to violent crime. Billy Cook, Gaston Dominici, Ángel Maturino Reséndiz.
"Evading Justice" (2001)
Several serial killers evade punishment. Green River Killer, Zodiac Killer, Jack the Stripper.
"Evidence of Murder" (2001)
Crucial evidence sometimes brings killers to justice years later. James Hanratty, John List, Brian Donald Hume.
"Final Justice" (2001)
Capital punishment. Robert Harris, Gary Gilmore, Steven Judy.
"From Coast to Coast" (2001)
Traveling murderers roam the country or the world in search of victims. John Eric Armstrong, Ted Bundy, Christopher Wilder.
"Gangland Murders" (2001)
Prohibition-era gangsters Al Capone and Lucky Luciano fight for supremacy; bank robber John Dillinger becomes public enemy number one.
"Hollywood Murders" (2001)
A suicide note accompanies the death of a movie producer; in 1935 a screen idol becomes an apparent suicide; in 1958 a teenage daughter is charged with the murder of an actress's boyfriend.
"Horror on the Highways" (2001)
The anonymity of the highway and the speed of its traffic make it an ideal dumping ground for murderers. Henry Lee Lucas, William Bonin, Joseph Paul Franklin
"Inheritance Killers" (2001)
Money can be the motive for murder. Steven Benson, Jeremy Bamber, Lyle and Erik Menendez.
"Intent on Murder" (2001)
Some killers choose their victims by type. John Wayne Gacy, Gary Heidnik, Kenneth Erskine.
"Killing for Pleasure" (2001)
Random killers Neville Heath, the Hillside Strangler, and the Coed Killer.
"Killing for Thrills" (2001)
Some killers transform their homes into chambers of horror. Lenonard Lake and Charles Ng, Fred and Rose West.
"Lady Killers" (2001)
Serial killers John Christie, Richard Speck, and William Heirens.
"Mass Murderers" (2001)
Rampage killings. Fritz Haarmann, Hungerford massacre, Charles Whitman, Dean Corll
"Model Murders" (2001)
Many young women's dreams of an easy and glamorous modeling career are cut short. Judy Ann Dull, Vicki Morgan, Linda Sobek.
"Murder at the Top" (2001)
Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma; Ernst Röhm; Bishop Juan Conendra Geradi.
"Murder by Decree" (2001)
Murder is sometimes used to silence people who threaten the system. Martin Luther King, Georgi Markov, Joseph Yablonski.
"Murder for Hire" (2001)
Hit-men are paid to kill. Judge Peel, Mother Duncan, Carlos the Jackal.
"Murder for Profit" (2001)
Some kill to satisfy their greed. Dorothea Puente, Michael X, John George Haigh.
"Murder in Cold Blood" (2001)
Some murderers kill for no apparent reason. Juan Corona, Dennis Nilsen, Wayne Williams.
"Murder in High Office" (2001)
Anwar Sadat; Yitzhak Rabin, Hendrik Vewoerd.
"Murdered on Duty" (2001)
When a colleague dies in the line of duty, police officers work tirelessly to catch the killer. Katherine Ann Power, Guenther Podola, Roberts, Whitney & Duddy.
"Murdering Conmen" (2001)
Conmen worm their way into victims' lives and kill them for their cash. Donald Merrett, Roy Fontaine, Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck.
"New York Mafia Murders" (2001)
The struggle for mob leadership leads to an endless cycle of murder and blood feuds.
"Poisoned to Death" (2001)
Poisoners leave clear trails for police to follow. Herbert Armstrong, Graham Young, Judy Buenuano.
"The Poisoners" (2001)
Doctors abuse their positions of trust to administer poison to their victims. Harvey Crippen, Carl Coppolino, Arthur Waite.
"Political Assassinations" (2001)
Politics can be a deadly business. Mahatma Gandhi, Robert F. Kennedy, Aldo Moro
"Political Killings" (2001)
Malcolm X; Sacco and Vanzetti; Harvey Milk and George Moscone.
"Premeditated Murder" (2001)
Some killers plan their actions to the very last detail. Ruth Snyder, murder of John Lennon, Leopold and Loeb.
"A Question of Doubt" (2001)
The disappearance of Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa; a man accused of the 1919 murder of a young Englishwoman is acquitted; a doctor stands trial for the 1954 murder of his wife.
"Red Light Murders" (2001)
The life of a prostitute can be brutal and short. Murder of Robin Benedict, Robert Lee Yates, Richard Cottingham.
"Royal Murders" (2001)
Saudi Arabia's King Faisal; Czar Nicholas II; the 2001 death of the king and queen of Nepal.
"Savage Surgeons" (2001)
Surgeons use their expertise to hide their crimes. H. H. Holmes, Buck Ruxton, Jeffrey R. MacDonald, Marcel Petiot.
"Society Murders" (2001)
Influential friends and expensive lawyers sometimes allow the wealthy to get away with murder. Lord Lucan, Harry Oakes, William Woodward.
"Somebody Killed the President!" (2001)
U.S. presidential assassinations. James Garfield, William McKinley, John F. Kennedy.
"Spree Killings" (2001)
Two young couples become serial killers; a misfit crosses America and murders at least 20 people. Bonnie and Clyde, Starkweather and Fugate, Paul John Knowles
"Stalking the Innocent" (2001)
Some killers select their victims randomly. David Berkowitz, Gerald and Charlene Gallego, Peter Manuel.
"Streets of Fear" (2001)
Some serial killers find their victims on the streets of British and American cities. Peter Sutcliffe, Joel Rifkin, Arthur Shawcross.
"Terrorizing the Cities" (2001)
The Boston Strangler, The Night Stalker, and the Trash Bag Murders.
"Trapped by Forensics" (2001)
Genetic fingerprinting. John Duffy and David Mulcahy, Timothy Wilson Spencer, David Lashley.
"The Trunk Murders" (2001)
Many murderers find that a large trunk is just the right size to hold a human corpse. Ira Einhorn, Tony Mancini, John Robinson.
"Victims of Jealousy" (2001)
Jealousy and obsession can turn violent. Jean Harris, Murder of Dorothy Stratten, Ruth Ellis.
"Women Who Kill" (2001)
Love triangle; female terrorist; female serial-killer.


Sold!

Sold! is an American reality television series on History that premiered on April 11, 2012. The series chronicles the activities of Rick Bryant, owner of Bryant Auction, and his team located in Missouri. Each episode details the process of auctioning, showing the appraisal, acquisition and eventual auctioning of the items.


A Trial in Prague

A Trial in Prague is an 83 min colour documentary film directed by Zuzana Justman, about the Slánský trial, a high-profile show trial in 1952 Communist Czechoslovakia.
Content.
At the height of the Cold War, an infamous political show trial, known as the Slánský trial, took place in Czechoslovakia. In 1952, 14 leading Communists, including Rudolf Slánský, the second most powerful man in the country, were tried on charges of high treason and espionage. Although they were innocent of the charges, they confessed and were convicted. Most of the men were hanged, but three received life sentences. Eleven of the fourteen were Jews.
The film tells the story of the trial and the paranoia of the period through testimonies, trial footage, archival films and extensive documentation. Among the people who appear in the film are Lise London, whose late husband Artur London was one of the defendants and wrote about the trial in a widely published memoir "The Confession;" Eduard Goldstucker, a Kafka scholar and the first Czech ambassador to Israel who was jailed and forced to testify at the trial; and Jan Kavan, the former Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, whose father, also a trial witness, died shortly after his release from prison.
What led these men to their passionate belief in Communism and why did they publicly confess to crimes they did not commit? The film explores the questions, as well as the role of Moscow, the motives for the trial and its anti-Semitic thrust. It deals with the personal stories of the condemned men and the legacy they left their children, who "feel a need to live out the interrupted lives of their fathers".
Comments.
"Sensitive, intelligent & moving … shows the human face of both communism and its victims" - New York Times
"Harrowing and enlightening, a tale that even Kafka would find hard to imagine" (Boston Phoenix).
"Measured, informative…neatly structured" (Variety).
“The film is as compelling for these painful details as for the tough-minded analysis that ties them together.” ( The Village Voice)
“Powerful, important and refreshingly straightforward documentary.” (New York Post)
Sources.
Slánská, Josefa (1969). "Report On My Husband". London: Hutchinson. .
London, Artur (1971). "Confession". USA: Ballantine Books. .
Margolius, Ivan (2006). "Reflections of Prague: Journeys through the 20th century". Chichester: Wiley. .
Kaplan, Karel (1990). "Report on the Murder of the General Secretary". London: I. B. Tauris & Co. .
Heda Margolius Kovaly (1997) "Under a Cruel Star: A life in Prague 1941-1968" ().


Joannes de Cordua

Joannes de Cordua or Johann de Cordua (c. 1630–1702) was a Flemish painter who was mainly active in Vienna and Prague. He is known for his still lifes, peasant scenes, portraits, and biblical themes.
Life.
Very little is known about de Cordua's life and career. From the fact that his wife was aged 33 when she died on 11 April 1667, it is presumed that he was born around 1630. Based on the record of his first marriage it is believed that his birthplace was Brussels.
De Cordua was employed in 1660 in Freising by Bishop . From 1663 onwards, he was recorded in Vienna where he married Catharina Anna Bergmayerin from Wiener Neustadt on 26 July 1663. Catharina Anna died on 11 April 1667, and their daughter, also named Catharina, would die the year after in 1668. About three months after the death of his first wife, de Cordua married his second wife Anna Maria Pfrümerin on 19 June 1667. The couple had one son, Johann Baptist, who was baptized on 6 February 1670.
In 1677 he obtained the "Hoffreiheit" (Court Freedom), which meant he was relieved from the obligation to be a member of the local guild and had the freedom to practise his art at the Imperial court. It also meant a relief from taxes. He worked in Prague for some time, but it is not clear when he returned to Austria.
The time of his death is not clear. Some art historians have posited that he died in Vienna on 17 October 1698. However, this is the death date of a Johann Baptist Cuerda (Kurta) whose relationship with Joannes de Cordua is yet to be clarified. It is known he spent time in Prague for an unknown period. He probably died in 1702. There is a record in Vienna reporting the death of a 'Johann du Cortuova' and stating the time of his death as 1702 but it is not clear whether his death occurred while the artist was in Vienna or on a trip to Prague.
Work.
Joannes de Cordua was a versatile artist who painted still lifes, genre scenes, portraits, and biblical subjects. His contemporary, German art historian Joachim von Sandrart, notes in his comprehensive dictionary of art "Teutsche Academie" that "Johann von Cordua is a skillful painter of still lifes which he could render in a very natural manner".
The genre paintings of de Cordua include typical genre subjects in Netherlandish art such as the "ill-matched couple" (representing a couple of widely different ages) (two examples in the Bavarian State Painting Collections), market scenes such as the (Valtice Castle, Czech Republic), kitchen scenes such as the (Dorotheum Vienna auction of 12 December 2011, lot 202) and scenes of professionals in their workspace such as a (Dorotheum Vienna auction of 16 June 2011, lot 123).
His still lifes include vanitas still lifes, fruit still lifes and still lifes of brass and copper utensils and pots as well as hunting still lifes. Many of Cordua's known still-life paintings fall into the category of vanitas paintings. This genre of still life offers a reflection on the meaninglessness of earthly life and the transient nature of all earthly goods and pursuits. This meaning is conveyed in these still lifes through the use of stock symbols, which reference the transience of things and, in particular, the futility of earthly wealth: a skull, soap bubbles, candles, empty glasses, wilting flowers, insects, smoke, watches, mirrors, books, hourglasses and musical instruments, various expensive or exclusive objects such as jewellery and rare shells. The term "vanitas" is derived from the famous line , in the book of the Ecclesiastes in the Bible, which in the King James Version is translated as .
The worldview behind the vanitas paintings was a Christian understanding of the world as a temporary place of fleeting pleasures and sorrows from which mankind could only escape through the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ. While most of these symbols reference earthly existence (books, scientific instruments, etc.) and pleasures (a pipe) or the transience of life and death (skulls, soap bubbles, empty shells) some symbols used in the vanitas paintings carry a dual meaning: a rose or an oar of grain refers as much to the brevity of life as it is a symbol of the resurrection of Christ and thus eternal life.
Joannes de Cordua's (musée des beaux-arts de Pau) is one of his best-known vanitas paintings. Like most of de Cordua's vanitas still lifes, it includes a skull as one of the key props. The skull is crowned with grain oars which reference earthly distinctions such as a crown as well as symbolise the cycle of life and death, as a grain has to die and put in the earth to grow again. This composition also contains many of the other symbols one can find in vanitas still lifes. The skull seems to hold an empty pipe under its teeth, a reference to the emptiness of earthly pleasure. The statues of the young boy and old man point to the transitory nature of life. The drawing which seems to represent Rembrandt and the medal reference the futility of earthly success and distinctions.
De Cordua also painted a number of still life works which represent copper and tin kitchen utensils. In these works, he shows his skill in rendering the metal surfaces in a naturalistic manner.


Snakes and Ladders (TV series)

Snakes and Ladders is a Canadian television mini-series created by Wayne Grigsby which aired on CBC Television in 2004. The series starred Amy Price-Francis as Shannon Jennings, a woman who takes a job as an executive assistant at Parliament Hill for a cabinet minister named Audrey Flankman (Catherine Disher). The series was shot in documentary style, and was produced by the same people who produced the series "Trudeau".
Awards.
"Snakes and Ladders" was nominated for both Writers Guild of Canada and Directors Guild of Canada awards. It was also nominated for 7 Gemini Awards, with Catherine Disher winning best performance by an actress for her role.


Simon the Coldheart

Simon the Coldheart is a novel by Georgette Heyer.
Plot summary.
In the year 1400 14-year-old Simon the illegitimate son of Geoffrey of Malvallet fends for himself after his mother's death. He forces himself into the service of Fulk of Montlice – his natural father's most hated foe. Simon works his way up from Fulk's Page until he is on equal footing with Montlice's son & heir, his friend Alan. He meets Geoffrey of Malvallet, the legitimate son of Simon's father. Alan, Geoffrey and Simon become great friends both to each other and to the Prince of Wales (later Henry V). When Simon is sent to Belremy, it seems he is faced with an impossible task. First besieging the city, then by attacking the actual city, Simon is able to take the town, but not the castle, where the regal Lady Margaret resides. On finding out that Alan has been taken prisoner, Simon goes up to the castle himself, and after threatening the lady's life, her cousin Victor is forced to make a submission. On hearing this, Margaret declares that she will never submit to the English and tries to fling herself on Simon's dagger. Simon is too quick for her though and takes her prisoner. Later Margaret obtains a dagger, but finds herself unable to kill Simon. When Simon is forced to go away for a few days, Margaret takes the opportunity to flee to a friend, only to find that he has too submitted to the English. Margaret is then kidnapped by Raoul the Terrible. Simon goes to search for her and finds Margaret in the arms of Raoul, struggling wildly. Simon's temper gets the best of him for the first time in his life, and he kills Raoul. Geoffrey, Simon, Margaret and her companion are forced to flee. The men bring them back to Belremy, and out of gratitude, Margaret hands in her submission. Simon tells her that he wants to marry her and she is indignant. However, later, when someone is lurking in the bushes, she runs to warn him as she is afraid that he will be killed. Simon is recalled to the Prince, but Margaret shows him that she wants him to come back. Eventually Simon comes back and Lady Margaret finally agrees to marry him.
"Beauvallet" (1929) follows the adventures of Simon's Great Great Great Grandson Sir Nicholas Beauvallet.
"My Lord John" (1975) covers much the same period (1393–1413). King's Henry IV and Henry V (Simon's friend) also appear in it.


Shoot the Messenger (TV series)

Shoot the Messenger is a Canadian political and crime drama television series that aired on CBC Television from October 10, 2016 to December 5, 2016. The series was not renewed for a second season.
Produced by Hungry Eyes Film and Television, the series stars Elyse Levesque as Daisy Channing, a young Toronto journalist who witnesses an apparent gang-related murder and is drawn into a criminal underworld with ties to the city's political and business elite. The series also stars Alex Kingston as her editor Mary Fowler, Lucas Bryant as her coworker Simon Olendski, and Lyriq Bent as police homicide detective Frank Lutz. Supporting cast members include Hannah Anderson, Ari Cohen, Edie Inksetter, Al Sapienza and Nicholas Campbell, as well as guest appearances by Ed Robertson, Jamaal Magloire and Rick Fox.
Producer and creator Sudz Sutherland acknowledged that the series was indirectly inspired by the Rob Ford video scandal of 2013, but stated that the series is not meant to be interpreted as being about Ford in any literal way.


Loreley (opera)

Loreley is an opera ("azione romantica") in three acts composed by Alfredo Catalani to a libretto by , and others. It premiered on 16 February 1890 at the Teatro Regio in Turin. Based on the German legend of the Lorelei, the opera is an extensive reworking of Catalani's four-act opera "Elda" which had premiered in Turin ten years earlier.
Background and performance history.
The praise received by Catalani's "La falce", a one-act opera written while he was a student at the Milan Conservatory, led to Giovannina Lucca offering him a contract for more operas. Lucca ran the music publishing house Casa Musicale Lucca that had acquired the rights to publish Wagner's works in Italy. "Elda", his first opera for Lucca premiered to critical success in 1880, followed by "Dejanice" in 1883 and "Edmea" in 1886. Neither of them had the critical success of "Elda", but "Edmea" went on to be performed both in Italy and internationally. This prompted Lucca to commission a fourth opera from Catalani. Instead of finding a new libretto, he decided on a complete reworking of "Elda" which had based on the Lorelei myth. Carlo D'Ormeville's original libretto for "Elda" was primarily re-worked by Angelo Zanardini who had written the libretto for "Dejanice", but the new "Loreley" libretto also had input Giuseppe Giacosa, Luigi Illica, and the music critic and impresario . "Loreley" kept the essential story of "Elda" but moved the setting back from the Baltic Sea to the Rhine River of the original myth.
Catalani completed the score of "Loreley" by November 1887. However, in early 1888, Casa Lucca was acquired by Ricordi. Catalani, by this time seriously ill with tuberculosis, fretted that Ricordi was ignoring his work and primarily concentrating on Puccini. Ricordi had published Puccini's "Le Villi" in 1884 and commissioned his "Edgar" for a La Scala production in 1889. The world premiere of "Loreley" finally took place on 16 February 1890 at the Teatro Regio in Turin conducted by Edoardo Mascheroni. The production, with Virginia Ferni Germano in the title role, had sets by Ugo Gheduzzi and costumes designed by Adolfo Hohenstein. It proved to be Catalani's most enduring work, surpassed only by his last opera "La Wally". In the years following the Turin premiere, "Loreley" was performed in multiple Italian cities, including Milan where it was first performed at La Scala in 1905. It subsequently premiered at London's Royal Opera House on 12 July 1907. The first American performance was presented by the Chicago Opera Association at the Auditorium Building in Chicago on 17 January 1919 with Anna Fitziu in the title role.
Performances both in Italy and internationally continued well into the 20th century but became increasingly sporadic. It was revived in 1955 for performances at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, the Teatro Comunale in Reggio Emilia, and the Teatro Grande in Brescia; in 1968 at La Scala; and in 1983 at the Teatro del Giglio in Lucca, Catalani's native city. By the 21st century, "Loreley" had been largely forgotten, although its arias are still sung in recitals, and excerpts from the opera were performed at the 2016 Bard Music Festival. In 2017, the entire opera was performed again in an open air production at the in Switzerland.
Synopsis.
"Setting: the banks of the Rhine in 1500"
Act 1
Walter is betrothed to Anna of Rehberg, niece of the Margrave of Biberich. One May evening while wandering on the banks of the Rhine, Walter encounters the beautiful orphan Loreley and seduces her. He summons his friend Hermann and tells him that he is torn between "lawful and unlawful love". Although Hermann is himself in love with Anna, he counsels Walter to be true to his fiancée. When Walter next encounters Loreley, he tells her that although he loves her, he will marry Anna. He leaves Loreley who has fallen to the ground in a faint. Herman, lamenting that he has yielded his beloved Anna to such a man, appeals to the God of the Rhine and dedicates himself to avenging the wrong done to Anna.
The Nymphs of the Rhine and the Spirits of the Air appear and sing in praise of the River God and the God Thor, the lord of the tempest. Loreley comes to them lamenting her lost honour and asking how she can avenge her wrongs. The nymphs and spirits tell her that she must make herself irresistible which will then torture the faithless Walter. When she asks how she can do this, they reply that she must call upon Alberich, the King of the Rhine, and swear to him the fidelity of a bride. She swears the oath, flings herself into the Rhine, and rises transfigured with the golden hair and the golden comb of the legendary Loreley. The curtain falls as she exclaims: "Walter, I have risen to avenge myself."
Act 2
In the midst of preparations for Walter and Anna's wedding, Hermann warns Anna that she is about to give herself to a faithless man. Nevertheless, the wedding procession to the church begins. At this point the sky begins to glow with a mysterious light. Loreley appears and sings a love song to Walter. He casts Anna aside and rushes into the arms of Loreley crying "I am yours, be mine." Instead, Loreley flings herself into the river leaving Walter on his knees. As Anna falls lifeless to the ground, Loreley reappears on a rock in the river.
Act 3
As the funeral of Anna takes place, the grief-stricken Walter falls into a faint on the shores of the river. When he awakes, he sees Loreley sitting on her rocky throne and hears her singing a love song to him. She is about to embrace him when menacing voices from the depths of the river remind her of her oath to Alberich. She tears herself away from Walter and returns to the rock. In a frenzy, Walter throws himself into the river and drowns as Loreley continues her song.
Recordings.
Individual arias from "Loreley" have been recorded by various singers, including Claudia Muzio, Celestina Boninsegna, Magda Olivero, Beniamino Gigli, and Mario Del Monaco. There are three complete recordings of the opera, originally released on LP and later reissued on CD:


Adolph Menzel

Adolph Friedrich Erdmann von Menzel (8 December 18159 February 1905) was a German Realist artist noted for drawings, etchings, and paintings. Along with Caspar David Friedrich, he is considered one of the two most prominent German painters of the 19th century, and was the most successful artist of his era in Germany. First known as Adolph Menzel, he was knighted in 1898 and changed his name to Adolph von Menzel.
His popularity in his native country, owing especially to his history paintings, was such that few of his major paintings left Germany, as many were quickly acquired by museums in Berlin. Menzel's graphic work (and especially his drawings) were more widely disseminated; these, along with informal paintings not initially intended for display, have largely accounted for his posthumous reputation.
Although he traveled in order to find subjects for his art, to visit exhibitions, and to meet with other artists, Menzel spent most of his life in Berlin, and was, despite numerous friendships, by his own admission detached from others. It is likely that he felt socially estranged for physical reasons alone—Menzel had a large head, and stood about four foot six inches.
Biography.
Career.
Menzel was born to German parents in Breslau, Prussian Silesia (now Poland), on 8 December 1815. His father was a lithographer and intended to educate his son as a professor; however, he would not thwart his taste for art. After resigning his teaching post, Menzel senior set up a lithographic workshop in 1818. In 1830 the family moved to Berlin, and in 1832 Adolph was forced to take over the lithographic business on the death of his father. In 1833, he studied briefly at the Berlin Academy of Art, where he drew from plaster casts and ancient sculptures; thereafter Menzel was self-taught. of Berlin published his first work in 1833, an album of pen-and-ink drawings reproduced on stone, to illustrate Goethe's little poem, "Kunstlers Erdenwallen". He executed lithographs in the same manner to illustrate "Denkwürdigkeiten aus der brandenburgisch-preussischen Geschichte"; "The Five Senses" and "The Prayer", as well as diplomas for various corporations and societies.
From 1839 to 1842, he produced 400 drawings, largely introducing to Germany the technique of wood-engraving, to illustrate the "Geschichte Friedrichs des Grossen" ("History of Frederick the Great") by Franz Kugler. He subsequently brought out "Friedrichs der Grossen Armee in ihrer Uniformirung" ("The Uniforms of the Army under Frederick the Great"), "Soldaten Friedrichs der Grossen" ("The Soldiers of Frederick the Great"); and finally, by order of King Frederick William IV, he illustrated the works of Frederick the Great, "Illustrationen zu den Werken Friedrichs des Grossen" (1843–1849). The artist had a deep sympathy for the Prussian king. In one of his letters to Johann Jakob Weber, he said that it was his intention to represent the monarch as a man who was both hated and admired—simply as he was, in other words, as a man of the people. Through these works, Menzel established his claim to be considered one of the first, if not actually the first, of the illustrators of his day in his own line.
Menzel's fame came from his illustrations of the 18th-century Prussian monarch, Frederick the Great. As well as dedication to adding historical accuracy and attention to detail. Menzel also made sure to do research on the items he was painting. From 1840 and onward Menzel became admirable for his small paintings and drawings. In which he depicted his unconventional ideas.
In the meantime, Menzel had also begun to study, unaided, the art of painting, and he soon produced a great number and variety of pictures. His paintings consistently demonstrated keen observation and honest workmanship in subjects dealing with the life and achievements of Frederick the Great, and scenes of everyday life, such as "In the Tuileries", "The Ball Supper", and "At Confession". Among those considered most important of these works are "Iron Rolling Mill" (1872–1875) and "The Market-place at Verona". When invited to paint "The Coronation of William I at Koenigsberg", he produced an exact representation of the ceremony without regard to the traditions of official painting.
During Menzel's life, his paintings were appreciated by Otto von Bismarck and William I, and after his death they were appropriated for use as electoral posters by Adolf Hitler.
If these historical illustrations anticipated the qualities of early Impressionism, it is paintings such as "The French Window" and "The Palace Garden of Prince Albert", both painted in the mid- 1840s, that now appeal as "among the most freely observed of mid-nineteenth century images." Such genre paintings evidence associations with French and English art. Though he was primarily an excellent draughtsman, art historian Julius Meier-Graefe considered him to be a "proto-impressionist" painter, whose graphic work hindered his painterly potentials. Private drawings and watercolors made of dead and dying soldiers in 1866 on the battlefields of the Austro-Prussian War are unsparing in their realism, and have been described by art historian Marie Ursula Riemann-Reyher as "unique in German art of the time."
Later years.
The paintings which were available to the public garnered recognition not only within Germany, but from the French avant-garde as well: Edgar Degas admired and copied his work, calling him "the greatest living master", and Louis Edmond Duranty wrote of his art:
In a word, the man is everywhere independent, sincere, with sure vision, a decisive note that can sometimes be a little brutal...While being perfectly healthy he has the "neurosis" of truthfulness...The man who has measured with a compass the buttons on a uniform from the time of Frederick, when it is a matter of depicting a modern shoe, waistcoat, or coiffure, does not make them by approximations but totally, in their absolute form and without smallness of means. He puts there everything that is called for by the character (of the object). Free, large, and rapid in his drawing, no draftsman is as "definitive" as he.
Notwithstanding Menzel's professed estrangement from others, his renown entailed social obligations, and in the 1880s the poet Jules Laforgue described him as "no taller than a cuirassier-guard's boot, bedecked with pendants and orders, not missing a single one of these parties, moving among all these personages like a gnome and like the greatest "enfant terrible" for the chronicler." In Germany he received many honors, and in 1898 became the first painter to be admitted to the Order of the Black Eagle; by virtue of receiving the Order, Menzel was raised to the nobility, becoming "Adolph von Menzel". He was also made a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris and the Royal Academy in London. After his death in 1905 in Berlin, his funeral arrangements were directed by the Kaiser, who walked behind his coffin.
Exhibitions (selection).
""Adolph Menzel 1815–1905. Das Labyrinth der Wirklichkeit", Nationalgalerie (National Gallery) and Kupferstichkabinett (Museum of Prints and Drawings), Staatliche Museen zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz, 7 Feb – 11 May 1997
"Menzel. Maler auf Papier"", Kupferstichkabinett (Museum of Prints and Drawings), Staatliche Museen zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz, 20 September 2019 – 19 January 2020
World War II.
Several important works by Menzel were seized, sold by force or under duress during the Nazi period. Some of these have been restituted in the 21st century.
The German Lost Art Foundation lists numerous Menzel artworks on its website.


Impure Blood (film)

Impure Blood (, "Nečista krv") is a Yugoslav historical drama filmed in 1991 and released in 1997.
Background.
"Impure Blood" is an adaptation of the "Nečista krv" novel written by Borisav Stanković. It features Vranje local (and later political activist) Maja Stojanović and actor Rade Šerbedžija in the lead roles.
"Tajna nečiste krvi".
The project was originally a combined adaptation of two Borisav Stanković novels: "Nečista krv" and "Koštana". Turbo-folk singer Ceca was cast as the Roma girl Koštana. However, due to some conflicts, the film could be released years after it was filmed and covering only one of the novels. By 2011, Serbian television network Happy TV bought the entire footage of the film and, starting from 1 January 2012, it was aired as a 12-episode miniseries under the title "Tajna nečiste krvi" (The Secret of the Impure Blood).


Romapuri Pandian

Romapuri Pandian () is a 2014-2016 Tamil historical drama that aired Monday through Friday on Kalaignar TV from 26 May 2014 to 29 April 2016 at 9:00PM (IST) for 543 episodes. The show written by Karunanidhi and Creative director by Kutty Padmini.
The show starred O.A.K. Sundar, Devipiriya, Lavanya, Yuvanraj Nethran, Murali Krrish, Vetri and Sathya among others. It was produced by Kutty Padmini for Vaishnavi Media Works Limited, director by Danush.
Plot summary.
Romapuri Pandian is a historical novel that talks about the king Peruvazhuthi Pandian who tries to establish a relationship with the Roman Empire. "The serial will reflect the Tamil culture of a bygone era in an entertaining manner," adds the representative.
International broadcast.
The Series was released on 26 May 2014 on Kalaignar TV. The Show was also broadcast internationally on Channel's international distribution. It was aired in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, South East Asia, Middle East, Oceania, South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa on Kalaignar TV and also aired in United States, Canada, Europe on Kalaignar Ayngaran TV. The show's episodes were released on Kalaignar TV YouTube channel.


Josef Abel

Josef Abel (22 August 1768 – 4 October 1818) was an Austrian historical painter and etcher.
Biography.
Abel was born in Aschach an der Donau, Upper Austria. He visited the Academy in Vienna, which was at the time directed by Friedrich Heinrich Füger, and was one of his best scholars. Abel developed an interest for the ancient world, reflecting a popular direction in the art of the beginning of the 19th century in Germany and France. During the years 1801–1807, he studied in Italy, then returned to Vienna, where he became a member of the Academy on 8 February 1815 and remained till his death in 1818.
Among his famous works are paintings and etchings of Klopstock in Elysium, Orestes and Electra, Socrates and Theramenes as well as Emperor Francis I of Austria. He also painted the figural part of the front curtain of the old Burgtheater under directions of Füger.
For some time it is discussed, that his portrait of a young man with glasses is a portrayal of the young Franz Schubert.


Byron (film)

Byron is a British television film based on the adult life of English poet Lord Byron. Written by Nick Dear and directed by Julian Farino, it features Jonny Lee Miller in the title role alongside Vanessa Redgrave who portrays Lady Melbourne. It was first aired by the BBC in two, 75 minute parts in September 2003.
Production.
The drama was announced in November 2002 by BBC Controller of Drama Commissioning Jane Tranter, written by Nick Dear and to be directed by Julian Farino. Writing about the announcement for "The Daily Telegraph", Tom Leonard said that the production "is the latest example of the corporation's fixation with producing period dramas that are 'relevant to a modern audience'". It was produced by Ruth Baumgarten with executive producers Laura Mackie, Hilary Salmon and Andrea Miller.
Miller said that as a result of his portrayal, his opinion of Byron was that: "He had the ability to be an extraordinarily nice, kind man but he could also be really quite cruel when he made his mind up about somebody. I certainly don't like the way he treated some people."
Lady Caroline Lamb was seen by Power as a "child woman, incredibly vulnerable and one of those people with a huge life force".
Reception.
According to overnight figures, 2.1 million viewers (12% audience share) saw the first part with 1.8 million viewers (11% share) watching the second following the BBC Two broadcast.
In a preview ahead of its airing on BBC America in 2005, "The New York Times" said that the film "paints a sympathetic, at times serious-minded portrait without glossing over his vanity and artful affectations", and that Miller "skillfully blends his restless passion and moments of sour self-awareness". Writing for British Film Institute's Screenonline website, Alexander Larman also praised Miller's performance, saying in a profile of the actor that his portrayal of Byron was "sensitive and nuanced". Peter Chochran, writing about Byron portrayal on screen, described Miller as "outstanding in the lead: the most successful screen Byron there is".
Jenny Bevan won the Costume Design (Drama) award at the Royal Television Society Craft and Design Awards in 2004 for her work on the production. The awards also saw John Paul Kelly nominated in the Production Design (Drama) category.