PBS - Castle - David Macaulay

CASTLE combines colorful animation with live-action documentary sequences to tell the story of a 13th-century Welsh castle. Author David Macaulay, who wrote and illustrated the best-selling book of the same title, leads viewers on a castle tour, explaining its cultural and sociological significance and its architectural design. Detailed animation dramatizes the building of the castle and portrays the lifestyle of the early inhabitants.
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[@matthewcarey3148]

I LOVED these videos when I was a kid. Castle, Pyramid, Cathedral. I think they are a big reason why I am a history teacher today.

[@ianmedford4855]

...Roman City...

[@stansfieldmcelroy]

this guy sucks

[@jamesdalton3082]

Agree! I was enthralled with these when I was a kid and, like you, I'm a history teacher today.

[@jamesdalton3082]

I haven't found it on here yet, but the one for "Mill" tied into American history a bit more. You'd also enjoy the work of Eric Sloane, with "Diary of an American Farm Boy" and his "yesteryear" themed books that go deeply into early American construction techniques and tools. Also look for the book "Mr Hamilton's Grange."

[@burtan2000]

@@jamesdalton3082 I should like to see that very much. My daughter longs for such a progrum, in hopes that i might stop speaking in this ridiculous - and posh - British accent.

[@johanekman7864]

This must be att least 40 years old buy this year of 2022, but it is still the most accurate, informative, honest and thoughtful documentary about the medieval castle that i hav ever seen!

[@optomix3988]

Im 43 and a art teacher. I still watch this cartoon at least once a year with my students when we study castle architecture and draw fantasy castles. Its is very entertaining and informative.

[@Zippyzah]

I remember watching this in class back in the early 90's when I was a kid. I loved it then and I love it now. Thank-you for putting it up.

[@mceci.44]

and now im doing it for class but its through a zoom and its 2020. it totally changed.

[@carriewilliford1225]

Wow. We are super different when it comes to opinions on things to watch

[@WilfredIvanhoe]

I saw it on TV like 30 years ago. I loved it but didn't discover it again until recently.

[@inspectorvoid]

Same! 6th grade in the 90’s!

[@crashoverride6754]

Lover it when teachers would put this on for us as a kid. The animation, the battles, the "will they or won't they" chemistry of David and Susan. This had it all.

[@georgetempest9627]

I had some of Macaulay's books in the late 70's, one about the castle, the pyramids and a modern city. They all show in detail the way thing were built. The first time I had ever seen things explained in cross sections or exploded view. He had a really interesting way of getting young children interested in architecture and it has stuck with me all these years. I am still fascinated about how castles were built.

[@causticchameleon7861]

While all you children are complaining about having to watch this, the adult actually chose to watch this for enjoyment and learning.

[@sincerelyjanea6874]

Yea we don’t care we have been taught this repeatedly we want to learn something else besides old ancient people

[@causticchameleon7861]

@@sincerelyjanea6874 then go watch MTV and rot your brain with mind junk food.

[@madomtomlinson]

Do you want a medal or something?

[@sincerelyjanea6874]

@@causticchameleon7861 I actually prefer to do something else that’s productive and mtv sucks lmao reading is my preferred choice when it’s something interesting and idk what teens you know bc my brain not rotting at least my 4.0 and college program says other wise but go off

[@causticchameleon7861]

MTV sucks so bad. I remember the first day it started. All music video all the time. It was great. I don’t know any teens very well these days as my youngest just turned 30yrs old. Keep reading and your brain won’t go to much. 4.0 is fantastic. Hopefully you’ll Carrey that GPA through college. And whatever you do, stay away from MTV. It’s a garbage pail now.

[@DerpySmash]

I remember watching this in school and everybody screamed when they saw the guy taking a shit.

[@wednesdaybarron6344]

I don't see a guy taking a dump

[@bobbyforce1957]

Good times

[@swamp9136]

Yeah they show his balls for a second too lol

[@JustMe-ob3nw]

Lilcumtowel 😂😂😂

[@atomicdawg100]

Hah!! i remember the same reaction!! 🤣

[@thesilentstorms-]

I remember seeing this in school, it left quite the Medievalphile impression on me for life. I'm so happy I found it again.

[@driverv86]

+TheSilentStorm Me too!

[@henryvagincourt]

+driverv86 And me.

[@tylercsanford]

+TheSilentStorm Me Too!

[@ashphillips4753]

my mates always arsed about in class, but this type of subject has always intrigued me quite much. The beauty and the strength they represent is almost psychologically erotic.

[@jlwaddey9579]

'psychologically erotic'...i think that's just this lovely actress/presenter!

[@2222isabella]

Absolutely worth watching. Although our "modern" times are determined by fast global changes, there's an undisputable consolation in these glances into history: That everything is futile and thus, even the dark times do not last, which means that there's still hope.

[@thpass]

I saw this documentary on PBS around 1982 at the height of my friends and my obsession with dungeons & dragons. Some things I remember vividly were the murder holes and the cold castle dunny. Thanks for the memories. I was convinced that Ralph Bakshi was in charge of the animation for some reason.

[@carriewilliford1225]

Cool. The music is interesting

[@theBaron0530]

I had the same thought: the animation in several of the Macaulay specials is reminiscent of Bakshi's work. It reminds me a little, too, of "Heavy Metal".

[@alexculp606]

Welcome To Castle of Camelot with Yakko Warner Wakko Warner and Dot Warner

[@alexculp606]

King Arthur and Merlin

[@alexculp606]

Madame Adelaide Bonfamille George Hautecourt and Edgar Balthazar

[@captainbadd]

I remember staying up to watch this on a school night. So great.

[@Rafael-levi]

I remember watching this when I was a kid and I always check out this from the library and then my parents would buy this for me because I love castles so much.

[@jusztinnemeti6380]

I remember watching this as a kid back in the early eighties. I had taken the book out of the library several times already. I loved medieval and renaissance history. That's what lead me down the path to original Dungeons & Dragons.

[@godfrey_of_america]

So sorry to hear that.

[@jusztinnemeti6380]

@@godfrey_of_america I don't understand. Why?

[@mtnimt4724]

​@@jusztinnemeti6380he's probably some Bible thumper who's worried you turned to Satan😅

[@alexculp606]

​@@godfrey_of_america Yakko Wakko and Dot: We the Warner Brothers and the Warner Sister

[@alexculp606]

​@@jusztinnemeti6380 Camelot of King Stefan's Castle

[@ghosturiel]

I saw this randomly on TV as a kid and i really enjoyed it. Years later i even found the book in the school Library. Now I'm watching it as an adult and am going to use it for a D&D setting. Funny how some things never leave you.

[@williamgibson6574]

I first saw this video in Art class in 1991. It was old then, but I loved it! I know have shown to 7th graders for the last 11 years as a social studies teacher. They love it too!!!

[@brandonoropeza4886]

Same as me im a 7th grader this is homework

[@aacn08]

did your students have to answer questions? I'm a 7th grader and my class has to answer questions...

[@teamreside4802]

@@brandonoropeza4886 same

[@Cocarat206]

This documentary and a childhood spent playing Age of Empires 2 really set me on a path in life, I'll say that much.

[@FoxMcCloudd2012]

Can't wait for 4, or Medieval Total War 3 if creative assembly gets their act together. Sadly the next game in the line up is War Hammer 3

[@Kissmyass19]

Age of empires 2 is a great game. I used to play that loads. Great one thanks for mentioning it...lol.

[@GeorgeMaj15]

this video is both enjoyable and really full of great information about castles. Now it's endearing with its old-school vibe. BUILD A HOUSE AND START A FAMILY is still a line quoted by my family to this day.

[@jonathanross149]

This was one of my favorite books when I was a kid. I checked it out of the library over and over. Before I had my yellow classic Lego castle set, I built a red one based on the books.

[@theproplady]

A beautiful and clear presentation presumably made for a young audience but which doesn't talk down to them. I like how David sums everything up at the end - on the purpose behind the building of castles like these and how the changing times eventually made them obsolete. It's rare that you get a history lesson that gives you a real feeling for how people lived back then, or why people did things the way they did - most history documentaries these days seem to be loud spectacles made more to entertain an audience rather than educate them. I'm sure most of the commenters who declare this to be boooorrring would rather be watching one of those, but I'll take one of David Macaulay's thoughtful pieces anytime.

[@shxhcjd5571]

School cancelled for coronavirus and I have to watch this😭😤

[@thegreatgamer5670]

what up tyler

[@shxhcjd5571]

Nothin much jay

[@NuggetMax_Yaoi]

*same*

[@ryleeharvey5960]

fuckin same bud

[@cadencemullen7322]

Same

[@pavelow235]

David Macaulay is still alive and publishing as of 2021 ! And thanks for posting, I'm here after reading the book.

[@Guitcad1]

I remember well seeing this on PBS in the early 1980's.

[@familiarpurrson8744]

I as well. Liked it so much, I bought the book.

[@CooperBChance]

Ahhhhhh, I remember this from elementary school! I loved the animated parts and the music. So much nostalgia.

[@crazymonkeyVII]

What an absolute masterpiece! I absolutely love the style and I recognize that a lot of effort was put into making this. I've just bought this guy's book. Awesome animations!

[@Bambisgf77]

Agreed! This is content gold!

[@juliehildahl2758]

I still love this stuff, after 30yrs I had forgotten all about it until stumbling upon it recently. I love all the stories, Roman city, Pyramid etc. I want more though!

[@obviouslyurnotagolfer148]

Whether you're an adult or a child, you can enjoy this series and learn quite a bit in an hour. 🙏

[@thepipingsparrow]

Watched this when it came out. So glad to watch it again.

[@delmaplain4160]

Have loved this series since first time I saw it, as an adult, proving you are never too old for good annimation. Am slowly acquiring the series on dvd, and enjoy them just as much today. Only wish there were more in series!

[@jameso17]

Delma Plain 21:59 Did you enjoy that part aswell?

[@Draqonelle1]

I loved this series as a girl at school. thanks for sharing. Goes to see Cathedral which is the best documentary ever.... Thank you

[@Kalel8241]

Wow, I remember watching this in first grade during art in 1990. Thank you KZbin algorithm for the trip down memory lane

[@freedbyjesus8]

This is by far the nicest portrayal of Edward I that I've ever seen. Great documentary.

[@TSZatoichi]

I fell in love with these books after finding them in our towns library when I was a kid, and I remember how exited I was when I first saw that they made 'movies' out of them.

[@rkornilo]

Wow I think I saw this in art class in middle school in the mid 80's. I still remember the part where the thief was being kept in the dungeon. Although I thought I remember that a toilet emptied into the dungeon to torment it's...inhabitants. Looks like my memory of that had warped over time. Thanks for posting this.

[@HeatDeath76]

This taught me enough about castles as a kid that it really bugged me, years later, that neither Helm's Deep nor Minas Tirith had competently designed gatehouses in the Lord of the Rings movies.

[@chrisapitz6089]

This movie watched as a child started my love of all things medieval.

[@alexculp606]

Disney's Space Jam The IMAX Experience (2004)

[@Blokewood3]

I loved all of Macaulay's videos as a kid. Watching it as an adult here are a few things I noticed: Several times people are shown emptying chamber pots into the street. Now I know that medieval cities would often fine people for not keeping their streets clean, so this depiction is unlikely. As a kid, I thought of the castle defenders as the "good guys" and as the Welsh attackers as the "bad guys", but now I have a better understanding of the fact that the English were basically invading Wales. Even so, the depiction of the Welsh soldiers burning down the homes of the peasants still looks grim. At 47:20 the sappers throw a pig's body into the tunnel before they set fire to the beams supporting the tunnel. As a kid, I didn't understand why, but now I think this is a reference to the Siege of Rochester, in which King John used pig fat to fuel fire to burn a tunnel.

[@davepowell7168]

The wealthy didn't live among the poor and as late as the 1850's chamber pots were emptied into the streets of London. Sir Joseph Bazalgette addressed the problem by building sewers You are correct that 40 fattened pigs were used to fire the wooden supports of the undermined tunnel bringing down a tower at Rochester

[@Game_Hero]

Goes to show how the video kinda does dirty the Welsh fight against English imperialism and colonialism. Complete with the rebel prince having a cartoon villain voice not to be taken seriously and certainly not positively, only the Welsh being seen doing bad things, only the English shown taking care of their wounded to add sympathy, and the "positive message" showing that everything could and become alright if the Welsh, past tense, just learn to "live side by side" with their invaders, obeying and assimilating to their english masters. It's subtle, but it's there. But then again, it was the 70s, it was only the start to Wales reviving from its cinders and fighting for itself as a nation, undoing centuries of social injustices and history written by the winners.

[@WilfredIvanhoe]

I saw this a long time ago on TV, I must have been 6 or 7 back then... I still remembered parts of it, and now I found it again by chance. Awesome!

[@Joeyu42]

i feel bad for you, goodluck

[@ZiplineShazam]

Partial time Travel

[@Kissmyass19]

1983 this was made. They don't make documentaries like this anymore. It was good I enjoyed watching it.

[@downloadableskills]

I saw this in elementary when I practically lived at the library. I had read the book, and later found this VHS on the library shelf. This film had a huge impact on my life, and I had a HUGE crush on this woman. I still think anyone that has a voice similar to her's is extremely attractive. I like it that she beats him in chest. And they are a great pair, with awesome chemistry

[@DanielBowens]

I remember watching this about 25 years ago in school, and I remember thinking it was old back then. Good watch tho 👍 thanks for the upload

[@dirtw2480]

stop the cap it hasn't even been 20 years more or less 15

[@sollat8593]

Lmao it was posted 8 years ago dumbass

[@captainmaximus2818]

@@dirtw2480 i don't think they mean watching on this channel they mean watching the same vid in school.

[@dirtw2480]

@@captainmaximus2818 oh alr understandable have a good day

[@sollat8593]

HAHAHAHAHHAHAH

[@noahculp9900]

Am I the only one doing this for homework?

[@cabin_ot]

nope

[@priscilabento2362]

Noah Culp are we in the same school? or..

[@jackstall4035]

nope

[@jollymsu1828]

im doing this in quarantine

[@DzhovanniCOD]

same

[@wkeeble1251]

Who else back then, who say this in class, but didn't pay attention, yet watch the animated segments, and those people demonstrating and showcasing the ruins of the castle . . . I did, and it was great, and after seeing I even took the time and looking it up . . found it but not the entire video XP bummer

[@billn.1318]

This was about the time we are all doodling 90s logos on our notebooks. Then the teacher says "now submit your top ten things you learned about this videos". I miss middle school hahahah

[@astrohaterade]

This is a gem. Many thanks for uploading this!

[@natalyabuenrostro8339]

who else was waiting for the "thank you" after they said "from viewer's like you"

[@personontheinternet7113]

i was

[@bobmoe5934]

I watched this in elementary school. It was new then. Still good.

[@cosmic-dragonfruit7120]

"I am deeply moved Kevin" one of the best quotes ever

[@anikamccauley3907]

U like Star Wars? 💫

[@TomPlantagenet]

I like the part where they’re talking about castles!

[@Cameroo]

Thanks for sharing this. I really enjoyed seeing this as a kid. Great memories.

[@lostelearchivosdemichaelan6821]

Thank you so much for sharing these David Macaulay jewels!

[@skootmeister3994]

I remember watching snippets of this in a college class for security believe it or not. It was a simple task but we had to identify things on a castle that helped to make it secure.

[@MisterGibbycrumbles]

7:55 - "A necessary precaution, we know the Welsh are watching us" - oh boy, If I had a penny every time I've said that...

[@nurfacealways]

I have some welsh blood

[@MarmoMossBoll]

@@nurfacealways same

[@jwitt8319]

We watched this at school, and at 21:53 my teacher blanked the screen xD

[@christopher3386]

Because an illustrated buttocks was too racy? Ridiculous.

[@YoungHeartedSoul]

+christopher hatch think it could of been the scrotum lolol

[@kennedykiser557]

Whys that...he doesn't ever have to take a Crap?

[@chancewilson2677]

It's meant to be his hand, but it does look like that

[@carriewilliford1225]

Hahahahahahaha

[@johnhaider103]

I have watched this documentary a thousand times . And I am still watching it

[@shannon-wp7sb]

My 8th grade history class is making me come here. Not bad. Just gotta say, all the dislikes are from students who hate history. Tehe

[@juv8113]

4 years ago, people had to do a worksheet on this. now, during a pandemic, i have to do homework on this that is overdue

[@olitoner8461]

same unfortunatly

[@antonioyturralde5892]

Duuude sammmmmmmeeeeeee

[@VickyCrescent]

I love this animation. It is awesome

[@koksalceylan9032]

Watching for the 27 the time in a decade. Great Documentary

[@thisistam2335]

It’s not long ago, but I watched this as a freshman and now I’m a junior. Time goes by too fast. The teacher who showed me this had his last year of teaching with my class 😭

[@michaellynch3087]

This should required watching for all kids! Absolutely captivates the imagination and inspires a love for history.

[@marcnews75]

Brian blessed doing the voice of master James

[@harrykearns6527]

I knew he sounded familiar

[@memoriesofmychildhood7297]

My older brother or dad showed this to me when I was 6 or 7.I love history.

[@cynwulf2898]

That build-up to and drop of the main theme at 2:36 is absolute fire!

[@Ronbo710]

So glad I went to school back when this was filmed. Prior to all of the revisionist guilt ridden PC *bullshit* .

[@Evanthestrange]

Rented this every week from the library when I was a kid. Good times.

[@seiowens3970]

I live in Europe, I get a kick out of seeing medieval garderobes here. Medieval hygiene fascinates me, believe it or not, they did bathe and wash when they could, and if they avoided sugar, their teeth were generally healthy too, excavated graves show their dental health was better than ours today.

[@JamesBrown-mt5ru]

The Normans did not try to subdue Scotland. They were invited in. William the Conqueror visited Perth and did a deal with the Scottish king. The Normans, Bretons, Anglo-Normans, and Anglo-Bretons quickly became assimilated and family names were Scotticised from Fitz-Alan to Stewart, Fraise to Fraser, Boileau to Boyle, Bethune to Beaton, etc.

[@shaneobrien2257]

Fascinating documentary. Many thanks for uploading. From England. 👍

[@jlwaddey9579]

thank god for PBS!

[@BrotherWitch]

No, thank viewer support, and charitable organizations who pay for it. But why get off your ass and help someone, when you can sit in your home and pray for them instead?

[@thomasdemastri2283]

Yea, I got tilted when I saw this, perhaps a bit too much so. But to say his comment had nothing to do with atheism is wrong.

[@thomasdemastri2283]

I'm not talking about the original comment, I was commenting about the first response. I might not have made that clear.

[@f1y7rap]

I remember this from when I was a kid. we saw it in school when this was newly released. This is one of the things that got me interested in medieval history.

[@pamelaashcroft8011]

Best castle documentary I have ever watched

[@schizoidboy]

One interesting thing implied here is that after a while there would have been some intermarriage between the Welsh and the English townspeople who came there to occupy and settle, which probably helped ease some later tensions.

[@newcasual22]

The tensions between the Welsh and English still exist today.

[@schizoidboy]

You're right I do remember hearing there are many groups opposed to links to England and there are probably some English who are not on speaking terms with the Welsh, so it is probably not a good idea to suggest to these groups they might be distantly related:)

[@gregb6469]

The typical Welshman has a lot more Celtic in his background than the typical Englishman, who will likely have some Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Norman mixed in with his Celtic blood.

[@Game_Hero]

yeah, surely being submissive and assimilating into your english masters after they conquered your land and brought in colonial settlers to erase your people, help "ease later tensions". Tensions for sure, fighting for social justice and undoing centuries of oppression, colonialism and assimilation policies by the English and the "Union of equals" built by and for England and their domination over their trophies. The british empire started here.

[@LordVader1094]

Dude, this was my childhood.

[@mikakorhonen5715]

This and yellow LEGO castle.

[@krichardt]

You must be very old

[@anr1593]

and Pyramid and Roman City

[@drakeredwingofficial]

SAME

[@carriewilliford1225]

How old ARE you, LordVader1094? Living during the castle times and all that :]

[@hegelbot]

I loved this show as a kid. Thanks for posting.

[@athenassigil5820]

I remember when I first saw this with my dad back in the early 80's. We both loved it, I am happy to say after re watching it, I still do! You Tube is the great medium for sharing knowledge old and new, thanks for posting this gem!

[@aliseely5442]

me watching this: my brain: i wish i was death

[@nicobicobee3583]

mood lmao

[@lisetea9590]

who else has the worksheet for homework ._.

[@matthewbeck8328]

+GlitterSimmer i do

[@maverickalpha4822]

+GlitterSimmer me

[@angelpixie2003]

Me

[@amordagdagan3079]

Yeah but who's gonna comment the answers

[@meganerd14]

Worksheet?

[@imperiallegionnaire8344]

Idk what your talking about this video is awesome

[@sandworms9451]

Can’t believe this is nearly 40 years old

[@ryanasaurus0077]

It's interesting to note that the original distributor was not WHYY Philadelphia, but WTVS Detroit. I know this because I have a cassette of this from the '80s. Also, CPB and public television viewers weren't among the original underwriters (though the other three were).

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

I noticed WTVS is mentioned in the end credits, so that's interesting if they started these first.

[@chewie211171]

This doco is an oldie, but a beauty! Still very informative over 30 years later.

[@Rfvansaun]

I still have the book that accompanies this show from when I was a kid back in the 80's and 90's.

[@jamesmatthews5365]

Now this is a documentary done right.

[@eddyxc1697]

Damn its interesting seeing people watch this for homework. I found this video on youtube when i was a kid and it got me into history

[@cptnemo20kl]

GODDAMNIT THANK YOU! THANK YOU, KZbin FOR GIVING PEOPLE SUCH AS ANTHONY223 THE TOOLS TO POST THESE VIDS! BLESS YOUR DIGITAL HEART!

[@hanswolfgangmercer]

I loved this as a kid. I kept checking it out at the school library

[@Cammi_Rosalie]

Charming and informative. This is my first viewing of this documentary. I love animation, and the telling of the story of the fictional castle was brilliant. It could stand to be on its own, I think. I was 7 when this was released in '83. Now I'm 42, and still enjoyed it. I wonder if Shad (Shadiversity) has seen this.. Well done to all involved, and thank to you, Mr. Anthony223 for providing this for us to enjoy.

[@christinecarpentero]

Anyone have to watch this video for homework?

[@antonioyturralde5892]

All the downvotes on this video are just annoyed kids lol

[@TheLoyalOfficer]

Very well done. This has always been my favorite program on castles.

[@sugarcanefarmer2051]

Its not the animation that makes it special. It is the music, the mixed of creepy-dramatic music makes this feel, like your there.

[@kennedykiser557]

I really liked the way you put this entire project into action. What an Awesome story to go along with all the other factional information about Castles. I learned a wealth of knowledge & enjoyed this from start to finish. Thanks for the upload David.

[@michaelmaranda3386]

How did I miss this beautiful piece? Thank you for the posting.

[@jimmycoyote3693]

Teachers have it so easy nowadays, back in the 90s they had to roll a 400 lb tv into art class or some history class now they just say kids google this doc

[@blaircolquhoun7780]

I remember watching this back in the early 1880e; It was a hood show.

[@Baskerville22]

Some voice-over in the animated sections by Brian Blessed, I think & maybe Michael Jayston also..

[@TheLionPear]

This has strongly inspired the story I'm writing. Thanks for posting!

[@daprmcen]

Loved this as a kid. Had it on VHS :P

[@StuffOffYouStuff]

I wish this had been shown in England years ago too. Looks like a childhood Gem. Funny thing is, the English nobility weren't really English at all, but Norman / Angevin. They failed to mention that Edward completely drained the money supply of the Jewish lenders in Britain, and when they had no more money to lend him, he rounded all the heads of the families up and executed them, and then expelled the remaining Jews of London overseas. They didn't return until about 400 years later when Oliver Cromwell invited them back.