PBS - Cathedral - David Macaulay

Author David Macaulay hosts CATHEDRAL, based on his award-winning book. Using a combination of spectacular location sequences and cinema-quality animation, the program surveys France's most famous churches. Travel back to 1214 to explore the design of Notre Dame de Beaulieu, a representative Gothic cathedral. The program tells period tales revealing fascinating stories of life and death, faith and despair, prosperity, and intrigue.
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[@frankm.8188]

35 years later and I still love these masterpieces from David Macaulay; although today, it's with a heavy heart. I just can't fathom the amount of work it will take to bring her back. It will take time, but I believe.

[@LadyAmanita]

It will be well worth it, Notre Dame has a lot of people on her side working and praying for her :)

[@Todd1356]

Senlis Cathedral was bombed by the Germans in WWI and was rebuilt--so will Notre Dame

[@carriewilliford1225]

Wow

[@maz7971]

love the porno tache!

[@britainluver431]

@@willfox1037 You sound like a tRump worshipper.

[@monicacall7532]

Thanks for making these Macaulay videos available. My son and I watched them together when he was growing up and as a teacher of academically advanced 10-11 year olds before then I had all of Macaulay’s books which I shared with them. I feel badly that “Motel of the Mysteries” was never made into a video. It is still my favorite of his books and is absolutely hilarious. He gently tweaks the noses of archeologists who can only truly speculate about the meaning of their finds-phones for communication with the gods, a bra as a sacred breast plate and a bathtub as the holy sarcophagus! LOL!!!

[@janibeg3247]

We studied the Chartres Cathedral in our High School Humanities class. 25 year later my wife and i visited the Chartres Cathedral. It was such an awesome place that we returned 3 more times.

[@trevorpeddicord1631]

The golden age of PBS.

[@ashphillips4753]

Finally, someone else who agrees.

[@henryvagincourt]

Good stuff.

[@jimc.goodfellas]

Exactly. There was a pretty good sweet spot, a sizable chunk of time. I remember watching the rebroadcasts late at night of the American Experience, American Masters, NOVA, etc. I actually looked forward to watching those shows.

[@jessicalampehre6724]

Try to watch some history channel and aliens did it

[@77Avadon77]

Before they went degenerate left.

[@ofeliamay3442]

I used to watch this all the time when I was a kid- I almost had this and the Castle one memorized! Now I'm getting my MA in Medieval History, and I still love this to bits- thanks for being a childhood hero, David Macauley!

[@ashphillips4753]

This and Castle are my favourite ones. Always insisted the book version be read every night.

[@henryvagincourt]

Castle was responsible for my degree, and my fascination with Castles, simple but rather damn good these programs.

[@nezzynez]

this video is at least partially responsible for my art history degree, too!

[@carriewilliford1225]

Dang-this was for fun? We must have way different tastes when it comes to fun in videos like these. You: FUN- Fantasticaly Undefying New-stuff. Me: FUN- Fricken Undoubtably Nusience. At least for these types of videos. I think I spelled nusience wrong lol

[@carriewilliford1225]

Things not thongs. Fricken autocorrect lol

[@cyboman9171]

Thank you for posting this copy of "Cathedrals" by David Macaulay!

[@earthcone]

I see people asking if others got this for homework like 5 years ago... me in quarantine: Well yes, but actually no.

[@aidenpotter]

Hahaha

[@s.johnson1886]

My teacher assigned this

[@error4945]

Same

[@carriewilliford1225]

I am assigned this too. Just like the Castle video

[@lysphillips770]

I watched this in class in 1992. I came back to watch it again, randomly.

[@MotionArtist3D]

OMG! I worked on this production back in early 80's but never got to see it until now. Thanks for posting Tony!

[@ETERNLedits]

Me replying 12 years later

[@mattkaustickomments]

I can watch David’s documentaries over and over again. Big fan. My folks even got me a signed copy of one of his books back in the day.

[@AnnaGrosse-nl9qv]

watching this video brought me to my knees in the middle of a costco parking lot. it's been two days and I'm still currently shaking from the intense emotional impact this left on me. splendid

[@hoffenwurdig1356]

Tetragrammaton maximus. He of four [Hebrew] letters is the greatest. And when His name is written in Arabic, then likewise there are four letters.

[@sforza209]

wtf?! Brought you to your knees in the Costco parking lot? How very weird.

[@phlog_dog7336]

I understand this feeling. For a documentary about architecture it has such heavy atmosphere, with the creepy music and multiple character deaths

[@deniseeulert5220]

In 1996 I used pictures from the book to make a pattern for a cathedral I erected from gingerbread. I even had stained glass windows, made from crushed hard candies and melted into place in the pieces themselves. I won first place in the contest. That sucker was huge, just have weighed about twenty five pounds.

[@nishottara777]

You should post a pic lol!

[@rickythe2nd63]

WOW!!!!!!!

[@PhoenixLyon]

Diabetes cathedral? JK. I like the melted candy for stained glass. That was inspired, man.✌😸

[@AdHocAdLocQuidProQuo]

i'm in middle school once more - what a throwback. very glad i found this again

[@jimpollard6704]

David Macaulay was a childhood hero of mine...adored all of his books. Didn't have or watch much TV growing up either, so I missed all these wonderful shows. Have to say...wow, what a gorgeous woman, whoever she is.

[@J3diMindTrix]

She was never mentioned in the credits I don't think (I was looking).. why? :(

[@nickly_d]

i believe her name is caroline berg, at 2:33 in the opening credits

[@Jart727]

I've got something she can get on her knees and worship.

[@BahstX]

This series has entranced me since I was a child...I'm so glad to have found them again so I can share them with my daughter...

[@obviouslyurnotagolfer148]

Fantastic!!! I remember watching this back in the 80's on PBS. I had to be 10 or 11 at the time and I was fascinated by the story. 🙏

[@misfit2k5]

The first time I watched it in high school in history class. First time in years, I am watching it again. I really loved the documentary. Thank you for bring it back.

[@earthcone]

I had to watch it in Junior High...

[@IzzyEidsvoog]

same bro right now

[@patrickmurphy7796]

I never watched this series....but my parents bought me the books and I used to sit, read, and admire the illustrations, the architecture, and the effort it took to build the cathedrals, castles, pyramids, and cities...castles and cathedrals were my favorite books from the series

[@blendernoob64]

I owned the vhs tape of this as a kid. As a practicing Roman Catholic, I love cathedrals, especially Gothic ones. They beautifully show the wonder and mysticism of Christianity, and through their towering height, were a means for the faithful to literally reach the heavens.

[@trenae77]

I’m Protestant and still find them deeply evocative. I wept when Norte Dame burned; not only a pinnacle of architectural history, but a testament to man’s devotion to God. While I never owned these films, my 10th grade history teacher would leave them for Subs when he was gone.

[@Concetta20]

I loved these documentaries when I got to watch them in school. I was thinking about this one last night because of Notre Dame.

[@tracychristenson177]

That's why I'm here too!

[@cobr3n]

Love the series also! :) I have them on vhs but our vcr broke unfortunately. Have the book with the Castle episode also. :)

[@silversobe]

@@cobr3n Get a vcr at Goodwill for 6 bucks

[@ecmagyar1988]

I was obsessed with cathedrals during my grade school years, and my fourth grade teacher let me borrow this on VHS. I'm delighted to see this video on KZbin. Thank you very much for posting. God bless you!

[@britainluver431]

The statues at 6:40-6:44 is the tomb of Dagobert I king of France from 629-639 and at 6:54-7:00 is at Reims at the right side of the right doorway and they depict Simeon the God Receiver, John the Baptist and Isaiah

[@Manic6605]

This makes me want to visit Notre Dam now more than ever.

[@mikeeverett2006]

Excellent video! The animation as well as the live action and narration are fabulous. Wish our movies are as good today.

[@elizabethbucarelli2262]

Have seen this video many times & it never gets old. Thank you for bringing it back!

[@violetrose415]

In the memory of Notre Dame..:( I am glad that the cathedral is mostly intact and in good shape, but the loss of the roof and some of the articles in it is sad. This was beautiful.

[@britainluver431]

At least the statue of Our Lady from the 14th century is still intact, and both the organs are intact as well.

[@TheBathrobeWizard]

Hello from the FUUUUTUUURRREEE! NOTRE DAME IS BACK BABY! Break out the French wine

[@hanswolfgangmercer]

Has anyone else noticed that the merchant never ages?

[@ariochiv]

Percy Danvers He must be a witch. Burn him!

[@kiayaplews8593]

+Arioch IV No he is not, he clearly used medieval medical treatment as a means to only look young. Maybe some of those old wives tales are true.

[@rando1090]

+Kiaya Plews Amazing! Local middle aged woman finds simple ancient trick to look 25! Surgeons furious!

[@Aristocles22]

Animation budget or divine intervention?

[@Kanuck1818]

But then again back then when you made a deal with the devil you didn't age

[@nishottara777]

Thanks for posting-I remember watching this in my high school French class and thinking at the time how interesting it was to see how these beautiful structures were built. After the fire at Notre Dame yesterday this has an even deeper significance for me.

[@JR15491]

One of my all-time favorite PBS programs and a good, basic lesson about cathedrals and how they were built.

[@AliSakurai]

I finally found it! I vaguely remember watching this in my old art class in elementary school! I spent years looking for it but now I finally found it! The only memory I have of this is when the merchant gives his entire fortune to the church.

[@Amison892]

I love this video. It made me super emotional. Just the graphics made my eyes come tears. Without my Euro teacher (Mr. Vahle) I would have never been able to see this video. -Sarah 6th hour

[@blaketearable3600]

I think you are commenting the wrong video.

[@amazon5031]

A beautiful doco, full of humanity and expertly done!

[@quickfoxxes]

What an absolute delight to have found this wonderful video, even if years later. I lived abroad when it was aired on PBS. I will be happy to share this with the next fourth grade class when I substitute teach their unit on medieval history. Previously I had good illustrations of castle building, but now this will share church construction alongside. The visuals here are just magnificently selected with the superimposition of the still and moving illustrations and particularly those subtle colorings. Thank you enormously! DJ in Knoxville TN

[@stevenswift403]

God Bless the Cathedral 1163-2019

[@miathapapaya]

And many hundreds of years more! The cathedral is mostly intact on the outside and French government plans to rebuild all that was lost in the fire. In maybe a decade it could be back to its former glory! Besides, its not the first time it has needed heavy repairs, just the first time in a very long time.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

@@miathapapaya I do not think that the repairs will entail 1300 trees taken from 52 acres of land (and treated with linseed oil). They also need to stabilize (if possible the land on the island. I hope that they can find limestone from the same quarry that the original stones came from (so that the stones will match)

[@dorf6470]

Was this homework for anyone else?

[@bgaworldstar2072]

Yes

[@glocklovell]

Dorf hiiii ethaaaannnnnnn

[@dorf6470]

B

[@mitch4r100]

hell yea

[@williamcorry8454]

yep

[@StrangeDepthsAP]

YES! I've had this movie lurking around in the back of my memory for decades! How it survived, I'll never know.

[@pinkdogavenger]

I loved this when I was a kid. Raymond Carver's classic short story, also named "Cathedral," was inspired by this video. Carver's short story always brings me back! One more case of how great art inspires the creation of new original productions!

[@EuphrasieFauchelevent]

yes, mr colfer, of course it is completely necessary to watch every single one of these documentaries for history class. im sure it will further my education and benefit me in college and for the rest of my life. thank you for blessing me with these assignments.

[@Patrick3183]

I have nothing but respect for medieval Europe and Christianity. Wokeness will never turn me against the heritage of the past

[@anthonygilio294]

My man Mr.Vahle is the best because he recommended this video to our 6th hour clase. I love this video and it shows a great story. fun,funny, *****( 5 stars) ITS A MUST

[@eboooo]

That woman was ridiculously beautiful with a lovely speaking voice. I listened to everything she taught me here.

[@gerbo8498]

u nasty

[@Lobo-Lobo]

And UR Habesha? Sad !

[@meeeka]

Her name is Caroline Berg.

[@eboooo]

@@meeeka thanks

[@jamesrivera9086]

Thank you so much for sharing this video. One of my favorites, and I share it each year with my HS to my students. To those complaining about having this video assigned to you in the past, I have one thing to say. "Sit yo ass down and shut up!" Just appreciate it!

[@Draqonelle1]

I love this one the best. It gives me a warm feeling. The framework is so good. Its engaging without being condescending, its a bit funny. Its such a simple sorry as ordinary people live their lives in search of a dream. I think it is a movie about Christian History. All the extremists whether atheists or fundamentalists should take a look at this movie about a quest for God in our world. It is not about achievement of some state if Grace by being better then your neighbor, its not about damnation. It is a greater reward. That if you persevere over hypocrisy, over bureacracy and even the laws of physics themselves with the true power of God you can win out. Not because you are special. And you might never see your dreams. There is no substitute for that Faith. not money not gold not even the Cathedral itself. I like this one I still have it on Vhs.

[@rando1090]

+Draqonelle1 "To those who give a meaningful comment on a KZbin video, we saluuute you!"

[@peterbakich328]

Alexander Lovato to those who make ac dc references on KZbin we saluuute you

[@BeardAxeMcAxeBeard]

These people were far closer to God than most anyone today. That was one of the few blessings of living in those times. Whats so great about this video is you can feel that. It is haunting.

[@awallner1]

I like how these episodes include a story. It helps keep the interest, instead of a boring "how to build a cathedral, or castle, or pyramid."

[@antonioyturralde5892]

These videos are so much better than listening to my teacher

[@poopfartpeepuddle]

THE FACT THAT WE'RE IN THE SAME SCHOOL AND MIGHT HAVE THE SAME SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER LOL

[@antonioyturralde5892]

@@poopfartpeepuddle what's ur real name??? I might know u

[@poopfartpeepuddle]

@@antonioyturralde5892 I’m Crystal from your math class

[@nigelft]

I read both 'Cathedral' way back in 1983, when I was 9, followed by 'Castle' the same year ... heck, I even cribbed from his book on how a Roman City was built for my Classical Studies class in around '85 ... but never knew his books were made into a tv series ...

[@Kanuck1818]

Never tire of these episodes

[@dmhiix]

Derek Jacobi and Brian Blessed as voice actors. How cool is that?

[@FashionandtheKicks]

0:20 4/15/2019 *history repeats itself*

[@HolyKhaaaaan]

Will they rebuild it as something which will reflect the glory of God?

[@ModernBarbarian187]

They really need to update all of these. Cathedral, Castle, Pyramid...etc. A great way to learn about structures that were built to last. Everyone these days think it couldn't have been done so it had to be inspired by aliens. That's crap....man can do such great things.

[@schizoidboy]

I agree, we don't give people from the pass the credit they deserve and this definitely gives it to them showing that they did have the knowhow to build great structures and that they understood the engineering that went into them.

[@ashphillips4753]

schizoidboy our convenience society could never fathom the tedious labour and love that went into these structures.

[@schizoidboy]

Again I agree happy holidays:)

[@ashphillips4753]

schizoidboy same to you🎅👳🔯

[@Tony......]

Yep, it's amazing what was built and how it was built so long ago. I love docs on older building techniques.

[@KeiFox]

With the recent tragedy of Notre Dame being partially destroyed by fire, here's hoping the rebuilding efforts will take much faster than the fifty plus years it took to build Notre Dame de Beaulieu. A beautiful animated narrative that shows fictional characters revolving around real life situations from the history of these magnificent structures throughout the world.

[@gabrielaubry1334]

Hate to say this, but it took 182 years to build Notre Dame de Paris. Let us hope modern technology can rebuilt this magnificent structure in less than a century.

[@carriewilliford1225]

182???

[@KarlSturmgewher]

In this particular story (which has yet to be adapted into a live-action film), Master Guillame was killed in that horrendous roof collapse.

[@InweTaralom]

This was one of my favorite shows on late, late, LATE night TV.

[@cathysuchil221]

I had to watch this for homework

[@andrewfata6598]

I relate hard to this

[@aminyaghtinmirshekar9442]

same

[@zynea5]

ayeeeee

[@thelordchancellor3454]

I wish I had to watch this for homework. I nearly have it memorized!

[@brentknapp]

same!

[@yetanotherjohn]

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett is a must read for anyone who enjoys this!

[@F40PH-2CAT]

Loved Castle as a boy....but later this became my favorite cuz of David's co-host 😍

[@AdelaideBeemanWhite]

I watch this as Notre Dame de Paris burns. The spire and roof have just collapsed. This is a great loss for the entire world.

[@gabrielaubry1334]

Let us hope the stone vaults protects the inside.

[@Jason-ji4sy]

Yeah well, you can't miss shit till it's gone. Where were you yesterday, when everywhere was roses and all was right in the world?

[@gabrielaubry1334]

@@Jason-ji4sy I don't know. Where were you?

[@jimc.goodfellas]

Everything wasn't right in the world yesterday. Troll comment-

[@EnigmaticUniverse001]

Damn muslims...

[@PaulIsaacT.PowerPoet-so1gh]

Voices are great, Brian Blessed is one.

[@agathajadwiszczok3503]

What an excellent video. Thank you for uploading it!

[@dyskelia]

My childhood 😭😭 this still goes so hard

[@KittieKatStorm]

42:18 does anybody know the title of the epic song he references here?

[@TomorrowWeLive]

Was the animation done by Rankin Bass? It reminds me of those old animated Hobbit/LotR films.

[@Mat-q5z]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@thomaspablo4970]

This is what ia happening now the cathedral is on fire :( close to 1000 years old in golsh by fire :,(

[@joshschneider9766]

It's not the first time that place caught fire

[@joshschneider9766]

also the cathedral has not been in its original state for six hundred and ninety years anyway

[@christopherolivieri5187]

I finally found it!!!! After all this time I finally found the video they showed us in seventh grade!

[@supreme-fortnitefunnymomen6050]

Does anyone know what the song is at 2:22?

[@jedihunter176]

Merchant Tibot and the chapter is immortal. Everyone else ages and they don't change a bit

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

I suppose had they made Tibot appear far more older than when you first saw them, it would've made sense, at least Pierre got to see the construction continue before his passing.

[@carlosmurray1528]

It was homework for me in middle school. The coolest middle school social studies teacher used vhs plus a computer games plus theater in her class. Yeah this was just a part of her educational class. Her name was Mrs Furfine.

[@Ijasoonni]

Who got this for homework in 2020 during quarantine.

[@Oreobtw8]

Me

[@tomalexander4327]

The cartoon element is very well done

[@mezbo704]

This was homework for me. Who else had to watch this video for homework?

[@PeldaChan]

Does anyone have a work sheet for this for HW?

[@joshuaxiong7955]

I am here because of a 70 year old world history teacher

[@jsnyc21]

I first saw this when I was 9 years old. Thank you for posting :)

[@Cyberdemon1542]

That was very heartwarming!

[@DConCommentary]

UF History of Architecture anyone?

[@Heresjonny-lp6te]

I have 2 watch this 4 zanetti anyone?

[@100k.helena4]

yep same

[@brentknapp]

i have 2 watch for school.

[@cruisepaige]

Scares me that this is college curricula. It’s more suitable for 5th graders.

[@HaivianLegacy]

THE STONE WAS WEAK!

[@KarlSturmgewher]

Always inspect the stone before it is to be used.

[@jeremyfrancispiano2]

Not here for homework... Just miss programs like this from my childhood. Great background din for a lazy afternoon on a cold winter day...

[@Hemuset]

Watching this for Art History homework ayyyyy

[@greenefieldmann3014]

THAT IS NO CONCERN OF THE CHAPTER

[@VulcanTrekkie45]

Thank you, Pierre.

[@renardgrise]

Dun-dun

[@davestewart2067]

Some famous names providing voices for the animation - Brian Blessed and Derek Jacobi, of I, Claudius fame.

[@jvgreendarmok]

@@davestewart2067 On the other hand, Bishop Gervais is not John Hurt, although he sounds a bit like he might be.

[@carriewilliford1225]

Who else is bored?!?!?!?!?!?

[@theBaron0530]

Great voice work from Derek Jacobi and Brian Blessed, reuniting after appearing together in "I, Claudius" as Claudius and Augustus, respectively.

[@jmclane1979]

We must send a letter... to the pope!!

[@wepaworldview7245]

26:48

[@wepaworldview7245]

We should get the whole crew on this video. This was the video that started it all. All those characters, all the skits... This is like the big bang of Thedaily Pope history.

[@hint0122]

I hope it can be rebuilt as it was.

[@cYklr]

NOOOOOOO pierre come back !!!!!!!dont leave us!!!1 we all love you!!!!!

[@GingerKraut]

Flashbacks to French class in the eighties!!

[@CathieDorschAndNolanBaceolsMed]

So Close A Bit… But A Masterpiece! Especially Animated One! 😁❤️ Will You Care To Explain, Everyone?

[@GradyHavok-Wood]

Yeah I Do! 😁❤️

[@Littleathquakes]

@11:08 “that should lessen the danger of fire” - oh boy...

[@Klowner777]

Beautiful video. Thank you for this.

[@Stardust920]

This DVD is now sold out on Amazon.

[@theeviloverlord7168]

Guys, the cathedral in the beginning is the fictional "Notre-Dame de Beaulieu", not Notre-Dame de Paris XD A ton of Cathedrals are named Notre-Dame. They're named after Mary--literally, "Our Lady".

[@benjisaac]

It is pretty weird that they named it after one that already does exist (Notre-Dame de Beaulieu I mean, not saying the one in Paris), that looks nothing like this at all. In the book it had a different name

[@JuniusMaltby]

I have searched for years to find the choral piece located at time stamp 54:14

[@Patrick3183]

Email a music expert at the Vatican or something

[@anonymouscrank]

Caroline Berg deserved a lot more screen time.

[@FolkFirearmsCollective]

Saw this as a kid. Love the music.

[@livinlite9549]

I hope the Hunchback got out.

[@barbaraannen3340]

He was smokin'

[@BrendaOwens]

Yes....I have it on good authority that he works for Disney now....

[@carriewilliford1225]

Smoking messes everything up

[@claudiaferrero3010]

It's so sad it happened again.

[@Vladpryde]

1986? Wow! I was 3 years old when this was made.

[@m30mayhem]

Anyone else here from Mr. Lozzi's Class

[@cringeman8012]

Lel

[@amberbranks4209]

I love it! Blessed be The Name of God! Forever!

[@adamelliott3694]

With increasing levels of annoyance: "Thank you Pierre."

[@alexculp606]

Frollo (from The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

[@philipitaliano1329]

As a child I saw this and the castle one. Formulative experiences indeed.

[@GamerNerd_i]

Anyone else think that the animation in this looks like the notorious Zelda CDI animation? Not that there's anything bad about the video, but I was just wondering if anyone else saw the similarities.

[@jedihunter176]

Similar animation style. It's probably rotoscoped over live action actors.

[@Eidako]

The charter member in tan is the worst for some reason (37:44). Every scene with him is off-kilter from the rest of the animation.

[@Andrew_Thannen]

It reminds me of something Ralph Bakshi may have done, specifically Lord of the Rings.

[@gnerdeek5362]

The merchant looked eerily similar to the shopkeep from CDI Zelda

[@britainluver431]

@@gnerdeek5362 "Lamp oil. Rope? Bombs? You want it? It's yours, my friend, as long as you have enough derniers." -Merchant Tibo