Greece: Secrets of the Past
This large format film is one that should be of interest to the whole family. Younger family members will be encountering the ancient Greeks, certainly at school if not at home. Whether it is in the form of Aesop’s fables, learning the difference between Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns or reading about the feats of Herakles (Hercules), the Trojan War or following the Olympic results- encounters with Greek culture and heritage are inevitable.
The large IMAX screen makes it difficult to be bored or blasé even if it is just spectacular scenery projected in an image seven storeys tall and more than that, wide. For those who particularly enjoy special effects, there are two outstanding sequences in the film- one of an in-your-face volcanic eruption that buried a city with an estimated population of 30,000 inhabitants; the other, the virtual reconstruction of the world’s most famous temple which had been partially destroyed by cannon fire (setting off a gunpowder storage explosion). The usual compliments overheard after the screening from a younger audience is “that was cool!”
The activities that are in this family fun guide have been chosen to stimulate interest in some aspects of life in ancient Greece that were dealt with only fleetingly in the film- literature, mythology, sports- and they are an interesting and challenging way to learn a bit more about a people who had such a major impact on western civilization. Or, perhaps they will help in the passage of a rainy afternoon. The ancient Greeks were a competitive lot; their survival and their success depended on it. These activities also offer an opportunity for some friendly family rivalry and if, in the process, you or members of your family are inspired to delve deeper into the world of the ancient Greeks then, to borrow a phrase from the younger generation, that too would be cool.