BRIAN SEWELL'S GRAND TOUR OF ITALY

It is better to be previously endeared to the personality of Brian Sewell before purchasing this DVD. This is a bad choice for the preparing traveler, but a good choice for the art history enthusiast.His theme is to view Italy through the eyes of the 18th century "grand tourists", his own coined term for aristocratic boys from England who made a pilgrimage in their early adulthood.He carries this theme to a tedious extent, pointing out to us that these aristocratic brats hated Italian food,Italian wine, and Italians themselves. He begrudges that modern Italians ride their bicycles beneath a certain arch in Rimini without a thought -- not about the cultural importance of the Roman-era architecture -- but of the 18th century "grand tourist". "This actually looks like a combination of red ink and urine" he says of a glass of Chianti. After watching this dvd, I would enjoy watching an Italian travel through England eating bangers and mash in overcast London weather making remarks about English cuisine, wine (do they have any?) and people.He also has no rapport with the guests of the program. The Italian opera singer seems eager to get rid of him, an expert on volcanos is not engaged by Sewell's frustration that Mt. Vesuvius has little aesthetic value, and he tells the owner of the Villa Valmarana how annoying it must be to remain stuck with the same artwork on the walls.I must say, I'm a little disappointed that Sewell seems to lack even the basic tourist's passable Italian, which I would not have expected because in an interview he once said that he aspired to write "the" book on Michelangelo. He must have planned to accomplish this without Italian sources.He is at his best discussing Paestum, Siena, Mantua, and Orvieto.I remain a fan of Sewell even after this, however. I'm glad I didn't have to know him, he seems insufferable, but as an art critic he was an entertaining, arrogant British snot in his day. He knew what he was talking about and he had clearly thought about everything he had to say. May he rest in peace.

I'm planning a trip and thought DVDs would augment paper guides in choosing which cities to visit & for how long.I like that he doesn't waste time recommending restaurants, hotels or vendors: rather, the focus is on the city, architecture, churches and art. As an Anglophile (lover of BNC and English history) I find his story/ theme of "what rich Englismen did during their 1700s "Grand Tours" interesting.Let's be honest: we casual Americans will find Brian pretentious to the extreme. I've had many hearty belly-laughs at his most severe insults (even when he is basically insulting me: "fat old lesbians" at Venice costume party). I like it but not everyone will.One definite plus is that rather than rushing from here to there to cover 6 locations in 5 minutes before rushing to cover the next city, he spends a good amount of time (with longer, slower camera shots) in primarily churches, museums, and archetectural treasures. He also occasionally explains why a painting is good (in addition to what story the painting tells).He clearly favors details regarding sexual improprieties, but not in a "bleep those words" kind of way.If you HATE the history of England's rich people, you might find his storyline an annoying waste of time.It verified for me WHICH cities to see, which not to see, and added one day trip to my travel plans. Plus, I'll undoubtedly watch it again, looking forward to the next pretentious insult. :)

If you love travel, art history, and, especially, Italy, and don't mind listening to a foppish and highly opinionated Englishman who can turn the chipping of a paving stone into a compelling, mesmerizing story, then you may be ready for Brian Sewell's GRAND TOUR. He is an acquired taste. Your first instinct on hearing him is to think and then say: Does anyone really talk like that??! Yes. He does. When you are past that astonishment, you begin to listen to him as he tells stories of the young 18th and early 19th century travelers as they set out to learn what in life really matters, This he does brilliantly. Brian Sewell is a wonder to watch, the shows are beautifully filmed and edited, and at the end you want to go back and watch it all over again. I consider it one of the very best art history travelogues ever made.

I really enjoyed the unique and personal perspective of this documentary, which follows the trail of the "Grand Tour" taken by aristocratic young Englishmen during the 18th century. Many reviews have panned Brian Sewell, and apparently these reviewers didn't enjoy his eccentricities, so this definitely isn't for everyone. But the entire series is available on Youtube, so you can watch it there first and decide whether you want to see it with DVD quality video.This is not a travelogue in the usual sense. While the basis of the narrative throughout all ten episodes is the 18th century Grand Tour, from crossing the Alps into Italy, making one's way down to Rome and Naples, and eventually heading back north to Carnival in Venice, Brian Sewell's personality dominates throughout, not only interjecting art history, for which Sewell is famous, but also reflections on his earlier re-tracing of the Grand Tour as a young man, a few asides on cars, of which he is an enthusiast, and a miscellany of other items.

Brian Sewell could never fail to be entertaining--seriously so. This is a very personal farewell visit to Italy that sparkles with a remarkable variety of information. At times he indulges a bit too much in what totters into an irritating snobbish bitterness--esp. in Venice. I think he could have avoided the hideous Carnival and concentrated on what he really loved about the city. However, his farewell Grand Tour is a joy that should not be missed, a summation by an unique connoisseur who had so much to share and did it with his signature élan. I had the pleasure of an unforgettable lunch with him while I was doing my doctorate at the Courtauld Institute of Art.

Released in 2006 'Brian Sewell's Grand Tour' is a joy! Love him or hate him (I'm a lover!) Mr Sewellis an entertaining and knowledgeable guide, following in the footsteps of well-heeled 18th Centuryyoung gentlemen for whom the Italian "Grand Tour" was an essential part of their cultural education.Our host's reminiscences of his own travels along this trail as a fledgling aficionado of all thingsartistic is an amusing, wistful and hugely entertaining introduction to the wonders of the Renaissance.Garrulous, grandiloquent and gloriously intolerant, his musings on painting, sculpture and architecture areas idiosyncratic as they are heartfelt. His incomparable and gloriously affected articulation is priceless!His peers may well be divided with regard to his opinions and legacy but I still miss him like hell.For further enlightenment about the man and his life do read the two volumes of his autobiography('Outsider : Always Almost : Never Quite', 2011 and 'Outsider II : Always Almost : Never Quite', 2012).A wonderful series and a tender monument to one of Britain's most intelligent and irascible mavericks.Highly Recommended.

I wish there had been more series with Mr Sewell. It is a joy to listen to his obvious deep knowledge of art but also his passion for what does, and doesn’t interest or delight him. His use of the English language is such an inspiration and one that I will never emulate, and his love of fine crafts a joy.I also enjoyed The Naked Pilgrim (which is probably my favourite out of the two).

I am a fan of the late Mr Sewell, many deride his comments and views, but he is one of the most open and honest critics there is (sorry...was). His interest in the Grand Tour, as he says, is genuine and this comes across in this delightful documentary. His delivery gives one the feeling that you are on the journey with him, standing beside him and in conversation with him, rather than being lectured at. There are exceptionally intimate and poignant times when it is clear Brian is aware it is the last time he will ever make a journey to Italy and therefore the last time he will see the great works of art and architecture; there is a moment when he looks at The Pietá in complete contemplation while all around him tour guides scurry. The juxtaposition fits the whole narrative of the programme. Facinating and Brian was a one-off.

Brian is delightfully cheeky, sarcastic, playful, intelligent and an all round joy to listen to. Warning, there are many references to homosexuality both subtle and blatant. Brian has little tolerance for fools and the ignorant and shows it, but he demonstrates his evenhandedness when he meets persons whom also know the subject matter. He shares personal stories and one feels like you are in the car with him on this great journey. Fantastic for ALL age groups from 16 up depending on the parental guidance you received. The amount you learn will depend on the amount of laughing you have to recover from.

What can I say ??? little I fear . His wonderful use of words , many I found myself looking up in a dictionary , both in his written works and visual . His descriptions of his Grand Tour and Pilgrimages were set in stone as it were On par with Pevsner . Wonderfully excercised in his written works that one hardly needed any film of his ' Tours ' . However the series of his Pilgrimages and Grand Tours were so marvellous and detailed . Just excellent . need I say more ?