Civilisation

At this confusing moment in our history when so much television is devoted to hawking Man’s failures, viewers on both sides of the Atlantic have been refreshed by a gloriously intelligent celebration of Man’s accomplishments in the BBC series, Civilisation, which was written and narrated with wit, style, and passion by Kenneth Clark. His cameras rested leisurely and lovingly on their subjects; the musical background was an enhancement rather than a distraction; and Lord Clark’s keen sense of humor and history was unfailing in this fascinating adventure. It would be unsuitable to honor Civilisation without noting that its presentation in this country was funded by Xerox, whose continuing interest in public television has evidenced a corporate “civilisation” of equal distinction.