This film follows the first emperor of China’s legendary rise, reign and fall, and employs cutting edge science to unlock the secrets of his tomb.
The emperor, Chin Shi Huang Di, is compared to Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar for commanding millions, uniting China and building the Great Wall.
Though revered in the East, most westerners have had little knowledge of the great warrior, until now.
The First Emperor: The Man Who Made China transports viewers to ancient China, bringing the Emperor’s story to life.
Filmed on location in China, the western crew were granted unprecedented access to Emperor Chin’s legendary seven square mile underground burial complex.
Filled with more than 8,000 figures, including the terracotta army of soldiers, the Emperor designed it to celebrate his political and military power, and to achieve continued glory in the afterlife.
Two thousand years after his death, ground-penetrating radar combined with CGI illustrate the shape, layout and design of the largest unopened tomb in the world, revealed on-screen for the first time.
The special also proves true the legend that Emperor Chin was buried amid a map of his empire flowing with rivers of liquid mercury, which at the time was believed to prolong life.
Broadcaster: Channel 4/Discovery Channel
TX Date: January 2006
Total Episodes: 1
Duration: 102 mins
Executive Producer(s): Richard Bradley, Bill Locke
Useful Links: Channel 4
Distribution Information: c4i Distribution
Buy Merchandise: DVD
Press Comments: “Exploration of a potentially fascinating subject... this film contains some stunning footage of Qin’s tomb...spectacular scenes enacted in gorgeous locations… As a five-act tragedy, it was near enough perfect” - Guardian
“Compelling…interesting…. vividly realised” - Daily Telegraph
“A two-hour television program that combines high-level documentary techniques with engaging drama to tell the story of the monster who created China more than 2,000 years ago.” - Hollywood Reporter