China's achievement
A new landmark documentary based on best-selling author Gavin Menzies' book 1421: The Year China Discovered the World, 1421: The Year China Discovered America? investigates Menzies' controversial theory that a daring Chinese admiral sailing the largest wooden armada ever built reached America 71 years before Columbus.
Could Zheng He's incredible and intrepid fleet have shown European explorers the way to the West? 1421: The Year China Discovered America? investigates this startling possibility and uncovers the mystery surrounding Admiral Zheng He and the spectacular fleet of Ming treasure junks he commanded at the behest of Chinese Emperor Zhu Di in the early 15th century.
The two-hour special will premiere on Feb 6 at 8pm on UBC 25 and repeats on Feb 7 at non, Feb 9 at 6pm, Feb 10 at 2am and 10am, and Feb 13 at 8am.
Drawing together historical accounts, archaeology, and a wealth of information from consultations with contemporary historians, archaeologists and scientists, 1421: The Year China Discovered America? examines the evidence behind Menzies' theory, then puts it to the test. It also retraces the routes Menzies believes the Chinese took from Africa, to Europe, to the Caribbean and along the Eastern coast of the United States.
Menzies, a former British submarine commander who has devoted nine years to proving this theory, believes he has assembled evidence and new information that proves the Chinese did indeed discover and colonise America in advance of Columbus.
The documentary employs re-enactments, extensive location shooting, and innovative CGI models of the fleet itself, bringing to life 15th century China as an emerging supernation with an armada of treasure junks that dominated the Indian Ocean.
Zheng He sailed this fleet to far-flung outposts throughout the Eastern Hemisphere, establishing major ports and extending the commercial reach of ``the Middle Kingdom'' far beyond its previous boundaries.
The documentary is visually rich; the results are fascinating, often astounding and like Menzies' theory itself, highly controversial. We also hear from experts who presents opposing views to Menzies' theory.
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