China's Great Wall

"You're not a real man if you've not got to the Great Wall", Great Chairman Mao once said. For more than 2,000 years, the Emperors of China tried to protect their northern frontiers with walls. The gigantic brick construction that was finally erected is now China’s national icon: The Great Wall.

Episode 1 of this film recreates the archaic panorama of the Han Dynasty in the 2nd century B.C., when Emperor Han Wudi orders the construction of a 'long wall'. Hundreds of thousands of forced laborers build ramparts of packed earth, more than 5,000 kilometers long, tipped with forts and beacon towers.

In episode 2, the emperors of the Ming Dynasty hold center stage. In the 16th century they construct the greatest fortifications ever created by human hand, a stone colossus that snakes along the borders of the Middle Kingdom for over 6,000 kilometers.

Part 1: Mongol Invaders
Part 2: Protecting the Dragon

2 x 45' / 2 x 52'
ZDF, ZDF-E, National Geographic Channels International, National Geographic Channel US, SBS, in cooperation with CCTV and CITVC