Terra X – Expeditions
Great explorers like Alfred Wegener, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, and Georg Forster profoundly changed our outlook on the known world. Meteorologist and polar explorer Alfred Wegener is viewed as the founder of modern climatology. Johann Ludwig Burckhardt traveled the Middle East in the guise of an Arabic merchant, discovering the legendary city of Petra. Georg Forster was among the first German explorers who went on a voyage around the globe, winning world-wide fame with his documentation of the South Seas.
In this three-part documentary, actor Robert Atzorn takes the audience into the time and the world of these great explorers. At the original locations of their daring expeditions, he hunts for clues of their exploits that can still be found even so many years after the fact.
Expedition ins ewige Eis – Alfred Wegener
In the spring of 1930, Alfred Wegener sets out on his third Greenland expedition, which is supposed to be the peak of his career. Over the course of one year, he and his staff plan on gathering data from high up in the atmosphere and from deep within the mainland ice shelf – the beginning of modern climatology. But extreme weather conditions, lacking provisions, and faulty equipment turn the expedition into a race against death itself.
Expeditition in die Wüste – Johann Ludwig Burckhardt
In the spring of 1809, a young merchant named Sheikh Ibrahim reaches the Syrian city of Aleppo. It is in fact Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, who is traveling on behalf of Great Britain as a secret agent. Disguised as a Muslim, he intends to explore the river Niger in central Africa – a dangerous undertaking. On his journey, he discovers the long-lost desert city of Petra and the temples of Abu Simbel. Starting out as an agent, his expedition into the desert transform him into a friend and expert of the Islamic-Arabic world.
Expedition in die Südsee – Georg Forster
In 1772, 17 year-old Georg Forster is given the opportunity of accompanying James Cook on a great sailing voyage around the world. On this journey, Cook discovers islands and people, but Forster discovers approximately 400 previously unknown species of animals and plants. He is one of the very first ethnologists. After his return home, Forster supports the French Revolution, because his journey strengthens his belief that no-one can be allowed to exploit any people. He is therefore branded as a traitor in Germany and has to go into exile in Paris.
TerraX - Backstage
Written by: | Matthias Unterburg, Gabriele Wengler, Friedrich Klütsch, Tom Ockers, Frank Vorpahl |
Directed by: | Gabriele Wengler, Sandra Papadopoulos, Friedrich Klütsch, Tom Ockers |
Director of Photography: | Hans Jacobi |
Executive Producer: | Jörg Kunkel |
Producer: | Susanne Stenner |
Head of Production: | Ulrich Lenze |
TV Editor: | Heike Schmidt und Jens Monath |
Locations: | Germany, England, South Seas, Jordan, Egypt, Marocco |
Shooting: | March 2011 to (probably) June 2011 |
Produced for: | ZDF |
