Video: Building the Great Pyramid

How and why the Great Pyramid was built has been puzzling man for 4,500 years and many believe that even with our 21st century technology, we could not build anything like it today.

Based on the most up-to-date research and the latest archeological discoveries, and combining extensive location scouting with dramatic reconstruction and state of the art CGI, Building the Great Pyramid raises the representation of the ancient past onto a completely new level. It does not just tell us how and why the most extraordinary of all human monuments was built – it shows us. And it does this by following a young Egyptian man, Nahkt, who is conscripted from his village to work on the Great Pyramid and works his way up the ranks to a senior overseer.

From the wizards who brought Ancient Rome to life in Gladiator, and featuring renowned actor Omar Sharif (Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago) as the voice of Nahkt, comes an exciting new film chronicling the construction of the last surviving wonder of the ancient world.

Stunning Effects From The Team Behind Gladiator And Cutting-Edge Research Mark This Breathtaking Documentary Coming March 4 To DVD and VHS.

They have taken people Walking With Dinosaurs and to the depths of The Blue Planet. Now, BBC Video will take viewers back through the sands of time for an epic tour of the greatest monument ever built with the awe-inspiring Building the Great Pyramid. Combining stunning CGI special effects developed by the wizards behind the Academy Award™-winning Gladiator and groundbreaking archaeological findings, Building the Great Pyramid presents the first true look at the origin of this mysterious architectural wonder.

The definitive story behind this ancient marvel is further brought to life through a unique storytelling method. Construction is seen through the eyes of Nakht, one of the thousands of men who came from afar to help build the desert giant. Nakht is voiced by international star Omar Sharif (Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Zhivago) who provides a personal narrative feel to an extraordinary documentary.

Garnering an astounding 8.5 million viewers (a 34% share) during its recent airing on the BBC in the UK, Building the Great Pyramid will be available on DVD and VHS March 4 - just two days after its highly anticipated debut on The Discovery Channel.

Presented in widescreen format with sparkling stereo sound, the Building the Great Pyramid DVD will take viewers beyond the TV experience. It will include an additional 10 minutes of footage not seen on the Discovery Channel broadcast, as well as an array of captivating bonus features. These include an intriguing "making of" featurette, fascinating "Before and After" vignettes about the special effects, Great Pyramid fact files, beautiful photo galleries and trailers. The Building the Great Pyramid DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $14.98 while the VHS is priced at $9.95.

Building the Great Pyramid Synopsis
Tackling many of the myths and beliefs surrounding its construction, Building the Great Pyramid tells the story of the Great Pyramid through the eyes of one of the men who built it, Nakht. Nakht (Sharif) is not a real historical figure, but every aspect of his life is based on real evidence, down to the clothes he wears. Viewers follow Nakht from where he is conscripted, along with his brother in their tiny village, through their trip up the Nile, culminating with the building - and completion - of the Great Pyramid