Britain's Most Fragile Treasure (2011) Reviews

• Routine Documentary on the Restoration of the East Window of York Minster

  l_rawjalaurence2016-05-19

  Take one young(ish) presenter with a doctorate to their name, add a few experts - preferably with academic credibility, some historic locations (that the camera can survey through a combination of pans and close-ups), some atmospheric music and (if possible) readings by a star actor, and you have the perfect recipe for a BBC documentary. I am not trying to denigrate Paul Tilzey's production, which tried to explain the significance of York Minster's historic East Window; but in this case the somewhat stereotyped content worked against rather than enhanced the form. Presenter Janina Ramirez claims somewhat portentously at the beginning that she will try and "uncover" the truths behind the stained glass in the window; the history of the world from the Creation to the Last Judgement; while giving insights into how medieval Britons lived, as well as offering insights into our contemporary world. In essence she fulfills her purpose with the help of the experts mentioned earlier on; but we are nonetheless left wondering whether the knowledge that Ramirez purports to share with us is actually unknowable, especially to those unable (or unwilling) to commune with God. This is perhaps an heretical thing to say, especially for western viewers brought up in traditions of Enlightenment rationalism; but when looking at televisual images of the window, as represented in glorious color, we feel that despite her obvious enthusiasm for her task, Ramirez can never fulfill it.