Beatus: The Spanish Apocalypse

This documentary explores the art, history and cultural ramifications of one of Spain's greatest national treasures, the corpus of illuminated and illustrated medieval manuscripts based on the 8th century apocalyptic commentary by the monk, Saint Beatus. Filmed on location in Spain, the documentary journeys through the towns, villages, routes, churches and monasteries behind the making of the 27 currently surviving manuscripts. Professor John Williams, who has devoted over three decades to the study of these manuscripts, acts as the documentary's guide and historian. On a Journey across Spain, he recreates the historical, cultural, religious and artistic context in which the 8Th to 12Th century Spanish monks lived, showcasing how much these manuscripts have shaped Spanish national identity and its artistic and cultural heritage.