Rossellini's History Films: Renaissance and Enlightenment (Criterion Collection - Eclipse Series 14)

First, director/co-writer Roberto Rossellini's stunning cinematic portrait of 17th-century French theologian "Blaise Pascal" (1971) chronicles the daring crusade Pascal (Pierre Arditi) undertook to develop a scientific comprehension of the natural world in the midst of many arguing for more superstitious worldviews. Rita Forzano, Christian De Sica co-star. Next, Rossellini offers an epic tribute to Florentine art, "The Age of the Medici" (1972), in which a gallery of priceless masterpieces traces its history through the lives of the famed Renaissance merchant family. Marcello Di Falco, Virgilio Gazzolo star. Finally, Rossellini's "Cartesius" (1974) follows the exploits of René Descartes (Ugo Cardea), a French mathematician, scientist, and writer renowned as the "father of modern philosophy" and strident in his efforts to usher in an age of reason in the 17th century. Anne Pouchie, Claude Berthy co-star in the historical drama. 9 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: Italian, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; featurette. In French and Italian with English subtitles. Three-disc set.