In the Footsteps of Marco Polo FULL SPECIAL | PBS America

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  • Опубліковано 7 жов 2024
  • “In the Footsteps of Marco Polo” chronicles the journey of two ordinary guys as they set out to follow Polo's historic route. Equal parts travelogue, adventure story, history trek and buddy movie, the film weaves footage from the duo's often perilous voyage with Marco Polo's descriptions and experiences. #PBSAmerica #InTheFootstepsOfMarcoPolo #China #History
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    In the Footsteps of Marco Polo FULL SPECIAL | PBS America
    • In the Footsteps of Ma...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 157

  • @arturkowalski5809
    @arturkowalski5809 11 місяців тому +57

    Omg. I met these two madmen in Ulan Baator in 1994 and for a couple of weeks we travelled together. I was 20 years old at the time, crossing Eurasia overland. Absolutely insane trip. Frank and Dennis were so much fun! Made a hell of an impression on me. PBS describes them above as "two ordinary guys". Well, they were anything but ordinary. Btw, that's me @55:49, on top of a truck that we hitchhiked with as we were going west, towards Charchorin (Karakorum). A little bird accompanied us for hours, singing to us. Can't belive I'm seeing this now, almost 30 years later. Guys, if you're reading this, thank you for your company on that strange and wonderful journey!

    • @zerofox7347
      @zerofox7347 7 місяців тому +1

      That’s crazy. Did you know at the time they were making a documentary or did you think they were just videotaping their trip?

    • @Jo-Anne.Clarke
      @Jo-Anne.Clarke 7 місяців тому +1

      ✌🏻I see you!

    • @fridakahlua6674
      @fridakahlua6674 4 місяці тому +2

      Oh thats you? hahahahhah wowzer!

  • @molliem8192
    @molliem8192 2 роки тому +37

    My father was in the Armed Forces in Canada immigrated from England after the war. So I grew up in the Cold War. Move ahead years and my daughter after graduating high school and going to university asked if she could finish her studies off in China. I was reluctant. She went. She told me that people in China were just like us. The people she home stayed with asked all the same questions about us as we were asking about them. She said the only way to know people is to open your mind and go travel. People all around the world are just like us. So I took up her cause and I’ve travelled ever since. It’s true the more you travel and learn about the people and live with the people not just taking tours the more you appreciate how we really are all alike. I thank my daughter to this day for opening my eyes.

  • @christiandiemond9595
    @christiandiemond9595 2 роки тому +21

    The adventure of a lifetime..or perhaps two. What a life.

  • @Sirnkissako
    @Sirnkissako 8 місяців тому +7

    Made a similar journey in 1965, however without money and camera. Almost died. Have traveled ever since. Now living for 48 years in Japan and been almost 50 times to China since 1983. So I understand very well what they went through.

  • @carlsmith8815
    @carlsmith8815 Рік тому +28

    What a gem. Marco Polo was one of my early icons and in 1970 l went East from Europe to India overland and back by sea. . I remember Afghanistan as particularly medieval and awe inspiring...I am happy to have stumbled on this. I echo the sentiment .The world is great place, but you have to smell and feel it. The media is no substitute for being there alone.

    • @cruisepaige
      @cruisepaige Рік тому +3

      WoW!!! That must have been quite a trip! Yes, I agree about travel. I’ve been to 6 of 7 continents.

    • @Dan16673
      @Dan16673 Рік тому +1

      Wow 4realz?

    • @___beyondhorizon4664
      @___beyondhorizon4664 Рік тому +2

      I'm not Marco polo but I have been to 5 continents, except central Asia 😅 it's not how many countries I stepped foot into, but some places are so special that I have to visit more than once, for example, Turkey 4 times, Morocco twice etc. Some countries don't put a stamp on my passport but just a piece of paper like Macau, Hong Kong. My only regret is that the pandemic postponed my visit to Israel, but I did made it to Egypt and Jordan in 2021

    • @Dan16673
      @Dan16673 Рік тому

      @@___beyondhorizon4664 jordan and egypt are amazing

  • @tomshields3599
    @tomshields3599 2 роки тому +35

    Right on. Especially applaud the sentiment & advice at the end. This world truly is populated with MANY more good people than malicious. It’s time we all realize that & make it our superpower.

    • @Andy_Babb
      @Andy_Babb Рік тому

      But so, sooo many dumb people 🙄

  • @emiliayonekokumata7167
    @emiliayonekokumata7167 2 місяці тому +1

    What an INSANE and courageous adventure! 😮Congrats! You made it! My father came to Brazil as a teenage Japanese immigrant, and succeeded in here in search for a better living. I remember in my childhood, he used to mention quite often about Marco Polo. Certainly, Marco was his inspiration for long- distance journeys. When I lived in Japan in the mid-90s I took interest for the Silk Rode, a time we didn't have much access to information. Later, I could read on the National Geographic magazine about an amazing traveling tracking on Polo's route heading China and back to Venice. Now, just in 2024 I found this documentary. What a lifetime experience! Thanks a lot for sharing with us!

  • @christophlieding734
    @christophlieding734 8 місяців тому +5

    Danke from Germany. Really touching story and great guys. More good people then bad ones and try to live and enjoy the moment. Open your heart and let it shine.

  • @markroth9827
    @markroth9827 Рік тому +8

    Wow. What an incredible story. Thank you.

  • @rosescrio5303
    @rosescrio5303 2 роки тому +8

    Amazing and well done, you Guys. l love History. Marco Polo was one courageous man.

  • @HeiderosesPhotograph
    @HeiderosesPhotograph Рік тому +10

    What an incredible journey. This was my dream in 1991 to travel in the footsteps of Marco Polo right after I read the book about it. 1990 I traveled in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh with a friend and it was a more pleasant journey than yours. You are so brave. Thanks for this gorgeous video.

  • @sketchingsketch9163
    @sketchingsketch9163 2 роки тому +10

    Thank you for that beautiful and inspirational story! I would love to experience the same kind of grandeur of your travels in Asia. I went around Europe and Turkey earlier this year, even got in Ukraine just before it being unjustly terrorized. I am setting myself up for my birth continent in the future and hope for the best - An asian from Toronto.

  • @johnthorpe1349
    @johnthorpe1349 2 роки тому +10

    Truely Amazing Great Doc 😜 what a way of life 🇨🇦 Migwech from Toronto ❤️🇨🇦

  • @vcom2327
    @vcom2327 Рік тому +5

    An incredible journey!
    I was in several of the same places in China in 1983. This was before individual travellers were allowed in (I aquired a fake visa in Hong Kong). It was rare that I saw another foreigner. I traveled alone, with no knowledge of Chinese, and no guide book (none existed).
    Rarely did I meet a Chinese who could speak English.
    My reception in Beijing was similar. "No" and "foreign devil" were the first Chinese words I learned too!
    I was an object of curiosity, as few had ever seen a foreigner. I remember 30 Chinese faces pushed against the windows of the restaurant, watching me eat, for 1 hour.
    I left China via the Trans-Siberian train to Berlin, crossing Mongolia and Russia.
    Quite an adventure!!

  • @susannalewis903
    @susannalewis903 Рік тому +14

    Loved this! Beautiful story, adventurous experiences, wonderful photography of peoples and places from all over the East. You feel as if you are traveling and adventuring with the two guys! I was a former peace corps volunteer in Iran in the 60's. This brings back so many memories!!

  • @katyu16
    @katyu16 Рік тому +1

    I have read Marco Polo's travels since high school and would never have imagined that anyone would travel in his footsteps even in the 1990's. THANK YOU.

  • @jaydravich7015
    @jaydravich7015 Рік тому +5

    I loved this video. I had just finished reading Marco Polo's book and found this video because I couldn't figure out where he was traveling. But I never expected such a magnificent travelog. I was literally crying (I'm 78 and I don't cry so easily) at the end. These two guys are an incredible inspiration.

  • @charleskristiansson1296
    @charleskristiansson1296 24 дні тому

    Authentic, daring, unorthodox, dangerous, fascinating - Francis and Dennis made the most unique journey literally revisiting antiquity in every sense 1993/4.

  • @liziuhh
    @liziuhh Рік тому +2

    I first saw this documentary around the time it got uploaded here, and I have to say, this is my favorite documentary of all time. Their story is incredible. I would love to meet them.

  • @makhetefall8003
    @makhetefall8003 2 роки тому +8

    YOU MADE ME CRY. i WANTED TO GO WITH YOU GUYS.

  • @arthurdent2817
    @arthurdent2817 7 місяців тому +1

    Great doco what an amazing adventure must’ve been so weird going home to America & normal life after that.

  • @___beyondhorizon4664
    @___beyondhorizon4664 Рік тому +5

    This was 1990's Chinese was slowly open to the world.
    Ewin McGregor did a motorcycle trip around the world in the 2000. From London to Eastern Europe, to Russia , Mongolia, thru Siberia and flew to Alaska, and ended up in NYC. This journey is called LONG WAY ROUND.
    His second journey was from north Africa to south Africa, that journey was called LONG WAY DOWN, also on his Bike.
    The latest one was LONG WAY UP, from the last city in south America to LA. It was on Apple tv but I haven't seen it because I don't have a TV since 2009😅
    I too,😢 am a world traveler, I don't need a TV 😅

  • @fridakahlua6674
    @fridakahlua6674 4 місяці тому +1

    i cant get enough of this documentary. I wish it was around the world.

  • @raymondc6249
    @raymondc6249 2 роки тому +7

    Waoow...Sooooooooooooo good, loved every second of this, and the quotes at the end were just pitch perfect.. Thank You

  • @MANFREDW1000
    @MANFREDW1000 2 місяці тому

    Great movie documentary, for an old traveller to see, those are real feelings and adventures.

  • @hmj1116
    @hmj1116 2 роки тому +12

    Bravo gentlemen you are inspiring I have been to some of those places you two went to got photos of all our traveling we loved to travel nowadays at old age we just watch others do it !

  • @lynnbeck6877
    @lynnbeck6877 8 місяців тому +1

    What a remarkable & dangerous journey ! Glad they traveled in the 90's before the world went nuts. No chance of successfully completing that trip now ......

  • @cruisepaige
    @cruisepaige Рік тому +3

    Oh gosh I’m crying at the will at the end.

  • @remlya
    @remlya Рік тому +9

    Wonderful. Wish they had explained how they managed to power their camera the whole time and what they did with all the tapes. Can’t imagine keeping everything they recorded with them in case it was destroyed.

  • @johnnysechrist6313
    @johnnysechrist6313 2 роки тому +7

    AMAZING😃

  • @jimbt9889
    @jimbt9889 2 роки тому +8

    I love this channel

  • @BarbaraWillis-wi4pq
    @BarbaraWillis-wi4pq 4 місяці тому

    I LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF YOUR ROUTE OF MARCO POLO. I am a World Traveler myself. I've wanted to travel to the Stands myself but have been reluctant because of their ideas of Women. I just never felt this would be a safe trip. I have spent time in Turkey, and you are so right about how great the People are. My next trip will for sure be to Mongolia and the Steps with the Nomads. By the way, my Daughter has lived in Hong Kong the last 6 years on a teaching job. I will be watching for your next great Adventure. I can become an addiction.

  • @lilihammond2570
    @lilihammond2570 Рік тому +6

    "Travel is the enemy of bigotry". Francis O'Donnell

  • @2gulfalco
    @2gulfalco 2 роки тому +3

    they are so awesome!

  • @abhishekdarji
    @abhishekdarji Рік тому

    Love the stories of Marco Polo, what a legend . .

  • @danielsauerbrey
    @danielsauerbrey Рік тому +1

    Fantastic journey, can’t believe the difficulty in places, reminds me how grateful I am in the US for the most part for freedoms 🙏🏽🌞

  • @gardengeek3041
    @gardengeek3041 7 місяців тому

    I've done only a fraction of the type of travel shown here, but totally empathize with the travails and rewards encountered. The greatest unknown, and worst source of stress is dealing with bureaucracy in totalitarian regimes.
    It's gets worse if you can't read the rules or speak the language. Even worse if that country is in the midst of political turmoil within, or there is animosity with neighboring countries.
    Somehow the bureaucracy remains intact where there is turmoil. It even becomes more rigid.
    However, for every time one hits a log jam, ( such as being stuck in one place far too long) it is usually balanced out by some amazing, unexpected act of courtesy that hastens you to your goal ... and may even put you ahead of schedule.

  • @patriciasmith9936
    @patriciasmith9936 Рік тому +2

    I thoroughly enjoyed this voyage. As an elder, I am virtually traveling and your trip was incredible. I had just started a bio of Marco and then I found your adventure. So glad you posted it

  • @suziperret468
    @suziperret468 2 роки тому +3

    Two thumbs up! Bravo!

  • @vijayagita3158
    @vijayagita3158 Рік тому +8

    Very honest and compelling to watch, thank you.

  • @vinayakghadge6869
    @vinayakghadge6869 8 місяців тому

    I was reading Medieval History of India, got to know about Marco Polo.I was surprised at how can the same person be at Indonesia,India,China and alot of surrounding areas,and on top of that, at that time.
    Searched the Wikipedia for any documentary on him, and got yours.
    Watching this video, now I am more amazed at how and why people were passing those mountainous regions for wars, where even travelling is so much tedious.
    Thanks for this masterpiece.

  • @tadrod2323
    @tadrod2323 Рік тому +2

    congratulations guys,amazing

  • @sjferguson
    @sjferguson Рік тому

    How wonderful! What an amazing journey and my goodness the memories. Thank you for making this available for viewing. Really wonderful story.

  • @stephenyang2844
    @stephenyang2844 Рік тому

    Thanks for PBS putting up these videos, the world will be abetter place when people understand foreign places. O'Donnell and Belliveau did a good job showing their experiences. Chines said 'walk ten thousand miles, learn more than reading ten thousand books', life is richer.

  • @rosemaryparker2567
    @rosemaryparker2567 2 роки тому +2

    Watching to see your journey its great. Also dennis is so cute will watch just cause of him,right ladies

  • @DeboraDavies
    @DeboraDavies 6 місяців тому

    Amazing video! Amazing Journey! Amazing 2 human beings that will never forget how amazing their lives was! For the rest of their lives they will be so proud of this journey! ❤❤❤❤

  • @kbs5150
    @kbs5150 6 місяців тому +2

    Not about Marco Polo. It's about 2 guys. How brave they were

  • @athenadiakos805
    @athenadiakos805 14 днів тому

    Brilliant ,, I'm sure you could make 20 more doccies with all the stories/footage you collected - I would watch them all

  • @denveradultgymnastic
    @denveradultgymnastic 2 роки тому +4

    Great video @PBSamerica

  • @manuelarmenta5972
    @manuelarmenta5972 2 роки тому +3

    God bless brothers,keep it up as best & be safe. P.S.¡ Great Job !

  • @candausc
    @candausc Рік тому +3

    Funny how they said if they see a car, they'll pretend its not there @ 8:49 yet... They were seen riding in one 💀lol @ 10:46

  • @alcalc61
    @alcalc61 Рік тому +2

    This was inspiring 👑

  • @nathanielmadera3702
    @nathanielmadera3702 2 роки тому +2

    love them adventurist

  • @JT-dd1to
    @JT-dd1to 8 місяців тому

    Amazing! I enjoyed this video and learned a lot. Thank you

  • @huaxingtong9180
    @huaxingtong9180 3 місяці тому

    Great expedition, nice documentary.Cheers from Brasil🇧🇷

  • @franciscorodriguez2457
    @franciscorodriguez2457 2 роки тому +1

    I watched it years ago I enjoyed very much I read the Marco polo book

  • @budojitsu1
    @budojitsu1 Рік тому

    Absolutely amazing

  • @johncope8368
    @johncope8368 Рік тому

    Thank you! Outstanding.

  • @Lauradtp75
    @Lauradtp75 7 місяців тому

    Fantastic journey and video!!!!!👍😊

  • @fnhc2023
    @fnhc2023 2 роки тому +4

    ….luv it! No regrets. Have their book from,library lecture by Francis. Hope y’all are great and memories abound

  • @beregu
    @beregu Рік тому

    Amazing story and courage.

  • @cestmoi1262
    @cestmoi1262 7 місяців тому +1

    There is so much more going on behind the scenes that we are not shown (my suspicion). How do you finance it, how do you "happen" to know people in high places, are there other tour members involved behind the camera, other people making arrangements ? I think it would be interesting to see what it takes to make an adventure like this happen.

  • @marcuscollins7018
    @marcuscollins7018 Рік тому

    What a cool adventure!! Hats off. Respect

  • @rogueironman
    @rogueironman Рік тому

    Wow, what a great adventure.

  • @tarasisan
    @tarasisan Рік тому

    Incredible journey

  • @BENDISGamesCom
    @BENDISGamesCom Рік тому +1

    Wow !

  • @ravslayer2656
    @ravslayer2656 Рік тому +1

    Good on you guys awsome effort when you got back to Italy did you go to Croatia 🇭🇷 where his house still is and where he is from

    • @domusterra3261
      @domusterra3261 4 місяці тому

      He is not from Croatia, that's just a lie of croatian locals on Korcula

  • @johnnychannel7824
    @johnnychannel7824 2 роки тому +10

    I want to trade all of my possessions that I could travel like two lovely guys, but my possessions are valued at under $1000.

    • @mariatorres5563
      @mariatorres5563 2 роки тому +1

      So with you guys possessions worth only 1000 dollars, with that amount of money you might be able to get to the next state over thats it...🤣🤣🤣

    • @amudham06
      @amudham06 Рік тому

      😂😂😂🤷🏻‍♀️

    • @Palaeodantic
      @Palaeodantic Рік тому +1

      @@mariatorres5563 yet you can’t afford humility. Sad.

    • @bradcalkins1428
      @bradcalkins1428 Рік тому

      Lovely???

  • @staciehahn9175
    @staciehahn9175 2 роки тому +4

    That would have been so scary to travel across all those countries… But, if I had to do it, I go with a US Marine, too!

  • @1974hurt
    @1974hurt Місяць тому

    Love it

  • @susansmiles2630
    @susansmiles2630 2 роки тому

    Thank you!

  • @rabotnickaklasa
    @rabotnickaklasa 8 місяців тому

    Great documentary, now guys follow Ibn Batuta way, much more places and countries.

  • @beregu
    @beregu Рік тому +1

    54:47 Mongols are milk eating people. Spot on… 😂

  • @fuferito
    @fuferito Рік тому +1

    These guys should re-trace their _own_ steps now, thirty years later and remark on how much things have changed in this relatively short time.

  • @starduck8014
    @starduck8014 2 роки тому

    Fantastic X Love this channel

  • @karenralph1785
    @karenralph1785 Рік тому

    Wow ❤❤❤

  • @gordonfrickers5592
    @gordonfrickers5592 Рік тому +2

    Almost incredible, sincere congratulations.
    Artist to artists, my adventures seem to me very minor compared with your achievement.

  • @CoolKandahary1
    @CoolKandahary1 6 місяців тому

    Nice film, loved the afghan scenes.

  • @diongood8556
    @diongood8556 3 місяці тому

    Has this been digitally remastered? It looks better than I remember.

  • @johnthorpe1349
    @johnthorpe1349 2 роки тому +2

    That's crazy dude looks like the same guy that did Anthony Bourdain tattoo that's wild 🤪💯 Migwech 🇨🇦

  • @___beyondhorizon4664
    @___beyondhorizon4664 Рік тому +1

    I was almost stuck in Neweiba Egypt on September 28 & 29,2021. My 30 days Visa was expiring, i could not buy a ferry ticket to Aqaba Jordan, fir 2 days, all sold out. I show them my visa with tears 😭 that i must continue on to Jordan and my flight in Amman. I stayed outside the ferry ticket office for 10 hours and eventually they sold me a ticket, i paid all my remaining Egyption pound so quickly before any changes!!! 😢

  • @natureaddict6600
    @natureaddict6600 Рік тому

    Bravo

  • @marcvezper4497
    @marcvezper4497 Рік тому +1

    Dankon kaj gratulojn el Brazilo.🇧🇷

  • @spankyswank9174
    @spankyswank9174 2 роки тому

    Very nice.i want to trace the Vikings like that.

  • @jamesfarris7657
    @jamesfarris7657 Рік тому

    I wish they would reunite and do a sequel; it would be wonderful , and maybe I would tag along too

  • @needlepark212
    @needlepark212 2 місяці тому +1

    11:00 already broke their rule by traveling by car.

  • @rickphoenix5638
    @rickphoenix5638 2 роки тому +4

    What an adventure to tell the grandchildren. Made me want to get off my rear-end and grab a Starbucks

  • @abdirauf7948
    @abdirauf7948 Рік тому +1

    Don't forget ibn batuta the greatest traveler ever in the early 13th

  • @chris.asi_romeo
    @chris.asi_romeo Рік тому

    I wanna do the same. A great adventure

  • @empirei8513
    @empirei8513 Рік тому

    Great video on Marco, but in my opinion Ibn Batuta was even greater

  • @antwindaugdaug5346
    @antwindaugdaug5346 Рік тому

  • @CameronInEgyptsLand
    @CameronInEgyptsLand 2 роки тому +1

    Maaarrrcooo

  • @zerofox7347
    @zerofox7347 7 місяців тому

    1:23:24 is that a brass rattle?

  • @prettypurple7175
    @prettypurple7175 Рік тому

    BAMBINO MARCO POLO/////

  • @williamhoole2065
    @williamhoole2065 2 роки тому +2

    Wiping off the mouthpiece of the pipe before smoking is offensive in 99% of countries

  • @geraldusaf3704
    @geraldusaf3704 9 місяців тому

    While visiting Persia Marco Polo says "...and other corns." Can someone tell me this is a bad translation? Because corn came from the Americas much later...it's bugging me!

  • @SuzanaKirovska-fg5vf
    @SuzanaKirovska-fg5vf 7 місяців тому

    You need fleas to get to the Flea market...( Buhara😂)

  • @josephwatts314
    @josephwatts314 8 місяців тому

    Sitting here in a Louisiana Ice Storm (rare) W/out F/Wood & minimal heat ! It's uncomfortable , but never so inspired ! Thank you , UA-cam & 1/2 case of wine! I will remember your journey for the rest of my life! You have given me the fortitude to see the beauty of it all ! " I have learned" ! 🦘💙

  • @liyan542
    @liyan542 2 роки тому +1

    meiyou,:没有,yao bu yao: 要不要

  • @FrankLowe1949
    @FrankLowe1949 6 днів тому

    Look at these people ? Me i dont want to leave my flat.?