Building the Great Cathedrals

The Gothic cathedrals are marvellous human achievements in architecture and artistry. Building the Great Cathedrals investigates how medieval architects were able to conceive and construct grand religious buildings such as Beauvais Cathedral in France. It explores the logistics of acquiring stone and other materials used in cathedral construction, discusses how such an endeavour could require the manpower of entire towns, and examines how construction on some sites passed from one living architect to the next.

The documentary then turns to a discussion of how many of these great works are in decline, if not ruin. It highlights the collaborative efforts of international groups of artisans, architects, engineers, and other learned professionals in the pursuit of preserving and restoring the cathedrals, while also informing the audience about the specific techniques originally used to construct these buildings. The film also serves as an introduction to the vocabulary of religious architecture.