Great Writers: Joseph Conrad DVD

Great Writers

Joseph Conrad

A fascinating documentary that presents the story of the writer's life, as well as examines the social and political events that influenced their works. This program includes insightful commentary, as well as archival documents and rare interviews.

Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) was born on December 3rd, 1857 near Berdichev, Poland (now in the Ukraine), the son of a Polish noble. From his father, the boy acquired a love of literature, including romantic tales of the sea. He was orphaned at the age of 12 and when he turned 16 he left Russian-occupied Poland and made his way to Marseille, France. For the next four years, he shipped on French vessels. He then entered the British merchant service, becoming a master mariner and a British subject in 1886.

Writing did not come easily to Conrad, although he produced 13 novels, 2 volumes of memoirs, and 28 short stories. Conrad's life at sea and in foreign ports furnished the background for much of his writing, giving rise to the impression that he was primarily committed to the exotic. In reality, however, his major interest was the human condition.

Conrad's best known novel is Lord Jim (1900). Among his other notable works are The Secret Agent (1907), Under Western Eyes (1911), Victory (1915), and the short story Heart of Darkness (1902). Conrad died at Bishopsbourne, near Canterbury, on August 3rd, 1924.

Production by Kultur Video, 2006
4:3 Full Screen, Color, 45 mins, Dolby 2.0
Format: NTSC, Region 1 (USA & Canada)
Language: English
Genre: Documentary, Literature