The King's Skeleton: Richard III Revealed

The King's Skeleton: Richard III Revealed is a riveting documentary that takes the audience on a mesmerizing journey through one of the most amazing archaeological discoveries of the 21st century. This documentary follows a compelling narrative of the quest to discover King Richard III's grave which remained a mystery for centuries until it was accidentally found under a car park in Leicester, England in 2012.

The film, directed by Gary Johnstone, does not merely follow a historical path. Instead, it delves deep into the fascinating and multilayered tale of a king who, for centuries, has been widely known through Shakespeare's play as a villainous hunchback. The movie challenges these assumptions and provides a more nuanced exploration of Richard III's life and reign, providing viewers with an opportunity to examine the controversial historical figure from a new angle.

The backbone of The King's Skeleton: Richard III Revealed is the painstaking process of scientific investigation and archaeological dig that led to the confirmation of Richard III's remains. It shows how modern science has made it possible to reach across the abyss of time and make definitive deductions about a person who was partially obscured by the fog of history. Key players such as The University of Leicester, Richard III Society, and Leicester City Council collaborated to ensure this historical mystery was solved.

The drama unfolds as an interdisciplinary team of archaeologists, historians, and geneticists wrestle with the clues they unearth. Viewers get a firsthand view of how archaeology operates on-ground, chronicling the rigorous, meticulous work of the experts at the Grey Friars dig site. There are plenty of discussions about the painstaking methods in archaeology, about the observations deduced from the skeleton itself, and about the scientific analysis that was conducted to confirm or reject the identification.

A big chunk of the documentary is also devoted to ensuring that viewers understand the historical context. Testimonies and texts on Richard III are scrutinized and juxtaposed against the skeletal evidence, making history come alive through storytelling and discovery. The documentary does an admirable job shedding light on the storied past of the Wars of the Roses as well as the final years of the Plantagenet line.

The King's Skeleton: Richard III Revealed builds intrigue by presenting various strings of evidence individually before weaving them together. This includes the geographic location, the injuries present on the skeleton indicative of a violent death, the signs of scoliosis which was in line with the historical accounts of Richard III's appearance, and the DNA matching with the descendants of King Richard III's family. Yet it's to the documentary's credit that it doesn't take these facts as given but rather shows the audience ‘how’ these facts are discerned and debated.

Johnstone carefully orchestrates the narrative to make it accessible to history buffs and novices alike. The presentation’s pacing and tone keep the audience engaged, and there’s a satisfying sense of progression as each piece of the puzzle is laid out. This makes the documentary not just an excellent piece of historical filmmaking, but an intriguing detective story that unravels before your eyes.

Despite its focus on scientific evidence, The King's Skeleton: Richard III Revealed also acknowledges the emotional impact of its findings, both among the research team and the wider public. For many, this wasn’t just a chance to make a significant archaeological find, but also an opportunity to redefine and humanize a much-maligned historical figure.

Altogether, The King's Skeleton: Richard III Revealed is an absolute must-watch. It's a film that does more than just recount a search. It brings to the forefront the relevance and vitality of history, archaeology, and genetics. Above all, it reiterates that the past is very much a presence, as tangible and significant as the soil beneath a parking lot.