Butterfly Effect

25min

Documentary

Our History is no more than a series of incredible events. From the birth of a thousand-year-old empire to the death of a flourishing civilization, from the creative genius of a handful of men to a worldwide cultural revolution, the most infinitesimal of our decisions can influence the future of humanity. Every episode guides us to revisit a key event, a crossroads in our History where the world swings one way or the other. With spectacular reconstructions created by 3D modeling specialists, every story is told in sequences, which gives new perspective for today.

Production Companies

Les Films de la Butte

M.A.D. Film

ARTE GEIE

Episodes

Cast

Bouvines, France in danger

1. Bouvines, France in danger

25min

2nd Oct 2016

A series of battles in France had an impact on modern day Europe and the fates of three countries down to our modern century. What might have happened if Richard the Lionheart had not been wounded? Or Philippe Auguste of France had fled the battlefield?

Genghis Khan: The Empire of the Steppes

2. Genghis Khan: The Empire of the Steppes

25min

9th Oct 2016

How did the events of his childhood shape the man who would become Genghis Khan? What impact did the Mongol invasions have on the history of Asia and on the psyche of Europe?

Alexander Becomes Great

3. Alexander Becomes Great

25min

16th Oct 2016

What if Alexander had not died at the age of 32? What if he had listened to advisors and returned to Macedonia instead of going on his worldwide conquest? How does the legacy of ideals and leadership left from Alexander's time resonate today?

Sekigahara, the battle of Samurai

4. Sekigahara, the battle of Samurai

25min

23rd Oct 2016

The shape of Japan's internal politics and the country's response to external influences for centuries can be traced back to the choices of two warlords and a decisive battle. What was the Edo Period and how did it mold Japanese society?

Darwin discovering the world

5. Darwin discovering the world

25min

30th Oct 2016

Picture the last two hundred years without the publication of Darwin's "On The Origin of Species" -- how might the scientific conversation have developed? What were the influences in Victorian England during Darwin's youth and how tenuous was his opportunity for sailing on the Beagle's voyage?

Chernobyl, a reactor out of control

6. Chernobyl, a reactor out of control

25min

6th Nov 2016

The decisions of only a handful of individuals determined the course of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. What transpired over a few hours would have an impact on the local community Russia Europe and the globe.

A bus for Martin Luther King

7. A bus for Martin Luther King

25min

13th Nov 2016

What would the Civil Rights movement in the USA have been like if Martin Luther King Jr. had not been motivating change? How does the legacy of the American Civil War still affect the American democracy?

Confucius and Chinese thought

8. Confucius and Chinese thought

25min

20th Nov 2016

The choices that Kong Qui known in the West as Confucius made during his career as a civil servant and administrator influenced an entire civilization. What if Kong Qui had been as opportunistic and corrupt as other officials? How might the fate of China and its worldview be changed?

Andrinople, Rome vs Barbarians

9. Andrinople, Rome vs Barbarians

25min

27th Nov 2016

The untimely death of the Roman Emperor of the Western Empire and the poor decisions of the Roman Emperor of the Eastern Empire change the fortunes of the Roman Army in their battle with the Goths. And this changes the future of Europe.

Einstein and the Manhattan Project

10. Einstein and the Manhattan Project

25min

4th Dec 2016

A famous scientist wrote the President of the United States and the face of war and our world was changed forever. How and why did humanity develop a weapon capable of almost total destruction?

Rock, freedom and decibels

11. Rock, freedom and decibels

25min

11th Dec 2016

Elvis Presley paid $4 to record two songs for his mother and the rest as they say is history. But without Elvis would rock and roll have gone the same route? And how have the many iterations of rock and roll developed and changed our taste and culture since the 1950's?

Space Conquest, a little trip to the moon

12. Space Conquest, a little trip to the moon

25min

18th Dec 2016

What is the future of the human presence in space? How might things be different if there had not been a Cold War and a Space Race? What does humanity gain by venturing into our solar system...and beyond?

The Internet, the origins of the web

13. The Internet, the origins of the web

25min

25th Dec 2016

What if the source codes for the internet had remained with the US military rather than being released to the world? How did our lives of unfettered internet access become a reality?

First air date

2nd Oct 2016

Last air date

6th Oct 2021

Status

Returning Series

Type

Documentary

Original language

fr

Networks