The Silk Road (1980): cast, story & where to watch
1980 · Film · ★ 9.5
Released in 1980, The Silk Road is a documentary film, running about 540 minutes.
What it’s about. The NHK Tokushu and China's CCTV documentary series The Silk Road began on April 7, 1980. The program started with the memorable scene of a camel caravan crossing the desert against the setting sun, with Kitaro's music and a sense of timelessness. It was the start of an epic televisual poem. The first journey described in the series began in Chang'an (now Xi'an), at the eastern end of the ancient route. On 450,000 feet of film, the NHK crew recorded the path westward to the Pamir Heights at the Pakistan border and this material was edited to make 12 monthly broadcasts. In response to viewers' requests that the series be extended to cover the Silk Road all the way to Rome, sequels were made over the next 10 years. Seventeen years after the program was conceived, the project was completed.
How it landed. With an audience score of 9.5/10, The Silk Road sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Silk Road page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Silk Road tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Silk Road (1980)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Silk Road change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Silk Road worth watching?
- The Silk Road holds an audience score of 9.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy documentary. Most viewers rate it highly.
- When was The Silk Road released?
- The Silk Road was released in 1980, with a runtime of about 540 minutes.