The Marbles, co-written and directed by David Nicholas Wilkinson, was created in response to the continued silence of the British Museum regarding the stolen sculptures from the Parthenon in Greece. The so-called Elgin Marbles were transported to London in the early 19th century and remain a subject of heated controversy to this day. The Greek government maintains that Lord Elgin, through bribery and questionable documentation, had portions of the Parthenon’s sculptures transported from Athens to Britain. The British Parliament, however, long sided with the British Museum, insisting that the acquisition was legitimate.
Filming began on March 25, 2021, marking the 200th anniversary of Greece’s independence — a symbolic choice that underscores the personal and significant nature of this project for the filmmaker. The documentary opens by posing a compelling ethical question: is the removal of cultural artifacts from their homeland, ostensibly for the sake of their preservation, ever truly justified? Unable to secure interviews with British Museum officials, Wilkinson instead turns to an array of experts, historians, and public figures, including Scottish actor Brian Cox, to provide insight and commentary. Through these voices, the film presents numerous case studies that highlight how the repatriation of cultural heritage can be both possible and well-received. One such example is the Glasgow Museum’s return of a Lakota Ghost Dance Shirt to the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in the United States, just one of many instances Wilkinson uses to demonstrate the moral and cultural value of restitution.
“… Marbles were transported from the Greek Parthenon to London in the early 19th century …”
The Marbles is a visually stunning documentary, filled with exquisite cinematography of statues, artifacts, and historic sites, all enhanced by Christopher Barnett’s evocative score and great editing by David Hughes. The storytelling is engaging and methodical, beginning with a broad overview before gradually delving into the finer details, always focusing on what truly matters. While the film is rich in substance, its first half lingers a little too long on side stories that could have been trimmed or paced more briskly.
What ultimately sets The Marbles apart from other documentaries of its kind is its deeply personal nature. This becomes especially apparent when Wilkinson discusses his own health, a moment that lends the film an unexpected emotional depth. Yet this isn’t a manipulative bid for sympathy, rather, it serves as a testament to how profoundly important this cause is to him.
Learn more at the official The Marbles website.
"…deeply personal..."
