The Secret File of Marco Polo - Marco Polo in China - Full Historical Documentary

The script opens with a dramatic portrayal of Marco Polo's 13th-century voyage to China, shrouded in doubt and intrigue. It highlights the skepticism surrounding his alleged arrival in China and the legendary tales from his travels that became a bestseller in the Late Middle Ages. Scholars are still searching for definitive proof of Polo's presence at the Chinese Imperial Court, with some suggesting he only reached as far as Constantinople. The narrative then shifts to Marco Polo's imprisonment during a naval war, where he meets Rustichello of Pisa, leading to a fateful collaboration on chronicling Polo's adventures.

This paragraph delves into the backstory of Marco Polo's journey, beginning with his departure at the age of seventeen, accompanied by his father and uncle who had previously reached the court of Kublai Khan. The Mongols' reputation for cruelty and the vastness of their empire are underscored. The script mentions the unique 'courier tablets' or Paiza granted by the Khan, which offered the Polos protection during their travels. The existence of these tablets is confirmed through historical documents, including Marco Polo's testament and his daughter's dowry list.

The narrative continues with the Polos' arduous journey along the Silk Road, facing numerous dangers, including bandits and harsh conditions. The Pax Mongolica is mentioned as a form of protection for merchants, but its effectiveness is questioned. The paragraph also explores the mix of fear and wonder experienced by travelers, as well as the embellishments added by Rustichello to Marco Polo's tales, blurring the line between fact and fiction.

This section questions the authenticity of Marco Polo's travels by pointing out significant omissions in his account, such as the lack of mention of the Great Wall of China and the Buddha caves of Dunhuang. Frances Wood suggests that these omissions might indicate that Polo did not personally visit these sites, casting further doubt on his claims.

The script discusses the absence of the Great Wall in Marco Polo's narrative and hypothesizes that in his time, the wall was in disrepair and not as impressive as it is today. It then confirms the Polos' arrival in China and their eventual audience with Kublai Khan, who had united the empire and founded the Yuan Dynasty. Despite the grandeur of the welcome, Marco Polo's account lacks personal impressions of this pivotal moment.

The paragraph explores the life of Marco Polo at the court of Kublai Khan, including his alleged arrest and pardon, his missions as a tax collector, and the intrigues at court that endangered him. It also highlights the detailed descriptions of the Khan's ceremonies and attire provided by Polo, which are corroborated by Chinese sources, strengthening the argument for his actual presence in China.

This section focuses on Marco Polo's detailed knowledge of the salt trade and the infrastructure of the Yuan Dynasty, including the production process, taxation, and the road system. His descriptions of the salt-making process and the imperial postal system are found to align closely with historical Chinese records, suggesting firsthand experience.

The script highlights Marco Polo's fascination with Chinese bridges, particularly the Lugou Qiao bridge in Beijing, and his detailed descriptions of its construction. It also discusses his account of paper money in China, which was unknown in Europe at the time, and the scientific examination of a 14th-century Chinese banknote that confirms the use of mulberry fibre as he described.

The final paragraph reflects on the controversy surrounding the authenticity of Marco Polo's travels and the impact of his book on the European perception of China. Despite the skepticism and the omissions in his account, his work sparked interest and further study of the medieval world and the East. It also influenced later explorers like Christopher Columbus, who carried a copy of Polo's travels, believing he had found a sea route to Asia.