History WesternAnimation / CathedralDocumentary

* DarkerAndEdgier: This one depicts construction hazards like ''WesternAnimation/{{Castle}}'' never did, and construction is actually impeded by a corrupt official's actions (and lack thereof). Additionally, the special opens with the destruction of an older cathedral in a fire.

[[SimilarlyNamedWorks Unrelated to]] the English DoomMetal [[Music/CathedralBand band]], or a 2019 {{Metroidvania}} of the [[VideoGame/{{Cathedral}} same name]]. It is also unconnected to ''Animation/TheCathedral'', a 2002 sci-fi animation from Poland.

[[SimilarlyNamedWorks Unrelated to]] the English DoomMetal [[Music/{{Cathedral}} band]], or a 2019 {{Metroidvania}} of the [[VideoGame/{{Cathedral}} same name]]. It is also unconnected to ''Animation/TheCathedral'', a 2002 sci-fi animation from Poland.

* AntiVillain: Bishop Gervais is a greedy jerk who inadvertantly [[spoiler:causes Guillaume's death due to the low-quality stone from his family-owned quarries that he insists be used for the cathedral]]. He also embezzles the chapter funds earmarked for the cathedral and refuses to divide his estate in the common manner to provide charity for the poor. However, at the end of the day he's just greedy rather than outright malicious, and has a few PetTheDog moments such as appearing with Guillaume at a pentecost celebration where he greets the public, respectfully honoring the late Bishop Phillippe after the latter's death, and ultimately accepting the Pope's demand that he renew his vow of crusade.

* ScareChord: Used thrice in connection with [[CorruptChurch Bishop Gervais]]: once when Gervais is introduced, once when Gervais angrily snaps about how his finances are of "no concern of the chapter", and once when one of the chapter members angrily recommends reporting Gervais to the Pope [[spoiler:following the collapse of the cathedral wall and Guillaume's death due to Gervais' penny-pinching.]]

* OneDimensionalThinking: [[spoiler:Master Guillaume just stands there as a wall made from inferior stones collapses on him, crushing him to death.]]

* RealityEnsues: If stones taken from a quarry of inferior quality are used in construction of a massive structure, it ''will'' collapse, and woe betide you if you're anywhere near it as it falls.

* DarkestHour: The end result of Bishop Gervais's stinginess, beginning with [[spoiler:Master Guillaume's death]] and manifesting itself in the form of the project's bankruptcy when it's discovered he embezzled the construction funds. Only the final act of generosity from Thibaut restores everyone's will sufficiently to resume construction.

* OneDimensionalThinking: [[spoiler:Master Guillaume just stands there as a wall made from inferior stones collapses on him, crushing him to death.]]

* DarkestHour: The end result of Bishop Gervais's stinginess, beginning with [[spoiler:Master Guillaume's death]] and manifesting itself in the form of the project's bankruptcy. Only the final act of generosity from Thibaut restores everyone's will sufficiently to resume construction.

Useless trivia: on its premiere on April 30, this was shown as a double-header with the gospel documentary ''Say Amen, Somebody''.

After a cataclysmic fire incinerates the old cathedral in the town of Beaulieu on May 1, 1214, a young boy named Pierre, presumed dead in the conflagration, emerges from the flames with the veil of the virgin, one of the holiest objects in Christendom, in his hands. Taking the miracle as a sign, the town's bishop, Philippe, appoints Pierre to chronicle the construction of a new cathedral, grander and more durable than the one that had come before. After Bishop Philippe and the town's chapter agree upon the initial source of funds for the construction project, a veteran master builder, Guillaume de Solis, is put in charge of the project. Amazed at the scale and hitherto impossibility of the project, Pierre is reassured by Master Guillaume that his techniques, and divine inspiration, will make it not only possible but a reality. The project, known by the name of Notre Dame de Beaulieu, has its ups and downs, and some of the staff is lost to time and other circumstances, but through it all, the project is seen through to its completion after over half a century. In the live-action wrap-around sequences, Macaulay and French actress Caroline Berg explore the real-life cathedrals that served as Macaulay's inspiration for the setting of his story. A standalone version featuring only the animated sequences was also made available.

After a cataclysmic fire incinerates the old cathedral in the town of Beaulieu on May 1, 1214, a young boy named Pierre, presumed dead in the conflagration, emerges from the flames with the veil of the virgin, one of the holiest objects in Christendom, in his hands. Taking the miracle as a sign, the town's bishop, Philippe, appoints Pierre to chronicle the construction of a new cathedral, grander and more durable than the one that had come before. After Bishop Philippe and the town's chapter agree upon the initial source of funds for the construction project, a veteran master builder, Guillaume de Soldi, is put in charge of the project. Amazed at the scale and hitherto impossibility of the project, Pierre is reassured by Master Guillaume that his techniques, and divine inspiration, will make it not only possible but a reality. The project, known by the name of Notre Dame de Beaulieu, has its ups and downs, and some of the staff is lost to time and other circumstances, but through it all, the project is seen through to its completion after over half a century. In the live-action wrap-around sequences, Macaulay and French actress Caroline Berg explore the real-life cathedrals that served as Macaulay's inspiration for the setting of his story. A standalone version featuring only the animated sequences was also made available.

-->'''Pierre''': Twice the height of the old cathedral... heavy stone ceilings... walls of glass... ''[unintelligible stammering]'' it cannot possibly stand!\\

After a cataclysmic fire incinerates the old cathedral in the town of Beaulieu on May 1, 1214, a young boy named Pierre, presumed dead in the conflagration, emerges from the flames with the veil of the virgin, one of the holiest objects in Christendom, in his hands. Taking the miracle as a sign, the town's bishop, Philippe, appoints Pierre to chronicle the construction of a new cathedral, grander and more durable than the one that had come before. After Bishop Philippe and the town's chapter agree upon the initial source of funds for the construction project, a veteran master builder, Guillaume de Soldi, is put in charge of the project. Amazed at the scale and hitherto impossibility of the project, Pierre is reassured by Master Guillaume that his techniques, and divine inspiration, will make it not only possible but a reality. The project, known by the name of Notre Dame de Beaulieu, has its ups and downs, and some of the staff is lost to time and other circumstances, but through it all, the project is seen through to its completion after over half a century. In the live-action wrap-around sequences, Macaulay and French actress Caroline Berg explore the real-life cathedrals that served as Macaulay's inspiration for the setting of his story.

''Cathedral'' is a 1986 Creator/{{PBS}} documentary with fully animated docudrama sequences, adapted from David Macaulay's first book on ancient engineering, ''Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction''. It was produced by Unicorn Productions and presented by WGBH Boston.

* WhamLine: "That moment will be forever engraved in my memory." Almost as soon as Father Pierre says it in his narration, things start to go truly sour for the project as [[spoiler:Master Guillaume is crushed to death under a wall made from Bishop Gervais's stones.

-->'''Master Guillaume''' Is His Grace now a stonemason as well as a bishop?