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The Adventures of Marco Polo
Ever since the 13th Century, the name Marco Polo has conjured up pictures of the most thrilling adventures; the most exotic scenes. Around the travels of this man have been woven countless stories; fantasies surpassing the wildest tales of Baron Munchausen. Yes though this smokescreen, the main story of Marco Polo stands out as clear as ever.
The following book has been based upon certain records of Marco Polo's own story. Gaps in narration have been filled in to make this a dramatic presentation of the travels of the world's most talked of explorer...Marco Polo.
Illustrated by Homer Fleming
The following book has been based upon certain records of Marco Polo's own story. Gaps in narration have been filled in to make this a dramatic presentation of the travels of the world's most talked of explorer...Marco Polo.
Illustrated by Homer Fleming
52 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 1946
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August 25, 2020
Marco Polo's chronicles have been extensively researched over the years and are found wanting on multiple scores by several scholars and experts. Hence they are highly unreliable as to their accuracy and claims. However, they can still be considered somewhat evocative to the extent that some aspects may be accurate and due to the ambition of the Venetian's endeavor (or his rich imagination). This laughable adaptation by Emmanuel Demby is a complete fantasy (much as the original chronicles also often contain the fantastical) - and a deeply orientalist one which converts Marco Polo into a European superhero who single-handedly wins battles, outsmarts legendary hordes and strongmen, coaches ancient generals on warfare, and is picked by the Great Kublai Khan as his prospective son in law. In reality we are not even sure if he actually met him and given his own humble status and the grandeur of the Great Khan whether even if he made it to his court he was allowed any proximity whatsoever. The people of East Asia are literally colored yellow, the East despite its inventions and innovativeness is essentially depicted as a land of mystery and magic (and treachery) and the adaptation would be looked upon as a travesty in any contemporary critical analysis class. Such a pity that this complete fabrication was being fed to kids under the banner of what is otherwise by and large a good series of adaptations.
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