Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Marbles

Play trailer Poster for The Marbles 2025 1h 53m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 3 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
THE MARBLES is a compelling new documentary examining one of history's most controversial cultural disputes--the removal of the Parthenon Marbles--and the ongoing campaign to return them to Greece. From imperial acquisition to modern-day advocacy, this is the story of heritage, identity, and justice. In 1801, Lord Elgin controversially removed half the Parthenon's sculptures, sparking a backlash from his contemporaries that continues today. What followed was a 200-year diplomatic battle between Greece and Britain over cultural patrimony. When respected actress and politician Melina Mercouri challenged the British Museum in 1983, she transformed the issue into an international cause that redefined how we think about cultural ownership. This thoughtful documentary, filmed over five years starting on the 200th anniversary of Greek independence, reveals the complexities of museum ethics, cultural policy, and the competing claims surrounding ancient artefacts. From Athens to London, it's a tale of empire, resistance, and redemption--with Scotland emerging as an unlikely hero. The debate continues to evolve, raising fundamental questions about the rightful ownership of ancient treasures. The question isn't just about marble sculptures--it's about how we value and preserve cultural heritage in a post-colonial world.

Critics Reviews

View More (3)
Amber Wilkinson Eye for Film Heartfelt and thorough. Rated: 3/5 Nov 23, 2025 Full Review Jimmy Dzieminski Film Threat What ultimately sets The Marbles apart from other documentaries of its kind is its deeply personal nature. Rated: 8/10 Nov 17, 2025 Full Review Rich Cline Shadows on the Wall With a wide range of beautifully shot interviews and gorgeous location footage, this fascinating documentary grapples with the thorny issue of museums repatriating artefacts to their home nations. Rated: 4/5 Nov 11, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews
The Marbles

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

David Wilkinson

Director

David Wilkinson

Screenwriter

Emlyn Price

Screenwriter

David Wilkinson

Producer

Kate Charles

Executive Producer

Art Dimopoulos

Executive Producer
View All

The Marbles

View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis THE MARBLES is a compelling new documentary examining one of history's most controversial cultural disputes--the removal of the Parthenon Marbles--and the ongoing campaign to return them to Greece. From imperial acquisition to modern-day advocacy, this is the story of heritage, identity, and justice. In 1801, Lord Elgin controversially removed half the Parthenon's sculptures, sparking a backlash from his contemporaries that continues today. What followed was a 200-year diplomatic battle between Greece and Britain over cultural patrimony. When respected actress and politician Melina Mercouri challenged the British Museum in 1983, she transformed the issue into an international cause that redefined how we think about cultural ownership. This thoughtful documentary, filmed over five years starting on the 200th anniversary of Greek independence, reveals the complexities of museum ethics, cultural policy, and the competing claims surrounding ancient artefacts. From Athens to London, it's a tale of empire, resistance, and redemption--with Scotland emerging as an unlikely hero. The debate continues to evolve, raising fundamental questions about the rightful ownership of ancient treasures. The question isn't just about marble sculptures--it's about how we value and preserve cultural heritage in a post-colonial world.
Director
David Wilkinson
Producer
David Wilkinson
Screenwriter
David Wilkinson, Emlyn Price
Production Co
Guerilla Films, Jo Jo Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 53m